We understand the frustration that is felt when your system takes ages to boot or open applications. This usually happens because you have got a lot of programs running, and more specifically, more programs than your system can handle. We can liken it to a vehicle carrying more load than its capacity. It would be harder for an overburdened vehicle to speed up or say go up a hill, just the same as it would be difficult for your PC to load programs.

And just the same way your burdened car runs the risk of getting its tires blown out, you risk damaging your PC and memory drives when you continue using a lagging system without finding a way to resolve it.

There are several steps to take in resolving your lagging system, and in this article, we will be taking you through some of them.

Close programs that are slowing down your computer

There could be some programs on your PC that use a lot of memory, slowing down your computer. The programs could be open in Windows or could be high-level apps running automatically in the background. The case could be that those programs are incompatible with your memory space, or you are running more programs than your PC can handle at the same time. Whichever the case may be, in order to get your computer speed back up, you would need to have to identify the burdening programs and close these programs.

Here is how to close unnecessary running programs on your Windows computer:

1. Press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete on your keyboard.
2. Open the Task Manager.
3. Click on the Processes tab and you will see a list of running applications.
4. Select the applications that you aren’t currently using and select End Process.

Please, note: On most of the most recent Windows versions, all running processes will show as soon as you open the Task Manager.

Here is how to close unnecessary running programs on your Mac computer:

1. Click on the Spotlight icon at the top-right corner of your Mac.
2. Type Activity Manager into the search bar and when it pops up in the result, click start it.
3. When Activity Manager starts, look through the running applications on your Mac and stop the unnecessary ones by clicking on them and selecting the X on the toolbar.

Disable startup apps

There are some applications that have been programmed to load as you startup to reduce load time when you need to use them. Some of these applications or drivers are needed to start up your computer. However, some others aren’t needed and they contribute to needless tasks that cause your computer to lag.

To resolve this, what you would need to do is stop these apps from running at start-up. And you can achieve that on your Windows PC with the following steps:

1. Open the Task Manager.
2. Click on the Start-up tab and you will see a list of applications.
3. Select the applications that you know wouldn’t be necessary for starting up your computer and select Disable.

The steps are quite different on Mac computers.

1. Search System Preferences from the Spotlight, and click on it when it shows in the results
2. From System Preferences, click on Users & Groups, and then select Login Items.
3. This is where you will find a list of applications set to run at startup. You can select them and click on the minus button below to stop them.

Update your web browser

Your computer could be slowing down because you are using outdated versions of your web browsers. Web browsers always work on bringing optimal experiences to their users, and you could be missing out on a smoother experience if you do not update.

Other things that could be causing the lag on your system are the extensions or add-ons that you have installed on your web browser. Some of these add-ons were installed on a whim, and after their initial usage, have not been used again. To free your system up, you should access the list of add-ons and extensions you have installed and delete the ones that you do not need.

Get more memory space

Your RAM capacity determines the type of applications that can run on your system and how many can run at the same time. Anytime you open a file, save a document, change tabs on your web browser, or type an email, you are using your RAM.

Now, what happens when your current RAM is low is that it would take longer for these tasks to complete, or you might not be able to do them while other applications are running in the background.

So if your current RAM is too low for all the applications and tasks you have to run, you should consider getting a RAM upgrade, instead of deleting files or disabling applications.

Getting a hard drive with more capacity would also help you handle more programs on your computer without it slowing down. 

How long have you had that system? You are probably using a hard disk drive (HDD) that is well out of date. Truly, your HDD can be perfectly capable of holding your files. However, it is advisable to consider upgrading your storage drive to a more recent and compatible solid-state drive (SSD). SSD technology allows you to access your files faster, and it does this with less power than an HDD would.

Defragment your HDD

You can still make your computer faster and stick with your HDD. What you need to do is defragment it.

There are files your computer needs that are scattered all over the HDD. This makes getting those files a slower process. However, when you defragment your hard drive, you make your files more easily accessible to your computer, thereby speeding the process it takes to get them.

Freeing up your computer can allow you to do more without running the risk of a crash or loss of important files, however, you might require some expert assistance to ensure that you are doing the right thing. Well, if you live around Greater Pittsburgh, you are in luck. Jelnic offers IT services for individuals and small businesses in the area and can provide all the assistance you would need in reviving your PC. You can visit our website to learn more about us, and contact us for our services.