When you buy a new PC, everything is perfect. Switching on takes (if using an SSD) about ten seconds at the most; the programs start almost instantaneously and there are no problems whatsoever. If you are not careful, however, it is an idyll that will not last long: various documents and files that we accumulate on the hard drive end up irreparably slowing down our device. And a slow PC makes us nervous and not very productive, especially if we use the device for work. Fortunately, however, a few simple operations are enough to speed up the PC.
The real enemy of the computer is the programs we install over time. The main bugs and slowdowns for a PC are often caused by software downloaded and then left unused to weigh down the memory of our device. Especially if we use computers for work, we tend to download programs for photo editing, editing, or any other complex operation on a daily basis. These are applications that we may use only once, or a couple of times throughout the year. If possible, avoid installing this kind of programs and rely on online services that do not provide a download. This way, you will avoid having a slow PC and getting irritated because of it.
It may seem unbelievable, but a slow PC can lead to the so-called hourglass syndrome. According to a research carried out by Akamai Technologies, if we work with an unresponsive device, we tend to get sad. The study showed that 73% of people who use a slow device tend to feel unhappiness in 14% of cases and sadness in 8% of cases. This is in addition to frustration and a natural decrease in attention.
Eliminate unnecessary programs and applications
In short, to avoid being sad at work we have to speed up the PC. The first step to do this is to eliminate old programs and applications that we no longer use. We can do it manually through the Control Panel, or we can rely on ad hoc applications, such as CCleaner. If for work or study we tend to use very heavy programs we can think of relying on portable versions. These are applications that do not need to be installed, but can be used “on the fly”. Just put the application on a USB stick and insert it into your computer every time you need it: double click on the program and you can use it whenever you want, without clogging up the computer’s internal memory.
Disable programs that run at startup
One of the main causes of a slow PC is represented by the many programs that, once installed on the hard drive, start when the device is turned on. This means that the operating system must load them into memory in the very early stages of operation, thus postponing the moment in which the user can start using it. To speed up the computer, therefore, you will have to check the list of programs at startup and delete the non-essential ones. In the search field of the Start bar, type “System configuration”, open the application and then the “Start” tab. Here you will find the list of programs that start when the PC is turned on (or a link to open “Task manager”). Check the list and deactivate unnecessary applications.
Improve cyber security
Besides unused applications and junk files, one of the main reasons for a slow PC is malware. Viruses, by taking up system resources, can seriously affect the performance of our device. To find this malicious software, all we have to do is install a good antivirus, update it constantly and every now and then run a thorough scan of the device.
Furthermore, we must never forget to always install updates to the operating system and programs on the PC. If we constantly update the antivirus, browsers, extensions and applications, we will not have major problems with slowdowns and bugs. And above all we will also improve the cybersecurity of our device. Updating all programs is a key operation to speed up a PC.
Format the computer
In case all the solutions listed above are not effective enough to get around the excessive slowdowns of our PC. In this case the action to be taken is a bit drastic: format the hard drive and install the operating system and software from scratch. Unlike what one might think, it is a rather simple operation to perform, but with some contraindications. For this it is a must to back up all our data. This will prevent you from losing your important photos, videos and business documents.
If you want to bypass your slow operating system and replace it with Linux, you need Xtra PC – a small yet efficient flash drive that can be plugged into the USB port of your PC. Read this in-depth XtraPC review to know everything about this handy product.
Conclusion
Over time the various applications and saved documents tend to slow down the efficiency of our computer. Perform the above-mentioned five actions to speed up the performance of PC.
