Why Do Computers Slow Down Over Time?
Remember the awe you felt when you turned on your new computer and it loaded in a flash? Your computer was the envy of your friends and you weren’t afraid to bathe in its glory. Push the power button, Boom – ready to go, those were the days!
After a year or two though, it doesn’t seem as zippy…no, you’re not imagining it. It really has slowed down, not just in comparison to newer models and your expectations…There’s a measurable drop in efficiency that has nothing to do with worn out parts. The good news is a little maintenance can have it cruising at top speed again. Let’s take a leisurely walk through the system and look at some of the culprits:
Start-up applications: It’s super convenient to have Skype start automatically and your anti-virus too. In fact, many of the applications starting themselves with the computer are essential to your experience. But some of them are getting a little too ‘helpful’.
For example, iTunes helper loads in the background to speed things up when you connect your device – but if you can’t even remember the last time you ran iTunes on your computer, then it can go. Programs like that are holding a portion of your processing power and adding to your speed issues. The average home computer automatically loads around 80+ programs at start-up!
Temporary junk: Computers are kind of messy. They leave temporary files and snippets of information all over your hard drive, each action leaving a trail like a toddler roaming around with peanut butter fingers. Every webpage, every image on the webpage, every program, and every game you run leaves something behind.
It may be the tidbits of information called “cookies”, saved game files, auto-restore files, or even simple work history so you can click undo a hundred times.
More junk can contribute to a slower computer.
Viruses and malware: These infections sit in the background consuming resources while doing various nightmarish things. They may be spying on your actions, stealing your information or reaching out through your network to infect others. Often, the impact is limited to seeing your computer slow to a crawl, however the financial costs of an infection can reach into the thousands with the multiple crypto-infections currently running rampant. More on crypto-infections later this month.
Bloating: With every new version of software comes a new set of features, startup sequences and design improvements. The problem is the application becomes larger and larger with each new version, requiring more system resources to install and run – and slowing your computer down.
Just like cars, computers require regular maintenance to avoid problems and keep things running efficiently. We offer a comprehensive tuneup service to bring your computer back to its original speed and extend its life.
Give us a call at 903 686 0200 to book a tuneup today.