My computer is running slow. How do I speed up my PC?

It’s inevitable. No matter how fancy your desktop or laptop was when you bought it, over time, your computer will start to slow down. But don’t worry, most computer performance issues are fixable! Here we’ll walk you through a few simple steps for even the most non-tech-savvy among us can use to dramatically speed up a sluggish PC.

Clean out your closet (that is, your computer’s storage)

One of the most common problems with the PC performance is simply lack of space on the hard drive. If you are like most people, most of the files taking up space on your hard drive are just sitting there collecting digital dust. Thankfully, you can easily clean up unwanted files and folders with free applications like Advanced SystemCare 15 (Free) or cheap options like Restoro (starts at $27).

Make friends with the task manager

Often the reason your computer appears to be moving at a glacial pace is because the programs you are trying to use are being bogged down by a number of other programs running in the background. Many of these background programs are unnecessary (or unintentionally installed). Periodically checking for - and shutting down - these sneaky, CPU-memory-sucking programs can significantly improve the performance right away.

Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Ctrl+Shift+Esc will usually bring up the Task Manager, you can see all the applications that are currently running on your PC and shut down those that aren’t being used.

Stop the problem before it starts(up)

Every application on your computer wants your attention and many of them want to launch as soon as you start your computer. That means, every time you boot up, your PC is tasked with a deluge of program launches, each chewing up precious memory whether you actually need, or want, those programs to run in the first place.

Programs like Quicktime, Adobe reader, Zoom, and Skype are great when you are using them, but there is (usually) no need to have them launched and ready to go as soon as you start your PC. To stop this startup typhoon, navigate to your PC’s Settings and find the “Apps” tab. From there you’ll want to look for the “Startup” section at the bottom of the menu. There you can toggle on and off (but, for this exercise, ideally off) the programs that you want to launch immediately.

Still having trouble?

If you’ve tried the DIY fix and you are still experiencing sub-par performance from your PC, it is possible that the issue is a hardware problem or something else entirely. Don’t worry, though, because TekDash’s experienced professional technicians can help restore your PC with both remote and on-site hardware services. If you’ve got a slow PC problem, book your TekDash service appointment today.