I am publishing a summary record of general things you can do to solve this problem, and briefly discussing the three most frequent causes : malware, uncontrolled applications, and lack of maintenance, because many readers come up with their computer reacting slowly.
Malware
Possibly the most important factor to a poorly performing computer is malware.
Stage 1. Update the definitions of your anti virus and operate a complete scan of your hard disk drive in Safe Mode. Solve any unfixable problems. Notice that some viruses need extra steps until they may be removed; usually a web search will find specific instructions or a particular removal tool. Use the Bc forums to request assistance, if you cannot find a solution.
Step 2. You’ve recently saved an application, and if the sluggishness is sudden, the problem might reside there. Test this by entirely eliminating it. A user will typically perform a internet search about the application before getting because in most instances, any potential difficulty with malware or poor performance will have appeared.
Stage 3. Adware and Spyware can radically effect your computer’s performance, and these are around the Net.
Experienced users will routinely run 2 or 3 of the programs, because each company has its own requirements for what constitutes spyware and will only search against their own set. (A set of quite great, free anti spyware applications is provided by BC). Again, resolve any open issues before continuing to the next phase.
Uncontrolled Applications
Step 4. Evaluation applications that self-launching on startup. You computer may be a battleground for your interest. Many programs, for instance, install a rapid-start feature which enables them to be opened fast; other programs may include an automated update feature that demands them to be working in the background. Your launching Windows are slowed down by each of these and each requires a small bit of sources while your computer is running.
If, for instance, you have Spybot Search and Destroy, you can use its startup tool that lists startups and allows you to show off any you usually do not want. Remember that BC maintains a quite complete Startup Database that includes info about whether the item is required, optional, or not needed, in case you are unsure about what could be safely removed.
At-the same time, remember that all those symbols on your Background also take a modest number of trunk time to place themselves.
Lack of Maintenance
Stage 5. Clean up your hard drive (preparation for Action 7). Delete unused programs and move old files to your CD. Unplayed games, tons of family images, zipped files which you have previously opened, applications you have not found in two years, software for that old printer you put away last year—these are some types of files you can delete. Then use Window’s Disk Clean-up to remove temporary internet files, temporary PC health files, etc.
(Note for higher level users: some experts would contain the added maintenance stage of cleaning up the Windows registry, and you’ll find several apps to help do that. For the most part, so this step isn’t contained, you may do severe damage by creating registry modifications, registry maintenance won’t make a significant difference, and unless you are quite comfortable with Windows, and carefully make backups of the registry
Stage 6. Have it fix Running Vista.
Step 7. Defragment your personal computer.
Hopefully, since you have have concluded, you’ll find a noticeable improvement in pc operation.