One of the most frustrating parts of owning a computer is slow loading times. You’re ready to go, but your computer needs another coffee. Don’t panic. Even though your first assumption may be that it’s time to buy a new one, this isn’t always the case. Here are some of the most common reasons why your computer may be running slowly and what you can do to fix it.
Virus
Unfortunately, this is usually the first thing that people assume is going on. While it’s not always the case, it is an important possibility to consider. People over the age of 80 are some of the most vulnerable to virus attacks since they aren’t always familiar with the latest methods.
If you ever receive an email from an identified source which contains an attachment, don’t open it—the same thing goes for visiting unsecured websites that look suspicious.
Always err on the side of caution when navigating in your browser because it unfortunately can lead to malicious software being installed on your computer. To verify whether you have a virus or not, you should run an antivirus program which scans your computer. In the event that you do determine that you have a virus, you should take it to your nearest repair center and ask them to make a fix.
Too Many Programs Open
If you notice that your computer is running extremely slowly, ask yourself how many programs you have open. If you have many programs and browser tabs open, then you’re asking your computer’s memory to work on overdrive.
Close everything out and restart your computer. Chances are that upon rebooting you’ll find that it’s performance is much faster.
Low Memory
All computers come with a certain amount of memory. Memory is directly linked to how fast your computer can process everything it does. If you bought a computer which is low on memory, then eventually your computer is going to start lagging. Consider upgrading from more memory, and you’ll find a significant difference in how fast your computer runs.
Hard Drive is Maxed Out
Do you download a lot of files? Do you have a considerable amount of photos on your computer? If you have a hard drive that’s packed to the brim, then chances are it’s going to start affecting your computer’s performance. Consider deleting temporary files or old files that you don’t need anymore to make space in your hard drive.
Otherwise, if you find that it’s filled with mostly things you can’t possibly part with, then you should buy an external hard drive to keep your most precious files on the outside of your computer. If you’re not sure how to transfer these files to an external hard drive, then you should ask a tech expert to give you a hand.
