6 Things That Are Slowing Down Your Computer

Working with a sluggish computer isn't any fun. It slows down your productivity, tests your patience to the limits, and makes even the simplest of tasks a nightmare to accomplish. But many times, your computer is being bogged down by easy-to-fix problems that can be resolved fairly easily. Here are some common culprits which might be slowing down your PC.

1. Unwanted and Unused Programs

Downloading and installing programs and files is easy, but if you don't use them they may end up being quite a nuisance. Because they take up storage space, they can make your computer frustratingly slow. Trial software that was installed before you bought your computer, outdated programs and games, and other things that you just don't use are all potential culprits here. Uninstalling these programs frees up disk space and memory, so it's worth the small amount of time and effort necessary to get this task done.

2. Programs Opening at Startup

Does your computer take forever to boot up? If so, you'll want to check for programs that are set to open at startup. Instead of simply allowing your computer to turn on and be ready for you, these programs all open and take time to set themselves up. This can result in an incredibly slow startup, as well as sluggish performance as your computer continues to run programs which you might not need opened.

3. Lots of Cookies and a Full Browser Cache

As you browse the internet, your computer stores small files with information about these websites, as well as about your browsing history. These files are meant to be helpful, as they can aid your computer in opening previously-visited websites more quickly. But after a while, these files can reach a large enough volume that they become detrimental, slowing down your computer by taking up valuable storage space. Clearing out your cookies and cache may help.

4. Excess Browser Plugins

Sometimes you may find that your browser is the problem, rather than your computer itself. Excess plugins on your browser might be slowing it down and making your internet work incredibly difficult. Uninstall toolbars and plugins that aren't really necessary.

5. Viruses and Malware

Not surprisingly, viruses and other malware can be harmful in more than one way. In addition to doing things like causing data loss and spying on you, these malicious programs can also bog down your computer and cause it to run slower. Install a trustworthy anti-virus software to catch bad programs, or go ahead and optimize your entire computer to solve this and many other issues listed here.

6. Outdated Software

Software updates aren't released to annoy you--they're created to help keep your computer and its programs running smoothly. Make sure your browser, operating system, and other programs are regularly updated to avoid bugs, glitches, and unsupported software.