Why is my computer so slow?

At PCM Systems, we hear this question day in, day out. While it might seem like there's no clear reason, your computer is more than likely running slow due to one of these 8 common performance issues.

Our IT support experts have broken down the most frequent causes of slow computers and shared 8 simple, effective solutions you can use to speed up your PC and improve its performance. 

1. Too many startup programmes

Each time your computer starts, it's programmed to load all enabled startup applications. A cluttered startup can slow reboot time and reduce overall system performance. This, in turn, limits your device’s ability to run the essential tasks you rely on. Oftentimes, this includes multiple file-syncing apps running simultaneously.  

At PCM, we regularly see this with OneDrive, Google Drive, Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple Sync, and others. These programs are known to run silently in the background and are notorious in competing for your systems resources. 

Our IT support experts recommend: reviewing your startup settings and disabling non-essential programs via the Task Manager (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac). This will immediately quicken the time it takes your device to boot. 

2. Insufficient RAM

Multitasking, running multiple browser tabs, and using resource-intensive programs like AutoCAD or Photoshop demands a significant amount of memory. When running Windows on a PC with 8GB of RAM, your system very easily hits its memory ceiling thus causing it to lag or freeze resulting in forced app closures.

Our IT support experts recommend: Upgrading to 16GB of RAM  or more for improved performance and enhanced multitasking. This is now the standard for most users, particularly necessary for those working with demanding software. 

3. Relying on an HDD instead of an SSD

Traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) are significantly slower than modern solid-state drives (SSDs) especially when accessing large files, starting up and launching basic applications. HDDs thus fall short of today’s performance standards and remain something of the past, as SSDs have become the new standard for overall system efficiency.  

Our IT support experts recommend: Transitioning to an SSD for dramatically improved speed, responsiveness, and reliability. 

4. Storage is full

As you are aware documents, photos, videos, installed applications, all take up vital storage space. Over time, these files may accumulate, gradually eating into your available storage space. As capacity shrinks, your system's responsiveness slows, and applications struggle to launch, updates stall, and overall stability declines.

Our IT support experts recommend: Regularly monitoring your available disk space and remove unused applications, outdated downloads, or large personal files. If storage remains tight, consider upgrading to a larger SSD or migrating data to secure cloud storage. 

5. Malware and viruses

Malicious software can operate silently in the background, consuming CPU power, memory, and network bandwidth without your system showing obvious signs. This hidden activity places additional strain on system resources, often resulting in slow performance, freezing, or most commonly erratic behaviour. Malware is also widely known for breaching sensitive data and compromising internal systems.

Our IT support experts recommend: Running regular antivirus and anti-malware scans using trusted security software. Ensure real-time protection is enabled and keep your threat detection software up to date. If you're unsure how to correctly protect your device from potential threats, our experts are here to help. 

6. Outdated software or drivers

Running outdated applications or drivers can introduce bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. These flaws cause system crashes, slow response times, and prevent newer hardware and software from functioning correctly.

Our IT support experts recommend: Keeping your operating system, drivers, and applications updated with the latest versions. One easy way to reduce the risk of missed patches is to   enable automatic updates where possible. 

7. Not restarting your device

Restarting your device isn’t just a time-wasting cliché, it’s a vital maintenance step. A proper reboot clears temporary files, halts lingering background processes, refreshes memory, and resets system settings. These actions can easily resolve minor glitches and considerably improve overall system performance.

Many of our clients in the past simply used to close their laptop or select “Shut Down,” assuming the device has restarted. When in reality all this does is cause the systems to enter hibernation or hybrid sleep modes, leaving background issues to continue running unresolved.

Our IT support experts recommend: Performing a full restart periodically especially after software updates or extended use. This ensures your system runs optimally and allows background services like OneDrive to update correctly. 

8. Aging hardware

Computers age. Older hardware fails to keep up with the demands of newer, faster applications and operating systems. The basic requirements of current, cutting-edge systems push old, outdated hardware significantly past its limits. This creates frequent system hiccups and lags.

Our IT support experts recommend: Replacing outdated hardware. Though it may cost more upfront, it is a smart long-term move and ensures years of smoother, more reliable performance. We often advise upgrading early before performance issues arise to prevent costly disruptions down the line. 

Final thoughts

If your computer is slowing you down, don’t wait for it to get worse. These issues, whether stemming from outdated hardware, excessive startup processes, or more complex system faults, are common, manageable, and most importantly, not permanent.

At PCM Systems, we understand how disruptive technology issues can be. That’s why we go beyond quick fixes, offering tailored solutions, designed to address the root cause. Our IT support experts provide proactive support within minutes of you calling,  

Whether you're facing lagging, unexpected crashes, security vulnerabilities, or simply unsure what's holding your device back; we're here to support you!

Let PCM get you back up to speed.