Six Tips To Fix Freezing, Lagging and Crashing
A slow, laggy device isn’t just a pain in the you-know where. It’s a major drag on your productivity (not to mention your sanity).
But before you run out to your local retail outlet and drop $1,000+ on a brand-new machine, you should know that there are simpler, cheaper ways to get the performance you want.
In most cases, you can fix a sluggish computer for a fraction of what it costs to buy a new one. Read on to learn exactly how to speed up your slow laptop or desktop and make it run faster.
What Causes Slow Performance?
Your old computer was lightning-fast when you first bought it… but lately it’s slower than a tractor on the highway. What gives? In most cases, it’s a software and storage problem, not a hardware problem.
Think of your computer like a car towing a trailer. Over time, the trailer gets filled up with junk files, random background apps, and big, resource-heavy programs.
The actual car engine hasn’t changed, but now it’s being asked to pull a lot more weight. To improve performance, you need to either soup up the engine or lighten the load in the trailer (or both). These six simple tips can help.
Tip #1: Deep-Clean Your Device
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10% of your computer’s hard drive capacity available at all times. When your hard drive gets full or nearly full, you’ll probably notice a sharp decrease in performance. The best place to start is with a good declutter:
- Clear your cache and cookies and empty your trash.
- Uninstall software you don’t need or use (make sure to uninstall it rather than just deleting the app).
- Move personal files to cloud storage AND an external storage device.
- Take advantage of built-in tools (Storage Sense and Cleanup Recommendations on a PC; Optimize Storage suggestions on a Mac) to identify and remove storage hogs.
- Use TechRestore’s FREE secure computer health check-up. It only takes a few minutes and there is no personal info or software install required. Get your free QuickScan diagnostic report here.
Just a heads up– be wary of deleting files or applications you don’t recognize! Always double-check before you delete, and back up your data as you go. Remember, data redundancy is key. Make sure to duplicate data (back it up to more than one location) to stay safe.
Tip #2: Get a Professional Tune-Up
If your car or truck was driving weird, you’d get it in to the mechanic ASAP. Well, the same goes for your digital devices (computers, tablets, phones… you name it!).
A qualified technician can increase your device’s speed and performance in several ways, starting with a FREE diagnosis:
✓ Perform an in-depth system cleanup
✓ Remove bloatware, junk apps and unnecessary files
✓ Find and remove viruses that may be running in the background
✓ Check your machine’s air vents, fans and thermal settings (your device may throttle performance to prevent overheating during resource-intensive tasks)
If you’re unsure of what files and programs are safe to remove, or you’re not getting the results you want with a DIY cleanup, bring in your device for a tune-up and we’ll be happy to help you out! We also offer mail-in repairs if you’re not local to Louisville.
Tip #3: Upgrade Your RAM and Install a New SSD (PCs)
Your PC’s RAM (random access memory) is one of the biggest drivers impacting performance. RAM is your computer’s short-term memory– it lets the computer temporarily store and access data quickly.
If your computer doesn’t have enough available RAM, it will be slow, laggy and bad at multitasking. Newer devices usually come with ample RAM, but over time that temporary storage space can get as cluttered as your mudroom closet.
Our team at TechRestore can help you speed up your computer by adding more RAM and a new SSD (Solid State Drive). The cost is about 10% of what you’d pay for a new flagship computer, and you’ll notice an instant boost in performance! Get a free quote for this service here.
Tip #4: Install the Latest Operating System
Upgrading your operating system to fix poor performance may seem a bit counterintuitive. After all, newer OS versions tend to be bigger and more resource-heavy.
However, the latest operating system includes features and security patches designed to keep your computer running smoothly. Keeping your software up-to-date also protects you from viruses and malware that can drain your processing power.
Tip #5: Check Your Startup Apps
Many apps have a default setting to launch automatically when you turn on your computer. While this can be a great time-saver, it can also make your computer slow to boot up and less responsive.
Go to System Settings > General > Login Items on your Mac, or Start menu > Task Manager > Startup apps on your PC to see which programs open at login. Disable the ones you don’t need to free up system resources.
Tip #6: Scan for Viruses
While viruses generally don’t consume a lot of space or processing power, malicious code can install hidden software on your PC. If your computer is being used as a home base for spam, crypto mining, or some other nefarious operation, that will absolutely slow it down.
Microsoft Defender is an excellent native security platform that delivers always-on antivirus and anti-malware protection for Windows 11 PCs. In most cases, we recommend using Defender over third-party antivirus programs.
How Often Should You Replace Your Laptop or Desktop Computer?
Following the above tips can add years to your device’s lifespan… but at some point, it will be time for an upgrade. There is no hard-and-fast timeline on when you should replace a computer or other device. It really depends on how you use it!
If you use your computer for basic ‘light’ tasks like web browsing, email and social media, you can expect it to last 5-7 years or more (even longer for a higher-end machine). For business and professional applications, a 3-5 year lifespan is reasonable.
Gamers, programmers and other heavy computer users may want to upgrade more often (every 2-4 years or so) because the latest programs may require more powerful hardware to run properly.
Here are a few signs that you should consider replacing your device:
- Your device is no longer keeping pace with modern tools and applications.
A decade-old computer may not have the correct hardware to run today’s resource-intensive software.
- Your device doesn’t support the latest software release.
Computers that can’t run the current operating systems are vulnerable to hackers, bugs and malware.
- The lack of features is limiting what you can do.
Tech moves fast these days and newer devices often have better cameras and screens, along with groundbreaking features like built-in AI integrations.
Save Time, Money and Hassle: Repair Before You Replace
Don’t feel pressure to replace your expensive computer with an even more expensive computer just because it’s running slow. There are simple, cost-effective solutions that can help you get the speed you need without upgrading every couple years.
