Try this first
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but before you do anything else, restart your computer. “This long-standing maxim can work wonders,”
While you’re at it, make sure that your operating system is fully
updated by running Windows Update. Neglecting updates could deprive you
of important bug and performance fixes.
If you’re having problems with a peripheral, try switching it on and
off. If that doesn’t work, try disconnecting and reconnecting the
device. As a last resort, download the latest drivers and perform a full
reinstall.
My computer is too slow
The first step to fixing a slow computer is to verify that your machine
is the actual source of the problem. Videos that seem to buffer forever,
and websites that take ages to load, may not be your computer’s fault.
Geek Squad agent Derek Meister claims that many people mistakenly
identify a slow system as the problem when “it’s actually not the
computer, [but] their broadband connection.” See “Downloads are taking
forever” below for instructions on how to use Speedtest.net to diagnose a
slow connection.
If the problem is your PC, check whether you have plenty of free space
on the hard drive holding your operating system. Windows needs room to
create files while your system is running. If your hard drive is maxed
out, performance suffers. Now is the perfect time to clear some space.
Microsoft’s System Configuration tool is your next-best bet for tackling
slow performance. Many applications launch automatically when your
machine boots up, which can stretch out boot time—especially on older,
slower PCs. Make a habit of trimming the startup items. Open the tool by
pressing Windows-R, typing msconfig, and pressing the Enter key.
Checking the Startup Item and Manufacturer columns is the best way to
figure out which potential performance-killers you can safely disable.
Avoid messing with any of the services and programs that have Microsoft
Corporation listed as the manufacturer. Items such as AdobeAAMUpdater,
Google Update, Pando Media Booster, Spotify, and Steam Client
Bootstrapper are all fair game. Regardless, err on the side of caution:
If you’re not sure what the program or service does, don’t disable it.(Windows’ System Configuration Tool lets you disable programs and services that automatically start when you boot your computer.)Once you’ve made all your changes, click OK and restart the computer. It should boot up quicker and feel noticeably faster.
If the problem is your PC, check whether you have plenty of free space on the hard drive holding your operating system. Windows needs room to create files while your system is running. If your hard drive is maxed out, performance suffers. Now is the perfect time to clear some space.
Microsoft’s System Configuration tool is your next-best bet for tackling slow performance. Many applications launch automatically when your machine boots up, which can stretch out boot time—especially on older, slower PCs. Make a habit of trimming the startup items. Open the tool by pressing Windows-R, typing
msconfig, and pressing the Enter key.
Checking the Startup Item and Manufacturer columns is the best way to figure out which potential performance-killers you can safely disable. Avoid messing with any of the services and programs that have Microsoft Corporation listed as the manufacturer. Items such as AdobeAAMUpdater, Google Update, Pando Media Booster, Spotify, and Steam Client Bootstrapper are all fair game. Regardless, err on the side of caution: If you’re not sure what the program or service does, don’t disable it.(Windows’ System Configuration Tool lets you disable programs and services that automatically start when you boot your computer.)Once you’ve made all your changes, click OK and restart the computer. It should boot up quicker and feel noticeably faster.
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