I am posting a summary checklist of general things you can do to resolve this issue, and briefly discussing the three most common causes : malware, uncontrolled applications, and lack of care, because many readers write about their computer reacting slowly.
Malware
Maybe the most important contributor to a badly performing computer is malware. Generally this is associated with downloading an application that contains spyware, by not having browser security settings large enough, by carelessly downloading P2P files, or by declining to install security patches regularly.
Stage 1. Revise the definitions of your antivirus and operate a complete scan of your drive in Safe Mode. Resolve any unfixable issues. Note that some infections require additional measures until they may be removed; normally a websearch will find specific instructions or a special removal tool. If you can’t find a solution, use the Bc forums to obtain assistance.
Step 2. If the sluggishness is abrupt, and you’ve recently saved an application, the issue might dwell there. Test this by completely eliminating it. A user will generally perform a websearch about the application before downloading it because in most cases, any possible trouble with malware or inferior performance will have surfaced.
Stage three. Adware and Spyware can drastically impact your computer’s functionality, and these are throughout the Internet. A very recent research indicated that one out of every 20 executable files on Web sites is spyware, and 1 in 25 domains feature at least one piece of spyware waiting for sufferers.
Revise the definitions of your antispyware programs and scan your hard drives in Safe Mode. Seasoned customers will routinely operate 2 or 3 of the programs, because each business has its own criteria for what constitutes spyware and will just search against their own set. (A record of really good, free antispyware applications is supplied by BC). Again, solve any open issues before continuing to the next step.
For further reading about Malicious software and some malware removal applications, use BC’s Tutorial section; most of the applications have really good Help documents that explain how they work too as the distinctive attributes of each.
Uncontrolled Applications
Step 4. Evaluation programs that self-start on startup. You computer may be a battleground for your interest. Many programs, for example, install a rapid-launch feature that enables them to be opened immediately; other programs may include an automatic update feature that demands them to be working in the background. Your launching Windows are slowed down by each of these and each needs a little bit of sources while your computer is running.
You can use its startup tool that lists startups and enables you to turn off any you usually do not want, if, for example, you have Spybot Search and Destroy. Remember that BC maintains a very complete Startup Database that includes information about whether the item is required, discretionary, or not needed, in case you are uncertain about what could be safely removed.
At the same time, remember that those symbols on your Desktop also take a small number of boot time to put themselves.
Lack of Care
Step 5. Delete unused applications and exchange old files to your CD. Unplayed games, lots of family pictures, zipped files which you have 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 delete temporary internet files, temporary PC health files, etc.
(Note for high level users: some experts would comprise the additional maintenance stage of cleaning up the Windows registry, and there are plenty of applications to help try this. For the most part, registry maintenance won’t make a vital difference, and unless you are very comfy with Windows, and carefully make backups of the registry, you may do serious harm by creating registry changes, so this measure is not contained
Step 6. Have it fix Runtime Code 48.
Step 7. Defragment your pc. Windows tends to set new documents in any available open space; defragging will set affiliated sections of files closer together therefore your read arm has less going around the hdd to do, saving wear-and tear while speeding up programs.
Hopefully, now that you have have finished, you will find a noticeable enhancement in pc performance.