How to Speed Up a Slow PC

Is your computer taking forever to start up? Do programs freeze constantly? Before you throw it out the window or buy a new one, try these simple fixes. Many of them are completely free and can make a real difference.

1. Restart Your Computer (Seriously)

It sounds obvious, but many people leave their computers on for weeks at a time. Restarting clears out temporary files and resets programs that might be misbehaving. Try restarting once a week at minimum.

2. Check What's Running at Startup

Too many programs launching when you turn on your PC can slow things down dramatically. Here's how to fix it:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the "Startup" tab
3. Right-click programs you don't need at startup and select "Disable"

Tip: Only disable programs you recognise. If you're unsure what something is, leave it alone.

3. Free Up Disk Space

If your hard drive is nearly full, your computer will struggle. Windows needs free space to work properly. Try the built-in cleanup tool:

1. Open Settings and go to System → Storage
2. Click "Temporary files"
3. Tick the boxes for files you want to remove
4. Click "Remove files"

You can also uninstall programs you no longer use from Settings → Apps.

4. Check for Malware

Viruses and malware can seriously slow down your computer. Make sure Windows Defender is enabled and run a full scan:

1. Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu)
2. Click "Virus & threat protection"
3. Click "Scan options" then select "Full scan"
4. Click "Scan now" and wait for it to complete

5. Add More RAM (If Needed)

If your computer has 4GB of RAM or less, upgrading to 8GB or 16GB can make a huge difference. RAM is relatively cheap and often easy to install. This is especially helpful if you use lots of browser tabs or run multiple programs at once.

6. Consider an SSD Upgrade

If your computer still has an old spinning hard drive (HDD), upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single best thing you can do. It can make your PC feel like new. Boot times that used to take minutes can drop to seconds.

Still Slow?

If you've tried these tips and your computer is still struggling, there might be a deeper issue — or it might just be time for some professional attention. I can diagnose the problem and suggest the best solution, whether that's a repair, upgrade, or replacement.

Free pickup and delivery within 3 miles of B11.