This article was written by Kate Willer. She likes social networks, Google Android and psychology. She is interested in IT services, computer upgrades, computer repair, and different computer apps. In her downtime she likes to travel and ski.
From viruses to spyware, clogged registries to lack of hard drive space, there are plenty of different factors that can have a serious impact on the speed of a computer system. In order to combat these issues, it is essential for savvy computer users to keep their machine carefully maintained. Once a computer becomes sluggish, it can be difficult to complete everyday tasks, such as opening files or browsing on the Internet. Other activities that require more processor power may become next to impossible. If your computer has begun suffering from poor processing speeds, use the following tips to help identify and resolve the issue.
1. Check for and Remove Spyware and Viruses
Spyware and viruses are perhaps the number one cause of speed issues on personal and business computers. Many viruses are constantly at work in the background, relaying information elsewhere and searching for data on the hard drive. Not only do these cumbersome infections represent a major nuisance in terms of the effects they can have on the computer, they also are a major safety risk for the computer owner. Eradicating such issues will have twofold benefits for the computer system.
When removing spyware and viruses, there are several different solutions available. It is always advisable to use a program from an established developer, rather than simply looking for freeware on the Internet. Trusted antivirus firms have developed sophisticated algorithms that can easily identify the latest viral infections, as well as remove them from the infected machine. Once the computer has been successfully restored to health, it is advisable to deploy one of these programs permanently on the computer system. Not only will this protect from further infection, but it will help to keep the computer functioning efficiently and safely.
My favorite tool for this is Antimalware Doctor from MalwareGuide.net.
2. Make Disk Space Available
A healthy computer requires a decent amount of disk space in order to conduct processes that make the programs on the machine work. When no disk space is available, the computer has to work overtime trying to complete simple tasks. Many computer owners do not realize the impact that a crowded hard drive can have on their computer’s performance. This is why it is so imperative for disks to have free space that can be used at will by the machine.
The easiest way to free up space is simply to remove files that are no longer needed. Many computers become bloated with photos, documents, and music that the computer user does not utilize. Removing these files can help to free up precious space.
Software applications represent another area of the machine that could potentially free up space for the system to utilize. If an application cannot be easily identified, it may be a spyware program. If this is the case, it will need to be removed with antivirus software. Other applications that are not in use can also be removed to help free up space.
Once unnecessary applications and files have been deleted from the machine, there are several other areas that can be explored. Temporary Internet files, downloads, the recycle bin, and additional Windows components all represent potential free space on many machines. You may wish to empty these receptacles to open up more disk space.
Windows has a built in Disk Cleanup program that can take care a lot of this. There are also commercial options available depending on your preferences.
3. Upgrade Programs on the Computer
Running an older version of a software program can have a serious effect on the overall speed of the application in question. Many computer users put off new versions of their favorite programs, not wanting to invest the time downloading and reinstalling an update. Many of these updates allow the program to function more efficiently, making it important to complete these upgrades as they become available. If the computer is running an older version of Windows, an update to a new operating system could also have a powerful impact on the machine’s overall speed.
4. Repair the Disk
It is not uncommon for a PC to begin exhibiting disk errors, which in turn can cause the computer to have problems accessing data or completing simple tasks. The Error Checking tool included with Windows is a great way to ascertain that files stored on the machine have not been corrupted. The Error Checker is a great way to look for any issues that may be causing the drive to malfunction, in turn having a negative overall effect on the computer’s processing speeds.
Windows has the ability to check your hard drives for errors and correct anything it finds. Of course, there are also commercial programs that can help with this as well.
Using a slow computer can be a frustrating and debilitating experience. Rather than simply learning to live with slow processing speeds, using these tips, users should be able to restore a PC to like-new condition in no time. Remember, it is always easier to keep a computer maintained successfully than attempt to resolve a larger problem in the future. By continually spending time keeping a machine updated and clean, computer users can diminish the potential for issues in the future.
