Several things can make a computer slow. A slow computer loads files at the speed of a turtle, takes forever to open new windows and prevents work from getting done as quickly as possible. Learning how a computer that once was fast goes to being slow can help you know why the computer slows but also how to prevent it from slowing down and ultimately having a hard drive crash.
Software Programs
Software programs are preloaded onto a new computer. This can be Windows (any version), games, paint programs, Word programs or many others. Some software programs are needed to use the computer, and some software programs get downloaded over time. Often these programs, once downloaded, get placed in the start-up menu of your computer. This additional information loads when the computer gets turned on. This takes time and slows the computer down drastically if there are a lot of software programs to load. Keeping software programs to a minimum of what you use consistently and getting rid of the rest can make the computer load faster.
Space and Storage
Each program on a computer takes up space on its hard drive. Computers with older processors have smaller amounts of available space. Newer computers offer a variety of space options when they are purchased. Some of the preloaded software programs on the computer take up space. Each new software, application or service that is added to the computer takes up more and more of this space. As this space gets used up there is little space left to run new software programs. The full storage makes a computer slow because of all the information it must process in the storage space. This space cannot be upgraded directly on the computer, but an external hard drive can be purchased to give the computer you are using more available space. Another way to add more space onto the computer is to go into the "My Computer" tab, right click on "Local Hard Drive," click on "Properties," and see how much space is taken up on the computer and how much available space is left. If the open space is small, click on "Disc Cleanup" to compress old files and remove temporary ones that may have been added to the computer you were while on the Internet.
Too Many Applications
Doing too many things at once on the computer can make it operate slowly. Opening up email in one window and doing Internet searches in another window, while uploading pictures from a digital camera while running instant messenger services, can slow down a computer so much that it may even freeze up. All of these programs take time for a computer to process, load and function. When too many applications are opened the computer has to take its time loading them properly, which means it will finish loading the first application completely before moving on to the next application. This can make all the other applications seem like they are taking forever to load. Running one application at a time and closing out an application before using another can make a computer run much faster.
Viruses
When a computer gets a virus from another computer, a program or wherever computer viruses come from, it will slow down. Files may get erased or corrupted. Personal information can be hacked into, or the computer may crash and come to a complete halt. Using an anti-virus program can keep the computer free of bugs and viruses. It will let you know if files are corrupt or if a virus is suspected. An anti-virus program can speed up a computer where a virus will ultimately shut it down.
Internet Connections and Browsers
Internet access speeds up the time in which it takes you to get information and to entertain yourself. A dial-up connection runs Internet service through a phone line. This connection is very slow compared to new, faster Internet service technologies like DSL and cable. Having a dial-up Internet service can make a computer slow because it takes longer to transfer the information. High-speed Internet services speed up web loading times because they are designed to connect at higher speeds. Internet browsers can also cause a computer to be slow. Browsers that do not function well with the computer's operating system can make the wait time for computer pages to be loaded long and painful. Updating the browser or changing your browser can make Internet pages load faster.
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