Thread: Computer has slowed down

Firstly open the process monitor and see what threads are using the cpu, you can then determine whats busy there. You can also try a different browser as occasionally updates can contain bugs.also if its just the browser are you sure its not your internet connection?

Go here & get a copy of this, install, update & run it. (just pay attention to the questions it asks as it installs & untick the Trial Version box)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.2.1 Download for Windows / FileHorse.com

It will clean up any malware/spyware that has gotten into your computer.

Hi Cliff, thanks for the tip re Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I down loaded it and ran the program.

It reported 152 threats and quarantined them. I can't really tell if the computer is any faster, but at least it's cleaner.

Ken

You could try the CCleaner. It will sort-out the registry + delete all temporary files, old installation files, etc.
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
It also has built in an excellent uninstaller.
and
Autoruns
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...rnals/bb963902
and
Process Explorer
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...rocessexplorer

I would also turn off Automatic Updates

+1 for MalwareBytes and CCleaner, I always use those regularly. I also look in the "Startup" to see if there are any programs that auto-startup that I don't need. I try to keep as few programs as possible automatically starting up, and only start them when I need them. It seems nowadays most software wants to install itself so that it is always running something at startup.

Actually, another thing that can slow down a computer is the type of anti-virus software you run. Norton Anti-Virus was notorious for really slowing your computer down when it was installed.

When I researched this, I found that Kaspersky Anti-Virus was apparently one of the packages that did not affect computer speed, so I use that now.

Install RealTemp.

Unless some program is chewing on your CPU, 90% of slowdowns are due to CPU overheating.

Use this https://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/ to see if its running hot, e.g. > 40° at idle, if so, lift off the CPU cooler, clean it up and apply some thermal paste/gooze: (something like this: Arctic Silver Incorporated - Arctic Silver 5). Every computer store will sell you a small tube for a few dollars.

Also check if indexing is turned on. If you don't need it turn it off. Depending on what you use your computer for this can slow it down.

I agree with red budgie.. Having worked with computers for longer than I care to remember I often find it is the virus checker that is the culprit.. I agree that Kasperski is usually the most non-intrusive and certainly Nortons has been a problem from time to time. Also suggest disabling the virus checker (disconnect your PC from the internet if I makes you uncomfortable to be online) and that will tell you if it is the culprit.

If you are using SSD not not defrag under any circumstances. Also defraging more than once a month is a waste of time and merely wears out your HDD.

What browser are you using? Note that web browsing can be extremely problematic. That you had malware does not bode well. Try using Firefox or chrome and see how it compares.

Make sure you are running a good anti-virus. AVG or Avast are pretty good but DO NOT RUN more than one at a time. Also you may need to run the Malware bytes more than once intersperced with full virus scans and reboots.

How much RAM do you have? Web browsers are notorious are using lots of RAM and certain sites can rapidly chew up RAM. Especially sites running flash adverts.

Are you the only user and are you sure that someone has not been visiting dodgy sites?

John

Slowdown of web pages is usually related to your web browser cache getting large, or having corrupted files. You should go into settings & delete ALL temporary Internet files - google how to delete temporary internet files for your particular browser. If using Internet Explorer its in Internet Options on the General tab. Select Delete... button & check all the boxes.

If there is no improvement, create a new user account on the PC and log in as this new user. This will create a new and much smaller user profile. Test to see if browsing is quicker from this new account. If so, you are probably best to use the new login on the PC (you will need to make all files in Documents, Pictures, Videos etc available to the new account. You can find these in the appropriate folder under C:\Users

If you have used CCleaner with the correct settings then your temp files should have been cleaned out anyway. Have you tried using a different browser (Chrome or Firefox) - assuming you are using IE now?

BobR, what is "indexing", not heard of that term in computing.

I'm running Chrome as my browser.

Ken

Clear the Cache as suggested, I also recommend CCleaner, it is a fantastic free product.

Are you getting any error messages? I manually update Flash player and when it is out of date pages hang and I get error messages and if I hit Ctrl+Shift+Escape it will show Plugin Container For Waterfox using CPU and RAM.

Please don't take the heatsink off your CPU, yeah it may help get a touch more speed out of your computer if you are video editing or using CAD programs but any computer will handle day to day work without issue.