Why Is My Computer So Slow? 9 Ways to Speed It Up
A computer that used to be quick and now takes minutes to open anything usually has a specific cause, and age is only one possibility. Most of the causes can be fixed.
These are the fixes we try, roughly in the order we’d try them.
1. Restart it properly
Many people haven’t restarted their computer in weeks. On Windows, “Shut down” with Fast Startup turned on doesn’t fully clear memory, so use Restart instead. On a Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart.
If the computer is noticeably faster afterwards, a program is probably using more and more memory the longer it runs.
2. Check what’s using your resources
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and sort by CPU, Memory and Disk. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor (search for it with Cmd + Space).
If one program stays near the top of the list, start there. A browser with dozens of open tabs is often the culprit.
3. Cut down startup programs
Every app that launches at startup competes for memory and processor time.
- Windows: open Task Manager, go to Startup apps, and disable anything you don’t need right away.
- Mac: go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
Leave your antivirus and cloud-sync tools such as OneDrive turned on. Most other things can go.
4. Free up storage space
Once your drive is more than about 90% full, the whole computer slows down. Delete old downloads, empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, and move large photo and video folders to an external drive or cloud storage.
On Windows, Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense can clean up temporary files automatically.
5. Scan for malware
Adware and hidden crypto-mining software can make a fast computer crawl. Run a full scan with Windows Security, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, and then a second scan with another tool such as Malwarebytes.
If you see pop-ups, browser redirects or warnings telling you to call a “support number”, those are scams. Read about our virus and malware removal before you call anyone.
6. Install updates
Windows and macOS updates often include performance and security fixes. Check Settings > Windows Update or System Settings > General > Software Update, and update your web browser too.
7. Clean up your web browser
A browser full of extensions can make the whole computer feel slow. Remove any extension you don’t recognise and close tabs you aren’t using. If it’s still sluggish, resetting the browser to its default settings often helps.
8. Check for overheating
A laptop that is hot to the touch, with its fans running loudly, may be slowing itself down to avoid damage. After a few years, dust often builds up inside the vents. Use the laptop on a hard surface rather than a bed or couch, and consider having the inside cleaned.
9. Upgrade to an SSD
If your computer still has a spinning hard drive, replacing it with a solid-state drive (SSD) makes the biggest difference of any upgrade here. Startup that used to take several minutes often drops to under a minute. More RAM helps too if you regularly run out of memory.
| Upgrade | Typical improvement | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hard drive to SSD | Very large | Computers with a spinning hard drive |
| More RAM | Moderate | People who keep many programs or tabs open |
| Clean reinstall | Moderate to large | Computers with years of built-up software |
When to call a technician
Get help if:
- The computer is still slow after the steps above
- You hear clicking or grinding, which can mean the drive is failing (back up your files now)
- You see blue screens or random restarts
- You’d rather not open the computer yourself for an SSD or RAM upgrade
We speed up computers for homes and businesses across Victoria, Saanich and Langford. A tune-up can often be done remotely in under an hour, and we do hardware upgrades on-site.