One day, it might seem like it’s running fine. The next, it’s slowing down to a crawl. This is a problem that a lot of PC and Mac users experience, e
One day, it might seem like it’s running fine. The next, it’s slowing down to a crawl. This is a problem that a lot of PC and Mac users experience, especially as the devices get a little older. However, it’s not always an irreversible sign of aging. There might be plenty you can do to help your computer speed back up, if only you’re able to identify what the cause might be.
Is it your computer or is it the internet?
Since many of us use our computers mostly as a means to access the internet, it can be easy to confuse when it’s a bad connection slowing you down with a problem affecting the computer. If the slowdown happens when you’re trying to access websites or other online apps, then it might be a problem with the internet speed that needs a different approach. If it’s slowing down your ability to access files and software stored on your computer, that’s a different story and you should read on.
You have too much stuff
Simply put, too much clutter on your PC is going to start slowing it down. If you’re near or over 90% of your hard drive capacity, you should expect things to get slower as it takes longer for the computer to find the files that you’re looking for. To that end, clearing temporary files, deleting software that you don’t use, and using tools such as those seen in this post can help you clear duplicates. Once you clear some space on your drive, you might find that it’s a lot easier to find and run the files you want.
Your hard drive is breaking down
Not only can hard drives slow when they fill up, but they also start to break down over time. It’s a natural part of the wear and tear that affects many computers, usually within three years if it’s used constantly. You can use functions in your PC or Mac (such as the Desk Utility tool on Macs or the “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” function on Windows) to try and salvage hard drives. However, as you can see on this page, solid-state drives may work as a replacement since they don’t have the same problem and usually take ten years to start failing, instead.
You may have malware
It’s easier to find malware such as viruses and spyware on your computer than you might think. Phishing scams and other fake emails and links often contain viruses that you might not be aware of. Aside from corrupting, stealing, or otherwise modifying data on your computer, these viruses may also run processes that can start slowing it right down or cause other programs to run in ways that start affecting the performance of the computer, as well. Downloading high-quality anti-malware software to keep your computer safe is crucial.
Computers are complicated beasts, so there may be plenty of reasons that they’re starting to slow down. Hopefully, the tips above help you identify some of the potential causes and what you can do to stop them.
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