Shapes

FAQs

5 reasons your PC is running slowly

13 August 2022
Bluecube Blog Team
Bluecube Blog Team

Is your office PC running very slowly? A computer slows down for many reasons, but the main cause is often frequent use. Over time, your Windows PC, Mac PC or another kind, will suffer from wear and tear like any other tool that you use regularly. As you browse the internet, complete tasks, and download files, this impacts your PC’s overall performance.

There is nothing more frustrating than a slow, old, and tired computer, creaking as you attempt to perform a simple Google search.

You don’t have to put up with PC troubles. With local IT support services in your area, you can make some quick fixes that improve your PC’s performance.

 

The first step is identifying the main reasons why your computer may be running slowly.

5 Reasons Why Your PC Could Be Running Slowly

  1. Too Many Background Programs
  2. Not Keeping Up To Date With Updates
  3. Malware Or Computer Viruses
  4. Full Hard Drive
  5. Too Many Browser Add-Ons

1. Too Many Background Programs

PCs accumulate many programs through consistent use, which adds to the programs pre-installed on the device. Many of these will be counter-productive as you don’t ever use them. Some programs will be running in the background without you knowing, meaning your PC is expending energy on activities you don’t need it to, which will slow down your computer, significantly.

The Solution...

You don’t need to be an IT support engineer to fix this problem. Explore the control panel on your PC and discover the list of Programs and Features. Scroll through this list and uninstall the background programs that you don’t use. If you’re not sure, keep the program and consult with IT support to discuss whether it’s a program you can remove from your PC.

2. Not Regularly Updating Software

Don’t be complacent with PC system updates, keeping up to date with Windows or Mac updates is essential for your PC performance. New Windows updates and other systems, such as Apple updates, improve how the computer operates. Not updating your computer also leads to detrimental effects as the PC will be vulnerable to malware or viruses.

The Solution...

The solution is simple: don’t ignore the operating system reminders to update your Windows PC or Mac. If you feel a lot of time has passed since the last update, check-in your computer’s settings. This is where you will see if you’re behind on PC system updates and it will tell you what software you need to install.

3. Malware Or Computer Viruses

When a computer is infected by malware or a virus, this can seriously hinder its performance. Phishing emails are a potential threat to computer users right now. If you click a link or download a file, you could inadvertently infect your PC. This has many possible issues, however, it can massively slow down your computer.

The Solution...

A simple solution is to download anti-virus software. They can run scans to identify viruses and malware and remove them from your PC. This not only protects your PC but stops it from suffering from a slowed-down PC performance.

4. Full Hard Drive

Having free space on your PC’s hard drive is essential for better computer performance. When the hard drive is full and clogged up with downloads, unused programs, and temporary files that have stuck around permanently. Getting to the point where your computer’s hard drive has no free space is not a good place to be. Keep an eye on your PC's internal hard drive and regularly clean the systems.

The Solution...

To clear your hard drive, you need to conduct a deep clean which involves removing everything you don’t use on your PC. Unnecessary programs, downloads, and files all need to be deleted during this phase.

With the right IT support service, this is simple, an engineer can advise you on what you need and don’t need to keep on your computer if you’re unsure. They can also explore any cloud storage options if you have a full hard drive even after conducting a rigorous deep clean.

5. Too Many Browser Add-Ons

Browser extensions and add-ons offer massive benefits to computer users. However, like anything, too much can prove detrimental. And yep, you guessed it, it can lead to slowly down the performance of your PC. If you have too many browser add-ons installed on your computer, this can slow down your PC by taking up valuable processing power. 

The Solution...

Whatever browser you use, which its Google Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox or Ecosia, look at the add-ons and extensions you have installed. Ask yourself which ones are relevant to your day-to-day computer use. You may discover add-ons that haven’t been used in years, uninstall them, especially if your PC is slowing down and you want to fix that.

Contact Bluecube IT Support

No one should have to put up with a slow desktop PC. In the modern world, many people rely on their computers for their jobs, so don’t settle for a computer that isn’t up to the task.

If you’re having trouble with poor PC performance, get in touch with Bluecube for IT support. We have offices and field engineers based across the UK and overseas. From London to Leeds, Birmingham, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge and more, our expert team can implement fast and effective IT solutions, whether that's in-person or remotely, that improve PC performance.

Discover how you can transform your current computer, get in touch with Bluecube by filling out our online enquiry form or giving us a call on 0845 257 8010.

Latest