I am posting a summary checklist of general things you can do to solve this problem, and briefly discussing the three most frequent causes : malware, uncontrolled applications, and insufficient maintenance, because many readers come up with their computer responding slowly.
Malware
Maybe the most important factor to a badly performing computer is malware. Usually this is related to downloading an application that contains spyware, by not having browser security options large enough, by carelessly downloading P2P files, or by declining to install security patches in a timely manner.
Step 1. Revise the definitions of your anti virus and operate a complete scan of your hard disk drive in Safe Mode. Resolve any unfixable issues. Note that some infections require extra measures until they may be removed; normally a web search will locate specific instructions or a particular removal tool. Use the BC forums to obtain help, if you fail to find a solution.
Step Two. You have recently downloaded an application, and if the sluggishness is unexpected, the problem might rest there. Test this by totally eliminating it. A smart user will typically perform a websearch about the application before getting because in most instances, any possible difficulty with malware or inferior performance will have surfaced.
Action 3. Adware and Spyware can radically effect your personal computer’s performance, and these are all over the World wide web. A very recent research showed that one out of every 20 executable files on Websites is spyware, and 1 in 25 domains comprise at least one bit of spyware waiting for sufferers.
Update the definitions of your anti-spyware programs and scan your hard drives in Safe Mode. Seasoned users will routinely run two or three of these programs, because each company has its own criteria for what constitutes spyware and will just search against their own established. (A record of really great, free anti-spyware programs is supplied by BC). Again, resolve any open issues before proceeding to the next step.
For additional reading about Malware and some malware removal applications, use BC’s Tutorial section; most of the programs have really great Help documents that clarify how they function as well as the unique characteristics of each.
Uncontrolled Applications
Stage 4. Review programs that self-launching on startup. You computer can become a battleground for your attention. Many programs, for example, install a rapid-launch feature which permits them to be opened immediately; other programs may include an automatic update feature that requires them to be running in the background. Each of these decreases your launching Windows and each requires a little bit of assets while your personal computer is running.
The easiest approach to examine and than to handle startups will be to work with one of many little resources available (see the BC list of free applications). Remember that BC maintains a really comprehensive Startup Database that includes information about whether the questioned item is required, optional, or unnecessary, in case you are unsure about what could be safely removed.
At-the same time, remember that those symbols on your own Background also take a modest amount of boot time to put themselves.
Lack of Maintenance
Stage 5. Clean up your hard drive (preparation for Action 7). Delete unused applications and move old files into a CD. Unplayed games, tons of family images, zipped files which you have opened, applications you haven’t found in two years, software for the old printer you put away last year—these are a few examples of files you can delete.
(Note for high level users: some experts would contain the added care step of cleaning the Windows registry, and you will find plenty of apps to assist do that. For the most part, registry care won’t make a critical difference, and unless you are quite comfortable with Windows, and carefully make copies of-the registry, you may do serious damage by creating registry modifications, so this measure isn’t contained
Action 6. Run scandisk / checkdisk in Safe Mode. Have it mend Java Doesnt Initialize.
Action 7. Defragment your personal computer. Windows tends to put new documents in any available open space; defragging will set related sections of files closer together therefore your read arm has less travelling around the hard drive to do, saving wear and tear while racing up applications.
Hopefully, now that you have have finished, you will find a noticeable improvement in pc operation.