Slow Desktop Computer

[porkchop]

My computer is running slow. Any suggestions as to how i can get it back to normal would be welcome. I deleted unwanted programmes but it is still slow.

[Old_Geezer]

Check for malware. Check task manager for any clues as to what's slowing it. Check how much free space you have left on the C: drive. Check you have maximised the memory you can install.

[Buenchico]

Start by getting rid of any malware that might bed lurking on your computer. Download, install and run the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/
(when installing, take care to deselect the option to take a free trial of the 'Premium' version. When running, don't be surprised if a scan takes ages to run).

The open the Task Manager (via right-clicking on the Task Bar at the foot of your screen) and click on the 'processes' tab. Look for anything (other than 'System Idle Process') that has a figure in the CPU column greater into double-digits. If you spot anything, that could be the cause of your problem. Then look down the Mem Usag column for anything abnormally large. Also look very carefully down the Mem Usage column for any number that keeps changing every second or two (even if the numbers you see are actually quite small). Again, that could indicate a problem. [Post here if you see something suspicious but don't know what it is].

Then examine all of the processes that are running automatically when you start your computer, to see if they're all really required:
Go to Start > Run. Type msconfig into the box and click OK. Click the Startup tab Remove the ticks from alongside things that you don't need running all the time. (Use Google, or ask here, if you don't recognise a process name). Click Apply > OK and restart your computer. Place a tick alongside 'Do not show this message again' when you're advised that you're using Selective Startup.

Alternatively, you can examine your Startup processes more easily by installing (and then running the relevant tool from within) the free version of CCleaner:
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
Also consider using the Windows optimisation features built into CCleaner. (NB: It makes changes to your computer's registry. I've used it lots of times with no problems but there's a very small risk that you might, for example, have to reinstall a program if it accidentally deletes something connected to it).

Then consider which security software you're using. Some programs seem to slow some (but not all) computers to an absolute crawl and a recent update could be the cause of your problem. (Norton used to be notorious for such problems but then got much better. However people seem to be finding problems again. Microsoft Security Essentials slows my computer to a near-standstill. AVG has also given me similar problems. Avast seems OK for me at the moment). Try taking your computer offline and disabling your security software to see if things speed up for you. If they do, find a different security solution.

[hc4361]

Could an overheated fan cause this?

[Buenchico]

>>>Could an overheated fan cause this?

It's a possibility, Hc4361, although I usually associate overheating with computer suddenly shutting down or simply 'throwing a wobbly' in some way. However it would make sense to check that the fan can be heard running normally and that all the vents are clear. Opening up a desktop PC and running a vacuum cleaner around inside from time to time is a sensible bit of housekeeping anyway.

[Old_Geezer]

The fan can get as hot as it likes :-)

[ivor4781]

you said you deleted unwanted progs did you just delete or uninstall them ?
a good prog to download for uninstalling progs and all thier left over files is "revo uninstaller"