Your computer is your lifeblood. It connects you to your social circle. Keeps you up at night while you binge-watch your favourite Netflix show. And it also is a safe haven for all of your documents, pictures, and other digital files. Over time, however, you’ll notice your computer speed may be going down, and accessing your favourite websites or streaming a movie takes longer to load than normal.
A slow computer is a great way to test someone’s patience, and there’s nothing more frustrating than sitting behind a frozen screen that refuses to load. If you’re pulling your hair out screaming at your computer, it’s time to take action and troubleshoot these computer problems. Take a look below at the best ways to increase your computer speed so you can browse happy again.
Remove Bloatware
When you first buy a computer, you may think the first time you turn it on is the fastest it will ever be. Contrary to popular belief, this notion isn’t true. Computer manufacturers, such as HP, Apple, and Dell all have contracts with certain merchandise companies and pre-install their products on your computer. These pre-installed products and services are commonly referred to as bloatware. Bloatware can come in a variety of forms, including:
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Games:
Computers with Windows 10, for example, are pre-loaded with a bunch of games such as Candy Crush Soda Saga, Bubble Witch 3, and March of Empires.
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Trialware:
When you purchase a computer, you’ll notice there are numerous software available to you for a limited time, such as security software like Norton and McAfee.
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Apps:
When you first turn on your computer, you’ll also notice that there are a bunch of apps you never downloaded, such as Skype, Netflix, Groove Music, OneNote, and more.
How To Remove Bloatware?
All of these games, apps, and trialware take up a large chunk of memory on your computer, and cause your computer speed to reach dead low. If you’re wondering how to remove bloatware, follow these steps:
Step 1
Open your control panel by accessing it from your desktop, search bar, or by clicking Window + I at the same time. Once here, select “Apps.”
Step 2
Once you’re in the “Apps & Features” tab, browse through all of the programs, games, and apps downloaded on your computer. You can also categorize them by date of installation or by size.
Step 3
As you browse through the apps, programs, and games, you can click the “Uninstall” button. Clicking this will remove the program from your computer, and you’ll begin to notice more space opening up on your computer.
Perform a Virus Scan for An Improved Computer Speed
Once you’ve combed through the bloatware bogging down your computer, it’s worth running a virus scan using a security software. While Norton and McAfee are considered bloatware because they’re pre-loaded onto your computer, they come in handy when a malicious virus decides to attack your computer. Performing a security scan is a great way to find spyware and viruses that are slowing down your computer and cause your computer to lag.
Clear Your Browser
Another reason your computer may be running slow is because of your browser. Some web browsers run faster than others, so if you’re on Internet Explorer, for example, try switching over to Google Chrome. Additionally, each time you conduct a search, scroll through a website, click an ad, or make a purchase, your computer stores that information in what’s known as the cache.
Over time, all of this information can pile up and cause your web browser to run slow. This is an easy fix, where all you have to do is go to your browser’s settings and clear your cookies, cache, and history. Lastly, make sure your Internet connection is up to speed, too. A weak WiFi signal can be another reason your web pages aren’t loading.
Get Rid of Unused Programs
Along with bloatware, there may be other programs on your computer you no longer use. If this is the case, it’s time to do a nice cleanse and get rid of old programs that are slowing down your PC or laptop. Depending on how long you’ve had your computer, there may programs you completely forgot about, such as a photo editing app you downloaded four years ago. The process of getting rid of unused programs is the same as removing bloatware. To speed up your Windows PC, all you have to do is go to the control panel, browse through all of your programs, and uninstall the ones you no longer use.
Reduce Programs that Run at Startup
If you turn your computer on and realize it’s taking forever to get up and running, you may have too many programs running at startup. Some programs are necessary, such as your antivirus software. However, some programs are unnecessary, such as Adobe Acrobat. To see which programs are running at startup on your Windows computer, follow these steps:
Step 1
Click on the Windows button and type “msconfig” in the search bar.
Step 2
When you click on the “System Configuration” box, it’ll open. From there, click on the “Startup” tab.
Step 3
Once on the “Startup” tab, click “Open Task Manager.”
Step 4
Once you’re in “Task Manager,” click on the programs you don’t want to run at startup and click “Disable.”
Feeling Ready To Get A Faster Computer?
A slow computer can be the bane of our existence. To save your voice from screaming and head from pounding after dealing with a slow computer, take the time to do some maintenance. From removing bloatware to getting rid of viruses and cleaning up your browser, you’ll be able to surf the web with ease.
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