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COMPUTERS GET SLOWER over time. It’s inevitable really. The more you use it, the more likely it’s going to slow down over time until you have to replace it.
Yet while that will happen sooner or later, there are numerous ways to help speed up your PC if it ends up slowing down.
The reasons for this tend to differ, but they usually boil down to a few common things. Here’s what you should look at first before you consider buying new parts (or even a new computer).
Too many background programmes running
Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc will bring up the task manager. If you click on processes and click on the CPU, it will show you those programmes that are using up the majority of your computer’s resources.
The other thing you can do, although you have to remember when you’re using a new computer for the first time is to visit this section the first time and take a note (or screenshot) of the programmes running.
The idea is that those already there are the main services you’re using so if your computer slows down later on, you can check it again, see which programmes are hogging your CPU and reference your notes and see which ones aren’t necessary.
It requires forward thinking (let’s face it, it’s not often that you get a new computer) but if you remember it, it will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Too many programmes starting up
Similar to the above, when you start up your computer, a certain number of programmes will run automatically. While some like anti-virus software are important, there’s likely to be many others that are just using up your computer’s memory unnecessary.
To sort this out, go to Start and click Run (If you’re using a newer version of Windows, just use the search bar that appears). When you’re there, type in ‘msconfig’ and hit enter.
This will bring you to System Configuration where you should click on startup. This will present you with a list of all programmes that start automatically. You can disable all if you want, but it’s better to cycle through them individually so you don’t turn off something important.
Limited amount of free space
For computer memory to function properly, you need free space which mightn’t be there if you install a lot of programmes or games. Checking your C drive properties is a good way of seeing how much space you have, but either way, you should go into add and remove programmes and get rid of any unnecessary installs.
It’s a good rule to keep at least 30% of your computer’s hard drive free, and uninstall any unnecessary programmes when you approach that mark.
Your hard drives aren’t as efficient as they once were
Over time, the more things you install and remove, the less efficient your hard drive becomes. Defragmenting your disk drive is a great way of fixing this as it reconfigures your hard drive so it stores data more efficiently.
The easiest way to get to this is to go into Start and search for Disk Defragmenter. If the percentage of fragmentation is over 10%, then it’s worth carrying out.
Just keep in mind that this takes a bit of time to complete so make sure you don’t need your computer for the next hour or two.
If you’re using Windows 8 or a later version, disk defrag is usually scheduled every week by default (unless you’ve turned it off).
Too much temporary data saved
The more you use certain programmes like web browsers, the more temporary data is saved onto your computer. This is to make certain programmes more efficient but it can quickly fill up your hard drive.
While you can use the standard cleanup programme that Microsoft provides (or go into the ‘Temp’ folder that’s hidden in the Windows folder), an easier way to get rid of this is to install a third-party tool. A great example would be CCleaner which is a comprehensive cleaning tool for PCs and can both clean and defrag your hard drive.
Viruses and malware have infected your computer
Provided you follow basic protocol, you shouldn’t have to worry about this, but it never hurts to scan your computer regularly in case any unwanted programmes have made their way onto your computer.
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This is all so very true. However, what many may not realise, is that when a death happens closer to Christmas, the following year may actually be worse. During the first Christmas, one is still feeling numb so it is the following Christmas that the pain of loss is really felt.
@Joan Brennan: so true Joan, I lost my Mum November 2014 and my Gran who reared me November last year, I barely remember last Christmas, it was so soon after, this year I’ve felt like I can barely breathe and I just desperately want the season and the ads and the decorations gone, it’s been overwhelming on the outside looking in because it only serves as a reminder of who is not here anymore.
@Trish: I am so very sorry. Take a breath and keep breathing. This may sound daft but keep talking to your loved ones, I do this all the time and it helps a little.
@Joan Brennan: Very true Joan, I lost my dad after a very short illness on 17 November, and 24 years later lost my mum on 15 November 2014, both first Christmases were just a blur no interest in any celebrations. My youngest arrived a month early and was born on dad’s anniversary, I’m both happy and sad this time of year a bittersweet time for me. This is our first Christmas after moving back to my parents house, it actually feels good to be home.
