When a computer slows down, the impulse is often to either ignore it or wipe the whole system. Both responses are usually wrong. Slowdowns almost always have a specific cause, and finding it takes maybe 20 minutes if you know where to look.
Common Causes of a Slow PC
Too many startup programs. Every application that loads at startup consumes memory and CPU before you've even opened a browser tab. Check your startup applications — you'll likely find a dozen things that don't need to run at boot.
Storage is nearly full. Windows and macOS both need free space to operate efficiently. When a drive is more than 85–90% full, performance degrades noticeably. Free up space or upgrade the drive.
Outdated or fragmented hard drive. If your machine has a traditional spinning hard drive (HDD) rather than a solid-state drive (SSD), it will be dramatically slower — especially after a few years. Upgrading to an SSD is typically the single highest-impact hardware change you can make to an aging machine.
Malware. Background processes from malware consume CPU and memory silently. If a machine becomes suddenly and dramatically slower, malware is high on the suspect list.
Overheating. Dust-clogged vents cause CPUs to throttle their speed to prevent damage. A machine that's slow and runs hot usually needs a good cleaning.
Insufficient RAM. If your machine has 4GB or less, you'll feel it in everyday use. 8GB is the practical minimum for modern computing; 16GB is comfortable.
Not sure what's causing your slowdown? Book a diagnostic assessment and Isaiah will sort it out.