One of the biggest computer annoyances that happens to any owner/users is when the machine starts to slow down over time. This usually happens years after you get a PC or laptop. Since we use our computers for different task and activities at work or at home, the slowing down process is basically the same with any type or model concerned. When a new computer is bought and first booted up, it naturally works lightning fast, and this is because it doesn't have anything on it. As you download files. install programs, and surf the Internet over time, the computer gets bloated with files that hog your computer's system resources.There is no definite and single main cause why a computer slows down over time; it can be a series of major causes that can happen within a spanning period of time.
Using two or more antivirus software or anti-malware programs
To put it simply, having two or more antivirus or anti-malware programs can greatly slow down your computer and some may actually get in conflict with each other and damage the computer's operating system. Also, the first line of defense against viruses, malware, and spyware should be Safe Browsing. Naturally, if you're downloading shady files, clicking on ad pop-ups, or opening links from unknown emails, you'll greatly increase your chances of getting a computer infection. So practice careful and responsible Internet browsing.
Not using Disk Cleanup at least once a week
At least once a week, you need to clear your cache and temporary Internet files and empty the trash bin by using the Disk Cleanup utility. And while you're at it, clear out your Internet browsing history and then check using the task manager which programs and background services are running at startup that are needed an thus, slowing down your computer. However, be careful an don't clear out the registry thinking this speeds up your computer. Cleaning out the registry may clear out some outdated settings but the registry files are merely in kilobytes, there won't be any noticeable change in your computer's speed.
Allowing your hard drive to become dangerously low on space
If you have allowed your hard drive to become low on space, like say, only having around 2 or 3 gigabytes as free space, then your computer will drastically slow down. Your computer programs need space to dynamically grow in size, usually through the creation of temporary files. If there is no room on the hard drive to store these, you system will crawl. However, if you have more than half the hard drive with free space, your don't need to clear out personal data to speed up the computer. Getting rid of Word documents, photos, videos, and music - no matter how large these files are - have no negligible effect on the computer's speed.
In reality, we need to face the fact that as any computer gets older, it will definitely. slow down. It's a natural progression. As newer hardware, software, Internet, and application capabilities evolve, these new innovations require more space and power. So the user should never be faulted when their once zippy computer is now crawling, unless the user has a habit of dangerously download anything from the web.
