Slow Computer: Why and How to Optimize It for Good Performance

Greetings! My computer is slow. I did not use it for a few days because I was busy in school. I was excited to play my favorite computer game when I noticed my computer could not handle the gameplay. I was shocked because I did not expect my excitement to become a nightmare. Can you tell me what happened and how to resolve my computer issues? Thank you in advance!

Computers are used for massive tasks that smartphones cannot perform. It would be inconvenient if the device mentioned were slow and experienced issues simultaneously. The computer is slow for some reason. Let's discover them in this post, including proven and tested ways to fix the problem of optimizing your computer.

Part 1. Why is My Computer So Slow

Computers are known for allowing their users to multitask. This means that they can contain countless software programs for different functionalities. They could be used for gaming, studies, work, personal activities, and more. However, some issues might occur as a drawback of the features or data they contain.

You might also ask, "Why is my computer slow?" There are concrete reasons why this happens, and one thing is certain: The issues are due to software issues with the computer system. Below is a list of some reasons why your computer is slow.

1. Software Glitches - Sometimes, computer systems experience bugs and glitches. If that’s the case, expect bad performance on the mentioned device until the issue is fixed.
2. Multiple Programs and Tabs Running - Computers enable users to multitask. Since programs and tabs use RAM during their operations, they might be why your computer slows down in performance.
3. Full Storage Space - The computer's internal or external storage spaces are not unlimited. A full one can affect the performance of the mentioned devices and slow them down.

Part 2. How to Optimize A Computer Running Slow

You probably think: Why is my computer so slow all of a sudden? Honestly, countless reasons might be the reason you experience the issue. Determining it is important to know which exact troubleshooting method you will use. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about if you do not see the cause. You can troubleshoot your computer’s malfunction using the recommended methods in this post section. They contain procedures for macOS and Windows operating systems. See them as you scroll down below.

Option 1. Restart Your Computer

System issues are one of the main reasons why the computer is slow. It might contain glitches during the computer session that massively affect its performance. It is recommended that the computer be restarted to give a fresh restart if it experiences the issue.

Discover how to fix a slow computer by restarting it. Below are separate instructions for Mac and Windows.

Mac

Unlock your Mac and click the Apple button at the top left of the main screen. A drop-down menu with action options will appear. To select the Restart button, click it. Alternatively, you can press and hold the Power key button on the Mac keyboard to perform the restart procedure.

Windows

Tick the Windows button at the bottom left of the main interface. Then, choose the Power button in the same spot. More options will appear on the screen afterward. Finally, click the Restart button to complete the procedure.

Option 2. Close Multiple Running Programs

Multitasking is commonly executed with computers, including Macs and Windows. Sometimes, you do not notice that you have opened a lot of programs and tools on the device, leading to poor and laggy performance. Quitting or closing the other programs on the computer background is recommended in this situation. Learn how to fix slow computers, including Mac and Windows, by closing some of the unused programs.

Mac

Go to the Mac Dock’s right portion to see the running programs on the mentioned Apple device. Then, deep-click the ones you prefer to close, and many options appear on the Mac screen. Choose the Quit [Program Name] button to complete the process. Alternatively, you can click the X button at the top left corner of the program to force quit it on Mac.

Windows

Since the programs are opened, they will appear on the taskbar of your Windows operating system. Choose the program you prefer to close and right-click it. Then, select the Close Window button at the bottom of the new options list interface. The action will be executed after a second.

Option 3. Install Antivirus Programs

Surely, you download files and programs on your computers. The downloading procedures might encounter or load unseen viruses and malware. In this post, we recommend you install an antivirus program. However, there are countless of them on the internet, confusing you about which one you will use. We recommended Norton. It is one of the most used and safest programs to prevent viruses and malware from entering your computer system and fix a computer runs slow.

However, this program is not free or expensive. It contains extensive files and multiple features for preventing viruses and malware. You may visit their official website and subscribe to their plan. Set up and launch the software on your computer to block the viruses and malware that cause your computer performance to slow down.

Option 4. Install Software Updates

Devices like computers sometimes have problems when their software version is outdated. Updating it to the latest ones will help you learn how to speed up a slow computer. See how by following the detailed steps about the Mac and Windows procedures.

Update Mac

Click the Apple button at the top left of the main interface. Then, choose the System Preferences button and click the General button. On the right, select the Software Update button. Finally, click the Update Now button on the next screen.

Update Windows

Select the Windows section at the bottom left corner of the main interface to see more options on the screen. Then, click the Shutdown button among them, and additional buttons will appear. Click the Update and Shutdown or Update and Restart button to complete the process.

Option 5. Free Up Space

A full storage space can cause the computer slow all of a sudden. Deleting some unused, junk, and recently deleted files will help you free up space on your computer. Follow the quick steps below to do that on your Mac or Windows.

Windows

Recycle Bin has the most unused files on your Windows because it stores the recently deleted data, files, and programs. Empty it by launching the tool. Then, right-click on the empty section. Options will be shown on the screen. Choose the Empty Recycle Bin button.

Mac

You can use FoneLab Mac Sweep to optimize your Mac. It will delete large and junk files in a few clicks. In addition, this software can show you the status of your Mac storage, RAM, and CPU performance. In addition, you can encrypt some files you prefer to protect using the tool. See how to optimize your Mac using this tool and fix the computer very slow.

Step 1Download the tool by selecting the Free Download button. Then, set it up and launch it afterward.

Step 2Click the Cleaner button on the left of the main interface. Then, choose the System Junk button afterward. Click the Scan and View buttons to see the junk files.

Step 3Choose the files you want to delete. Click the Clean button afterward.

Part 3. FAQs about Computer Running Slow

We hope you learned a lot about why a computer is running slow. This post answers the question with detailed explanations. In addition, it contains the leading and safest procedures to optimize and fix the issues the computer might contain. You're lucky enough if you are a Mac user because this article introduces FoneLab Mac Sweep to optimize the Mac system. Leaving comments and questions in this post is allowed. Put them at the end of this post. Thank you!