5 Simple Tips to Speed up Your Computer when it’s Running Slowly

A slow computer can be extremely frustrating and greatly impact your workday and productivity. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to speed up your computer that take very little time and require little or no assistance at all. The five steps below will get your computer running like it's brand new out of the box again.

Remove Unused Programs and Files

One of the easiest ways to speed up your computer is to remove any unused programs and files. These files/programs take up valuable space and slow down your computer's performance. You can use the built-in uninstaller on your computer to remove any programs that you no longer use. For Windows, you can simply type “Add or Remove Programs” in the search bar. Additionally, deleting unnecessary and unused files can help free up space and improve your computer's speed. One last thing after you have deleted your files - empty your recycling bin!

Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Many programs will launch automatically when you start your computer. This slows down your computer's startup time and overall performance. To disable unnecessary startup programs, you can use the task manager on your computer. Your task manager will show you a list of programs that launch automatically. Form there, you're able to disable the ones you don't need to launch at startup. 

Run a Virus Scan

If your computer is running slowly, it's possible that it has been infected with a virus or malware. Running a virus scan can help you identify and remove any malicious software on your computer. You can use a third-party antivirus program or the built-in Windows Defender to run a virus scan.

Partnering with a managed network services provider like Coordinated can help ensure your devices are being consistently monitored and protected from viruses and malware. (If you're interested in chatting about this, you can contact us here.) 

Update Your Operating System and Drivers

Updating your operating system and drivers can help improve your computer's performance. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. To update your operating system and drivers, you can go to your computer's settings and look for the option to update. Many computers allow you to turn on automatic updates as well, keeping your software up to date at all times. 

Upgrade Your Hardware

If your computer is still running slowly after trying the above tips, it may be time to upgrade your hardware. This can include getting a new computer, adding more RAM, or upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) rather than a hard disk drive (HDD). These upgrades can significantly improve your computer's performance and speed.

There are several ways to speed up your computer. By removing unused programs and files, disabling unnecessary startup programs, running a virus scan, updating your operating system and drivers, and upgrading your hardware, you can improve your computer's performance and speed.