The longer you use your computer without any basic maintenance, the more it will slow down. If you've noticed a significant drop in your computer's speed lately, or are trying to start up an older computer, there are several things you can do.
Necessary
- - AdwCleaner
- - Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Instructions
Step 1
Restart your computer if you have problems. This may seem like a simple suggestion, but restarting your computer will solve more problems than you think. Be sure to save your open documents before rebooting.
Step 2
Restart your network if you cannot connect to the Internet.
If you were able to visit websites and now you cannot, try restarting your network equipment. This often fixes connectivity issues with modems and routers.
- Unplug the power cable from the modem and unplug the power cable from your router (if you have one).
- Wait about thirty seconds, then turn on the modem.
- After the lights on your modem turn on, turn on the router again. Your network should start up again in a minute.
Step 3
Check your computer clock.
If your system clock has somehow been set incorrectly, you will not be able to download security certificates from websites. This can cause problems with the loading of many web pages. Check the system clock and set it to the correct time.
Step 4
Reboot the printer if you are unable to connect to it.
If your printer no longer appears, a reboot may cause it to appear again. Turn off the printer using the power button or unplug the power cord. Wait about thirty seconds, then turn it back on.
Step 5
Open the control panel.
If your web browsers are slow, or you suffer from pop-ups, advertisements, and toolbars, you may have an ad infiltration. Adware is unwanted software designed to hijack your web browser, leading to various search queries. The first step towards eliminating these infections is to remove unknown programs through the control panel. The process depends on your version of Windows:
- Windows 10 and 8 - right-click on the Windows button and select "Control Panel".
- Windows 7, Vista and XP. Click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel" from the "Start" menu.
Step 6
Select "Uninstall a Program" or "Programs and Features".
This will display a list of all programs installed on your computer.
Delete them to free up space and potentially speed up your computer's startup time.
Step 7
Download AdwCleaner.
This is a free utility that will check for common adware and malware and then remove whatever it finds.
Run AdwCleaner. Click the "Scan" button in AdwCleaner to scan your PC for infections. This may take about 20 minutes. Once the scan is complete, click Clean to remove any infiltrations detected by AdwCleaner.
Step 8
Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The free version of this program can find and remove most infections. You can download the installer, run the installer after downloading it to install the program.
Run a scan in Anti-Malware. Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and download any updates if prompted. Run a scan of your computer, which may take 20-30 minutes. Remove anything that the scan detects by clicking Quarantine All after the scan is complete.
Step 9
Reset your web browsers. Your web browsers may still have malware leftovers removed by scanners. Resetting your browsers will remove any additional software and return them to their default settings:
- Internet Explorer - click the "Tools" button and select "Internet Properties". Go to the Advanced tab and click Reset. Check the box next to "Delete personal settings" and click "Reset".
- Chrome. Click the Chrome Menu button and select Settings. Click Show Advanced Settings and then scroll down the page. Click "Reset Settings" and then click "Reset".
- Firefox. Click the Firefox Menu button and then click? Select Troubleshooting Information and click Refresh Firefox. Click Refresh Firefox again to confirm.
Step 10
Restart your computer and run Anti-Malware and AdwCleaner again. After finishing cleaning and resetting shortcuts and browsers, you must restart your computer and run both scans again.