This is my first Christmas without my mam she died on New Years Eve. I was her full time carer. I’m finding this week very difficult crying for no reason and getting angry. So I’m dreading New Years even more and she loved Christmas
@Linda Hegarty: Yes you are going to find it difficult and you will miss her and also you are going to miss caring for someone. Sometimes it helps caring a little bit for someone else or even fostering a dog? The best person you can take care of now is yourself. Best wishes.
@Linda Hegarty: I am so sorry Linda because I know how the loss of your mam feels, I too lost my mam at Christmas time two years ago. It is perfectly understandable how you are feeling, you are grieving and memories keep flooding back of the times you shared and this is painful, you obviously loved and cared for your mam very dearly, grief is an individual journey, there are times when you cope better and times when it is all too much, be kind to yourself and remember the love between a mother and daughter is forever, hold on to the love, not the loss, kind regards.
Great article. Its so wrong to have this forced happiness shoved in our face every year! Its like im a outsider looking in, the world gone crazy for the week of xmas.
I much prefer easter, less commercial.
Wheres the scrouge party ? Whos coming?
My mam and dad died at Christmas ,My mam 26 December 1999 and when I was thinking of how hard the next Christmas without my mam was going to be my dad died 8 December 2000 so it was very hard for my family. I missed the two of them alot
They set a place at the table? They buy her a present? A friend of mine died with cf many years in the early 90s so I have a small insight into how such a loss can effect a family. A tethered bird can’t fly. Let go and remember the good times.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: everyones grief is personal,everyone grieves in their own way. I dont think you can have an insight into their loss of their child, unless you gave gone through the same experience.
@breda claffey: plenty people greiving without a death happening. My sympathy is with people alone, unloved and unimportant to anyone. Plenty homes will feature a lone man or woman, no Christmas card, no visitors , no decorations forgotten by everyone.
@Misanthrope:
There are indeed those who do not fit into the usual family pattern. They are the ones who seldom, if ever, are considered at this time of year.
In my own case, I am now an old man, and my partner of 43 years passed away at the end of September 2015. In the two following Christmases I travelled trying to avoid the devastating loneliness and the painfully bitter remembrance of happier times. This Christmas I decided I should no longer try to avoid the unavoidable, so I have stayed at home. It has not been easy. The sense of the finality gnaws at the emotions. But I call to mind that there are many whose situations are worse than mine and my heart goes out to them, and this puts my grief into a more balanced context
I know from previous bereavements in time’ ‘scar tissue’ will build over the current open would of loss, but the sense of loss always remains. The pain of grief will slowly metamorphose into memories. But travelling the road to that point is not easy. And for the present, even though I look for comfort wherever I can find it, the loneliness and sense of being bereft dominate what remains of my life. Peace and comfort to all who are bereaved.
All I can say to anyone grieving for a loved one at any time is try to remember the good times you shared with them, and remember how happy they were when they made you smile.
I cared for my late mum on my own for about fifteen years ago… Lost her on July 15th, 2014… First Christmas was just an endurance test “Get through it” was my motto!… I have found the intervening Christmas seasons much worse!… January 1st is REALLY bad for me at about 8pm… That was when Mum left the house by ambulance and never returned alive!… Thinking of, and praying for everyone who is grieving…. May your loved ones rest in peace….
@Carolyn Akintola: Carolyn I understand exactly how you are feeling. My mam had a stroke in my arms at 8pm on Stephens night my last memory of her at home last year and died at 7.30am on New Years Eve.
@Linda Hegarty: So sorry to hear about your mum… Yes, it’s awful, isn’t it???… My mum had Kidney Failure and Parkinson’s… Went into hospital on Jan 1st, and died six and a half months later… Wishing you peace, Linda…. Happy Christmas…..
x
@sean o’dhubhghaill: you have absolutely no insight into how the death of a child affects a family from the outside looking in. If setting a place etc comforts them a little, why not? It isn’t a matter of not letting go , it’s recognising that that person will always be a part of you. Personally I like to buy my late son a “gift” every time I go away – it feels like including him
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