Think back to when you first got your computer, brand new and ready to tackle your hefty workload. Fast forward a couple years and your computer probably isn’t as fast as it was the first day. This may be annoying or even frustrating because you find yourself twiddling your thumbs while waiting for programs to open. These slowdowns account for the majority of downtime, which means you get less done in the same time frame or, similarly, it takes you longer to complete your work. Either way, you’re probably looking for a solution before you give up and think about tossing the computer out the window. Lucky for you there are steps you can take to restore your system to its former glory before you make moves and act on such a drastic thought. Let’s take a look:
- The cause – First, you should determine why your computer is slow. This could be any number of reasons such as: too many files, programs running in the background, a slow connection, outdated programs and software, a full hard drive, or a virus or malware, among others.
- Clean up your system – Once you determine the cause of the slow down, your next step should be to clean out the clutter. This includes old files you no longer use, old documents, and other such things. Instead of just deleting these from your hard drive, you should transfer them to an external hard drive or a flash drive so you can still access them if the need arises.
- Backup your hard drive – While we’re on the topic of external hard drives, you may want to backup your entire hard drive to an external hard drive. This way, if you choose, you can reset your computer. Be sure to backup your hard drive first, though, because resetting your computer will delete everything, and you don’t want to lose your files. When you reset your computer, it will go back to factory settings with an empty hard drive, so it’s almost like you’re starting fresh with a new computer.
- Install antivirus and antimalware programs – To protect your computer from harmful viruses and malware, you should install programs that detect and delete these dangerous files. These programs protect your system 24/7, and updates are available almost every day. There are many free options available for download, such as Sophos, which offer all-around protection for your system.
Now that you’ve taken these steps, your computer should run faster, meaning you can get your work done and faster. For more helpful tips, keep up with our monthly blog, and for all your computer needs, inquiries, and questions, call M&H Consulting at 1-(866)-964-8324 or visit our website at http://www.mhconsults.com.
Categorised in: antimalware, antivirus, back up, computer, data management, hardware, malware, Network Issues, tips