Why is my Computer so Slow?
If you are reading this on what used to be a fast computer, but now it has the speed of a Commodore PET (remember those? I do.) then this article could be for you….
In this article I’m going to take about Removing Toolbars, Using CCleaner, Removing items from the systray and using Malwarebytes. While this is really simple for soem users, one can easily make the computer worse by disabling the wrong things. Please, if you do decide to do the below tips, do not blame me if you break something or make it worse. If you have any doubts about doing this yourself, I’m offering a $49 tune-up special which includes all of the below and more.
Plethora of Toolbars
Do you have a lot of toolbars in your browser? Toolbars can slow down your browser. Before you know it, it takes 10 seconds to load a page. Why? Page info has to go through each toolbar and be analyzed. Toolbars spy on users as well, sending your data back to some headquarters where they use it for marketing purposes. Do you like being spied on and having your internet load slower? But, I hear you say you didn’t install any toolbars, they just appeared. You installed them or agreed to install them with other programs. HP Printers include on with their printers, as does a few other programs. Some programs do that thinking you’ll use the toolbar and they will reap the ad dollars. Most of the time they are installed that way. See the photo below? This client (yes, this is a REAL screenshot from a REAL client of mine) didn’t knowingly install any of these, she just installed a bunch of free games and screensavers…
Actual Screenshot. Lots of toolbars. Wonder why so slow?
How to remove toolbars: First open up your browser. I’m guessing if you have a lot of toolbars you use Internet Explorer. Decide which Toolbars you want to keep. Some toolbars are legitimate and useful, most are not. After you’ve written down which ones to get rid of, click on the start menu in the lower left corner(XP users START Button, Vista/W7 it’s the Windows Logo) then click Control Panel, XP users –Add/Remove Programs, Vista/W7- Programs and Features. Now find your toolbars and click remove/uninstall. Be careful here to not remove any important programs you can’t replace. After removing all toolbars, restart your computer.
Cleaning the junk with CCleaner
Chances are if your computer is slow, you also have an abundance of Windows Error files, log files, cache files, etc clogging up the Operating System. This can be easily remedied by a program called CCleaner (short for crap cleaner). If you’ve had your computer worked on my me, you have a folder (probably on the Desktop) named Computer Tools. CCleaner is in that folder. If you don’t have a folder or I haven’t worked on your computer, you can find this program at www.Ccleaner.com
39GB of junk removed with CCleaner
After installing it (be careful to not install the Toolbar), click Run Cleaner. A prompt will alert you that you are permanently deleting files. Click OK or next. The green bar will scroll across the top and that’s it, your operating system is free of junk.
Too many programs in the Startup menu
Look down near the clock in the lower right hand corner. Do you have a ton of icons down there? Are you running more than one antivirus? To many people end up installing two or three anti-viruses because the first one expired or someone told them to do it.
Weatherbug? Quicktime? Microsoft Messenger? Yahoo Messenger? If they are, ask yourself if you use them.
Programs near the clock running in the background make your computer slow
If you have programs near the clock that you don’t use or can identify, go to the control panel and remove these programs like the toolbars in the first step. Some items are legitimate and useful, most are not. After you’ve written down which ones to get rid of, click on the start menu in the lower left corner(XP users START Button, Vista/W7 it’s the Windows Logo) then click Control Panel, XP users –Add/Remove Programs, Vista/W7- Programs and Features. Now find your programs and click remove/uninstall. Be careful here to not remove any important programs you can’t replace. After removing all toolbars, restart your computer.
You can also disable some of those programs using CCleaner – Tools – Startup then disabling what you do not use. This however, can cause more problems if you do not know what you are disabling. It is possible to make the computer worse. Be careful if you do this option.
Malware/Spyware
Another reason your computer could be slow is Malware or Spyware. Malware or Spyware runs in the background and sends information out. It causes windows to not operate properly and while sometimes is harmless, sometimes can have a devastating effect on your privacy. Ever wonder why your email keeps getting hacked? Could be malware. Malware can be defined as computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, scareware, crimeware, most rootkits, and other malicious and unwanted software or programs.
I didn't feel spied on. Felt a little sluggish though...
The best solution for Malware or Spyware is Malwarebytes AntiMalware. You can find it online at www.malwarebytes.org I recommend buying the Pro version as it runs in the background and scans everything your computer reads and writes, versus the free passive version.
After downloading and running Malwarebytes, you should update it before running a scan. Always run a full scan. After running, the program will prompt you to remove all or some of the objects. When in doubt, remove them all.
If after doing all this, your computer is still slow or acting funny, you should seek the help of a professional. A hardware solution or a reinstall of Windows is the best solution in severe cases.
Don’t feel like trying this yourself? Call me, I have a $49 tune up special where I do all of the above plus make sure your antivirus and other programs are up to date.