Post: #1

What is the best way of speeding up your computer once it starts to slow down after a few years?

Is deleting lots of files the best way? Or is there something else which most people overlook?

Post: #2

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Post 8.

You'll be downloading some software to clean up your pc.

Which operating system are you running?

Post: #3

That will help. You can also run disk cleanup and defragment the hard drive to remove non-essential stuff and consolidate the data. Also, if your OS has a task manager, you can see what sorts of non-essential programs (utorrent, meia players, etc) are running in the background and shut those down too.

Post: #4

I'm on Windows 7 and use FireFox as my browser.

Will check out those links!

Post: #5

Post: #6

is it a brandname? if so list the model number

Post: #7

My computer is an Acer.

Post: #8

Upgrade to a Solid State Drive. Huge Performance increase.

Post: #9

Get an SSD, install new Windows 7 on it. Get Eset Antivirus.

Post: #10

The stuff in post 8 referenced above is great (on phone, can't quote). My tips below:

Smart defrag 3. Great freeware app (although they try to install a dozen bloatware programs when you're installing to make money, so pay attention). It will defragment your drive better than Windows, plus has a set it and forget it auto option. Start here if your pc is slow when opening big programs.

CCleaner. Reclaim space you didn't know you lost, fix some registry issues, clean up your start up. Clean your start up if your pc takes forever to start when you turn it on.

Avast anti virus. Best freeware antivirus, it's freemium but the paid features are for soccer moms and paranoid old people. It'll clean crap you didn't know you caught from all those adult sites

That's my holy trinity.

Oh, plus one: get Secunia. Free program which makes sure all your other programs and drivers stay up to date, it will also help you download and install updates. It's the cherry on top.

If your pc has a few years on it, adding more RAM can also help speed it up and squeeze a bit more time out of it. Look up your computer properties for your current RAM, and Google your max RAM online. It might cost you like $40 at best buy and take 15 minutes with a screwdriver, but is worth it.

Post: #11

(02-18-2014 06:07 PM)cardguy Wrote:  What is the best way of speeding up your computer once it starts to slow down after a few years?

Is deleting lots of files the best way? Or is there something else which most people overlook?

A reformat can always do the trick IF you have the disks to reload the existing software. That will remove all bloatware, crapware that can slow your computer down. You can add new RAM as well but as said above, start with deleting temp files and a disk defrag.

Post: #12

I'd try everything else before swapping to an ssd. Though it is nice, it is still an investment in costs.

Does your computer have a restore to factory settings deal?

On an older laptop I had, I did that from time to time. It was easy and brought my speed back to original specs.

But I am not an expert, just my 2 cents.

Post: #13

As much shit gets talked about the nerds that over obsess about Apple products, having used both Windows and Apple, my Mac desktop that I got in 2009ish has never showed the signs of slowing down that my Windows computers have.

Post: #14

That's fine but, the benefits outweigh the negatives. If you have a solid antivirus, you really won't have a problem.

Malwarebytes is a good scanner that can remove any serious viruses.

A reformat is still preferable as prevention is better than removal.

Post: #15

I have downloaded (and am now running) a CCleaner.

Post: #16

Avoid hazardous porn sites lol

Post: #17

(02-18-2014 06:44 PM)dads Wrote:  As much shit gets talked about the nerds that over obsess about Apple products, having used both Windows and Apple, my Mac desktop that I got in 2009ish has never showed the signs of slowing down that my Windows computers have.

Then I guess you didn't take the "free" upgrade for OSX Mavericks?

Post: #18

I'm still using my 2007 MacBook Pro. Hard drive died and put in a 480gb SSD and added 4gb more ram. Thing is very fast. Put Parralles on it with Windows 7 so I can have the best of both worlds. Display died a while back too, but I just run it to a sweet external monitor. I'll probably give it to my Grandkids someday.

Post: #19

CCleaner can be more trouble than it's worth. Try not to let it delete all your saved passwords, autocompletes, internet cache etc.

My 80-20 approach would be:
1) Use MalwareBytes to scan for viruses. Clean anything that comes up.
2) Make sure you have no toolbars, search assistants and general junk in your browser.
3) Review your list of installed applications (Control Panel -> Programs and Features). Uninstall anything you don't plan to use.
4) Check the Windows experience index (Control Panel -> System -> Windows Experience Index) and identify any bottlenecks with your hardware.

Post: #20

Put everything on the comp on a external harddrive. Reinstall windows/drivers. Now your comp is essentially brand new. I do this once a year or so.

Post: #21

Max out the ram. Use a SSD for OS drive. Clean install windows or run Linux.

I just use my old desktop as a file server on my network.

Post: #22

I think the main reason windows computers slow down over time is the Microsoft security updates. Almost every day there is a new update and these files can be huge. Over the course of a few years of constant updates the OS becomes increasingly bloated and resource hungry. Even when I run defrags and delete unnecessary programs and clear a bunch of crap from the startup, it's nowhere near as fast as it was the day I bought it.

Post: #23

I'm using tuneup utilities. Speeds up things, gets rid of the files I had no idea were there (option 100 biggest files, as I have a system on tiny SSD where every Gb matters). One stop solution for me.

Post: #24

Deactivate automatic windows updates.

The bulk of windows updates seem to be bloatware.

I cherry pick a few important updates every few months and install them manually.

Otherwise microsoft will happily destroy your computer's performance.

Post: #25

I never thought of that before Speakeasy. I use a mac now, but have used Windows in the past in which I noticed this phenomenon, but couldn't put my finger onto why the computer was so much slower even though nothing had really been added on to it. I bet this might be on purpose to ensure their customers buy new ones every couple of years just to have a fast computer again.