5 Common Windows Slowdowns and How To Fix Them

You may experience a slow computer due to several reasons. Although some of them occur due to faults in the hardware or software installed on your PC, there are some that occur due to a lack of user vigilance. These are the problems that you can easily get rid of to keep your PC functional at a high performance level for a long time. Let’s have a look at the 5 most common Windows slowdowns and how you can fix them.
 
Registry Problems

Want a fast computer? Ensure that your registry stays free of unwanted information.
This is important because the registry is the core of your Windows operating system and contains information that controls all hardware devices, software programs, user configurations and preferences, and controls how your PC behaves and appears.

Unwanted information usually strays into the registry due to:

• Orphan and empty registry keys left behind when programs are uninstalled.
• Damage caused to the registry due to system crashes.
• Malicious entries added by viruses and spyware.
• Installation of faulty programs and device drivers.
• Accumulation of outdated and redundant entries due to software updates and program reinstallation.

All of this unwanted information unnecessarily causes the registry to grow at an unwarranted rate, and eventually damages and fragments its entries and files. A large and fragmented registry that is full of errors dramatically slows down the data access speed and eventually starts generating frequent computer errors and deteriorates the performance of your PC. In order to resolve this problem, you need to regularly scan and repair the registry and get rid of this unwanted digital junk. You can easily perform registry repair with the help of a reliable and efficient registry cleaner tool.

Virus and Spyware Infections

A sudden computer slowdown or generation of computer errors indicates a virus or spyware infection. If you face it, the first thing you need to do is to update your antivirus and antispyware tools and run a full system scan. It is recommended that you run these scans in the Safe Mode—Restart PCà Press F8 à Select Safe Mode. Run the scan at least twice to ensure complete removal of any malware information from the PC. You may also use your registry cleaner tool to scan the registry for any non-removable malicious information and get rid of it.

To prevent malware infiltration in the first place, you must do the following:

• Keep your antivirus and antispyware tools updated with the latest definitions.
• Schedule regular full system scans.
• Enable real-time protection.

Outdated Operating System, Device Drivers, and Software Programs

Manufacturers of operating systems, device drivers, and software programs release regular security updates, hotfixes, and service packs that help in patching up security lapses and enhancing the functionality of the programs. If you do not install these updates, your system may eventually slowdown and become vulnerable to malicious external intrusion. To prevent this situation, you must keep your PC updated and patched up with the latest updates.

Too Many Startup Programs

When you start your Windows PC, there are a few programs and processes that automatically load in the background. These programs are called startup programs. Although there are a few programs that are added by the operating system and are essential to keep your PC functioning, there are some that are added by applications installed on the PC and are not required at all times. These are the programs that unnecessarily feed on your system resources and cause Windows to slowdown.

To disable unwanted programs that load at startup, you need to perform the following two tasks:

• Delete unwanted shortcuts from the Startup folder in the Start menu.
• Open System Configuration Utility (msconfig) and then disable unwanted programs and services on the Services and Startup tab.

Filled Up and Fragmented Hard Disk

Because all your data and operating system files are stored on the hard disk, a filled up and fragmented hard disk can easily cause Windows slowdowns and errors. Thankfully, Windows XP and Windows Vista comprise tools that you can easily use to perform hard disk maintenance.

• Disk Cleanup: Use these tools to detect and clear unwanted Internet Explorer files, empty Recycle Bin, remove outdated program setup files, uninstall unwanted Windows components and software programs, and delete old system restore snapshots.

• Disk Defragmenter: Use this tool to analyze and consolidate fragmented hard disk data, speed up data access time and as a result, enhance the performance of your PC.