One of the most common questions we hear in our Colorado Springs computer repair shop is if there is any way to fix a slow laptop. If you find yourself complaining that even the simplest tasks (like opening the internet or MS Word, or even deleting a file from the File Explorer, you have come to the right place. Solving these issues may not be as complex as you might think.
DIY Tips to Fix A Slow Laptop
Start with some of these easy solutions to fix a slow laptop.
Open The Laptop’s Task Manager
The laptop’s performance might be lagging because of excessive memory utilization. To find out if you have files or programs that are bogging down your laptop, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE on your keyboard and select the Task Manager. Pay attention to the following tabs:
Processes – Are there open programs that you can close?
Performance – How much memory are you using, and how many open processes are running in the background?
Startup – this is the complete list of all programs that automatically load when you boot your laptop. By disabling programs from automatically loading when you boot your laptop, your startup time should improve.
Remove Programs and Files That Are No Longer Needed
Removing files and programs that you no longer need is another way to fix a slow laptop. Open your Control Panel and then on Programs and Features. This will pull up a window listing all programs currently on your laptop. From the mundane calculator to the free trial of a program you didn’t like, to the project management software that you use every day, all PC tools have a program that makes them run. Scan this list and uninstall programs that you no longer use. These programs might take huge space on the laptop’s memory. By removing them, you can greatly speed up your system.
Likewise, many of us are guilty of loading our laptops with unimportant files, downloads, photos and music that could easily be deleted or moved to the cloud for archiving. Look through your files and get organized!
Update Your Web Browser And Check Your Connection Speed
The internet browsers we use every day regularly push updates that optimize the user’s experience. If you haven’t checked your favorite browser for updates in a while, do so now and install the latest version.
Also, check for any unnecessary extensions running in your browser. Depending on the browser you are using, you may see a puzzle piece next to the search bar (where the website you are currently on is displayed), or go to your browser’s settings and look for either Extensions or Add-Ons. Removing extensions that you no longer need should speed up your laptop.
In some cases, it is the internet speed, and not the laptop itself, that is slow. To check your browsing speed, open your internet browser and visit speedtest.net. If you find that your connection speed is slow, try rebooting your router. And if that doesn’t fix the issue, check with your internet service provider for possible outages or for more information on upgrading your connection speed.
Update Your Anti-Virus Software and Run A Thorough Scan
Occasionally, the best way to fix a slow laptop is to ensure that your anti-virus software is up to date, and then run a thorough scan of your system. If your anti-virus software shows that your laptop has been infected, disconnect the laptop from the internet and take it to a professional computer repair shop for virus and malware removal.
Visit a Professional Computer Repair Service
If the above options to fix a slow laptop don’t work, or if you are hesitant to try any of these steps yourself, bring your laptop to the experts. The experienced laptop repair technicians at DML Computer Repair in Colorado Springs will perform a free diagnostic on your laptop, and provide you with a reliable estimate on repairs.
Contact us today for your free diagnostic, and get back up and running as soon as possible!