My Computer Is Running Slow, What Steps Can I Do To Fix It?

Step 1 : Reboot

If your computer has not been rebooted recently, make sure to reboot it before following any of the steps below.

Step 2 : Background programs

One of the most common reasons for a slow computer are programs running in the background. Remove or disable any TSRs and start-up programs that automatically start each time the computer boots.

Tip: To see what programs are running in the background and how much memory and CPU they are using, open Task Manager.

Step 3 : Antivirus

If you have an antivirus scanner on the computer, spyware protection program, or another security utility, make sure it is not scanning your computer in the background.

If a scan is in progress, it can decrease the overall performance of your computer. If this is the case, allow the scan to complete, and the computer's performance should improve.

Step 4 : Run Registry cleaner

We normally do not recommend Registry cleaners. However, if you have followed all of the above steps and your computer is still slow, try running a Registry cleaner on the computer.

Step 5 : Free hard drive space

Verify that there is at least 200-500MB of free hard drive space.

Step 6 : Bad, Corrupted or Fragmented hard drive

Run Chkdsk, or something equivalent to verify there is nothing physically wrong with the computer's hard drive.

Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order

Step 7 : Scan for Malware

Today, spyware and other malware is a big cause of many computer problems, including a slow computer.

Even if an antivirus scanner is installed on the computer, we recommend running a malware scan on the computer.

Use the free version of Malwarebytes to scan your computer for malware.

Step 8 : Scan for viruses

If your computer is infected with one or more viruses, this can cause your computer to run slow.

If your computer does not have an antivirus program installed, you can run Trend Micro's free Housecall online utility to scan for viruses on your computer, as well as remove them.

It is also recommended that you install an antivirus program for active protection against viruses.

Step 9  :Hardware conflicts

Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts. If any exist, resolve these issues as they could be the cause of your problem.

Step 10 : Update your drivers

Make sure you have the latest drivers for your computer hardware, especially the latest video drivers.

Having out-of-date drivers can cause an assortment of issues, including slow performance.