Same Old Question: Why is My Computer So Slow All of a Sudden?

Summary: Explore the many reasons that computers slow down and simple ways to make computers run faster. Computer maintenance can keep laptops and desktops running at peak performance.

Few things are more frustrating than slow computers. Whether you are experiencing long bootups, slow processing or slow-loading software applications, it all contributes to slowing down your workflow. Ironically, these frustrating computer speed issues can affect older and newer computers equally.

If you are frustrated and wondering why your computer is so slow all of a sudden or has been slowing down gradually, do not let desperation set in. Before you decide it is time to buy a new computer, there are a few simple steps you can try to speed things up.

How To Make Computers Faster

Understanding how computers store and process data will help you make decisions that can improve computer speed on all your devices. Take a few minutes to try these steps to make your computers run faster:

• Restart Your Computer – You might get back some operational speed by simply restarting your computer. Restarts should be done every few days to clear the RAM cache and remove unnecessary temporary files. This is also the first thing an IT technician will try with malfunctioning computers and phones. Sometimes it may be necessary to restart twice.
• Manually Delete All Temporary Files – You can manually delete all temporary files at any time. Deleting temporary files will instantly free up some space, and that helps computers run faster. A simple internet search will show you how to delete temporary files on your type of computer.
• If You Don’t Use It, Lose It – Many of us keep programs bundled with our computers or purchased for a specific project we completed years ago. These applications take up hard drive space and may also be running in the background without your knowledge, thereby consuming RAM. Delete unused programs to speed up your computer.
• Remove Unnecessary Startup Programs – By reducing the number of programs that are set to load with every bootup, you can speed up the time it takes to start up your computer. It will also eliminate these programs from running in the background.
• Analyze Hard Drive Storage – Hard drives constantly search active storage regions to perform your commands. As a result, as the hard drive storage gets fuller, it takes your computer much longer to find the files requested and access them for use. Free up space by deleting items from the hard drive.
• Increase RAM Memory – Random Access Memory or RAM is the memory that allows your programs and data you have opened to remain readily available. The more programs opened simultaneously, the more RAM you will need to maintain operating speed. RAM is a relatively easy and cost-effective fix to speed things up. Close some tabs to improve speed.
• Run a Defragmenting Utility – As already noted, an overloaded hard drive can slow everything down. By running a Disk Defragment Utility, you can automatically organize and condense data in appropriate regions on the storage drive and remove any blank regions. Running a defrag utility will also show you what data takes up the most space. This knowledge will allow you to see if there are additional files you may delete to free up space. Many computers can have this function set to run automatically each week.
• Run Overall Disk Cleanup – Running a Disk Cleanup searches for and creates a “cleaning list” of possible items to delete. When completed, it will ask you if you would like to delete the selected files, including:
  • Unnecessary program files that can be safely deleted
  • Internet cache files
  • Temporary files
• Switch To a Solid-State Drive – By using solid-state drives or SSDs rather than hard drives (HDDs), your storage will be more reliable and last longer. SSDs have no moving parts, like a spinning hard disk. Therefore, less power is required. By using less power, laptop users will enjoy longer battery life. This suggestion will probably require the services of a professional IT repair company.

Speed Up Computers With Regular IT Maintenance

Maintaining multiple computers in a small business may take up considerable time. If computer maintenance is neglected, productivity is affected and work can come to a halt during malfunctions, leaving employees idle while waiting for diagnosis and repairs. Consider using a managed IT service that specializes in small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). This is an affordable solution for companies that do not require a full-time in-house IT employee. With managed IT services (sometimes referred to as outsourced IT), maintenance and repairs are quickly handled by an IT expert familiar with your systems and devices, and you only need one contact for all IT services. They can also provide technology user training, purchase consultations and suggest technology solutions that can improve business productivity and modernization.