Possible Causes

Computers can become slow for a number of reasons. The most common ones are excessive junk files, malware, outdated drivers, and simply becoming old.

Junk Files

The first thing to check for, as it is the most common cause of slowness and can happen regularly, is excessive amounts of files. Your computer naturally stores temporary files as you use it, as well as not automatically removing files you download from the Internet when you no longer need them. The Support Center recommends periodically removing leftover files that you no longer need, such as installers for programs you've already installed or other documents that you no longer need. Windows has a built-in disk cleanup tool, which you can find by searching for "disk cleanup" in the Windows search. The mac has a built-in disk cleanup tool which you can find by clicking on the Apple menu at the top left of your screen, going to "About this Mac" clicking on the tab for storage, and selecting the "Manage" option. Follow the suggestions in these tools to remove leftover and old files. 

Malware

If your computer's performance hasn't been improved enough by clearing junk files, it may have malware on it that is causing it to run slowly. The Support Center uses Malwarebytes to scan for and remove malware. The download for Malwarebytes can be found here. Again, the free version should be fine. Malwarebytes can take considerably longer to run, and the more files you have on your computer, the longer it can take to run. We recommend running a Full Scan the first time you run Malwarebytes and every month or so afterward.

Other Software Issues

If your computer is still slow, this can be caused by having too many programs running at once. Try closing some programs that run in the background and see if that helps. If you need help finding background programs, call The Support Center at 325-674-5555.

If your computer is slow when starting, check to see what programs run at start-up. To do so, follow these directions:

Windows

1. Right-click on the Taskbar.
2. Select "Task Manager."
3. Click "Startup."
4. In the "Status" column, take note of which ones say "Enabled." Many of these don't need to be enabled, and several of them can have a significant impact on your computer's performance. Disable those that are not necessary to run on startup, and restart your computer.

Mac

1. System Preferences>Users & Groups.
2. Select your User ID.
3. Select Log in Items.
4. Click the lock icon and enter an admin password.
5. Select any app you do not want to launch on startup and click the - button.
6. Click the lock to prevent further changes.

Hardware Issues

Sometime, performance issues can be caused by slow or insufficient hardware. Hardware is significantly more expensive and more difficult to repair and replace, so make sure it isn't a software problem before trying any hardware fixes. The Student Repair Center can replace some hardware components of your computer for free, provided you buy the new part. We can also advise you on what to buy and help diagnose which part is causing the slowness. If you suspect that a hardware problem may be causing your computer to be slow, bring it by front desk in the library and have us troubleshoot it further to make sure it isn't a software issue. If we determine that it is indeed a hardware issue, we can check it into the Repair Center for you.

If you have any questions or need help with any of the steps listed here, please feel free to come by the Support desk in the library or call 325-674-5555.