Why Your Computer Runs Slow

By: John Frauman

Computer Runs Slow?

It is a sure fact that an old computer runs slow, in comparison to the time when it was new. Don't worry, you're not alone. However how much your computer slows down and what point it becomes intolerable might vary.

Different computers slow down to different extents in their lifetime. Some may freeze up constantly whereas others might just lag. Everybody should have a computer that works effectively and properly. If your computer runs slow to the point that it's impossible to get any work done, keep reading.

Apart from aging and general wear there are a few reasons why your computer could run slow.

Issues with the hard disk are one primary cause of a slow running computer. Over time, hard disks can become fragmented. Files are stored in various locations, taking longer for your computer to access information.

Another reason of hard disk problem can be lack of free disk space, which may lead to memory and swap file related issues. At times, data stored on the hard disk becomes corrupt resulting in a lot of time spent in processing this corrupt data.

In order to avoid these issues you should defragment the hard disk and clean up unnecessary data on a regular schedule. Windows has two tools known as Disk Cleanup and Disk Degragmenter that can easily do this for you.

When your computer gets too hot, it will also run slowly. Several factors can cause a system to overheat. Many times this can be caused by dirt inside the computer or by broken CPU or SMPS fans. Open up your computer every 3 months or so and clean out the dust that has build up inside. And if you find the fan is not working, replace it as quickly as possible.

Corruption in operating system data and the drivers that control your devices can also make a computer run slow. You can utilize the "sfc" command to locate and replace any corrupt data files associated with Windows in your computer. Or it may be necessary to reinstall Windows using the Windows setup disk.

To fix issues with driver files, you may need to uninstall and then reinstall the corrupt driver. Sometimes, updating a driver to a newer version may also help.

Viruses and other malware can also cause a computer to run slow. A virus can enter into your system through something you connect to your computer or through something you've downloaded from the internet. They can come attached to emails, disguised as other files, as scripts or viruses that infect your system through the internet which come in many forms. It is essential that you have a excellent virus protection software installed on your computer that can protect your system from viruses in real time and can also remove existing infections from the system.

It is vital to update these programs and their database of known viruses regularly.

Another major reason due to which your computer runs slow might be because of a registry filled with 'registry junk'. This happens when registry keys and values become outdated. Generally registries contain values that refer to important settings on your machine. Sometimes, when a program is uninstalled or other changes are made, the files that saved these settings just sit there as junk. Also, malware installed on a computer might change registry values and entries.

And this slows down not only your registry, but your computer too. To stop your computer from running slow you should find a reputable registry cleaning software tool that can scan the registry for useless data and purge it.

About the Author

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