Help! My PC is slow
Can you knit a sweater or wash the car in the time it takes your PC to open a file? If your PC has suddenly started running slower than normal, there are a few tips you can use to make it run faster.
Have you done anything new?
Try removing any newly installed hardware, such as a printer, or uninstalling any newly installed applications, such as a computer game, and see if that resolves the problem. Make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements recommended by the hardware manufacturer or software publisher before installing anything new.
Reboot your computer
Are you one of those people who leaves their computer on for days or weeks at a time? If so, temporary files will build up on your hard disk, taking up space in your computer’s memory and clogging up other resources. By rebooting, or restarting, your computer, you can clear out these temporary files and improve your PC’s performance.
Verify your system resources
People get computers for various reasons: e-mail, Internet access, games, word processing. Make sure your computer’s RAM (or memory), hard disk space, and other components are adequate for what you’re using the computer for.
Run the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner
The Windows Live OneCare safety scanner can help you increase your computer’s performance by removing temporary files, cleaning the registry, and fixing disk fragmentation. Such optimization can help your PC run more efficiently.
To remove obsolete temporary files and invalid registry items that can accumulate on your hard disk over time and slow down your PC, go to the Clean Up Center and click Clean Up Scan. Temporary files and stray registry items can be safely removed without deleting any data needed by your computer.
To fix hard disk fragmentation, which allows your PC to find all the pieces of a file faster because it only has to look in one place for them, go to the Tune Up Center and click Tune Up Scan.
If you’ve never defragmented your hard disk or cleaned out temporary files, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve last done so, run the full service scan to do it all in one fell swoop!
Scan for viruses
Malicious code (also known as malware)—such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, and worms—uses your computer’s resources to do all sorts of nasty things to it, including causing it to slow down. One of the most important aspects of the protection scanner is its ability to check your PC for malicious software.
How long the scan will take varies, and can depend on such things as your processor speed, the amount of memory your computer has, and how many issues the scanner finds. Generally, a complete scan will take anywhere from two to five minutes.
Ideally, you should run the full service scanner at least once a month, but if your computer is running slower than normal or programs don’t seem to be behaving the way they should, you might want to run the scan before then.
Try starting in safe mode
Normally, when you start your computer, Windows loads a huge amount of data into your computer’s memory. In safe mode, however, you only have access to basic files and drivers (for example, mouse, monitor, keyboard, default system services, and no network connections). Therefore, the processor is only running at a fraction of its capacity.
If your system is significantly faster in safe mode, one or more applications or drivers may be causing the slowdown in normal mode. If you’ve recently added new software or a new device, try uninstalling it or removing the hardware to see if your computer speeds up.
To start in safe mode:
1. Click Start, then click Shut Down.
2. Click Restart, then click OK.
3. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.
On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears.
4. Select Safe Mode, then press ENTER.
