Speed Up Windows on What Should be a Fast PC

A number of factors could be slowing down a PC. Let's look at some of the common ones, starting with the issues that are the easiest to detect and to fix.

Defrag the Hard Drive

I'll be honest; it's been at least a decade since I've seen empirical evidence proving that afragmented hard drive slows a PC. But a lot of people insist that it does, and defragging certainly won't hurt. To defrag your hard drive:

1. Click Start and select Computer or My Computer.
2. Right-click your C: drive and selectProperties.
3. Click the Tools tab, then the Defragment now button.

Check For Malware

A malicious program working in the background could slow down your PC while also doing more serious damage. If your PC is infected, chances are that your existing antivirus program is compromised. Try something else. I recommend using the free version of either SUPERAntiSpyware orMalwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Or the AVG Rescue CD, which scans in a non-Windows--and therefore non-infected--environment.