When the computer isn’t working at its usual optimized speed, responds slower than expected or does not respond at all, then, your computer is facing an issue as we call it ‘Slow Performance’ issue. The root cause can be a number of reasons, however, try the following steps to identify and fix the issue.

Microsoft often releases new updates for its Operating Systems. The updates usually contain bug fixes which protect your computer from being vulnerable to harmful threats or internal errors. [Updates also protect you from zero day vulnerabilities.]

Though operating systems by default have the Automatic installation option enabled for Windows update, check the following steps to verify.

For Windows 7, open Control Panel click on System and Security then click on ‘Windows Update’. In the Windows update window, click on ‘Check for updates’ and then the button check for updates. Once the checking is done, click on ‘Install updates’.

For Windows 8/8.1, press on Windows key + I and click on Change PC settings. From the menu, click on Update and Recovery, Windows update and Check for update. Once the checking is done, click on ‘Install updates’.

For Windows 10, press on Windows key + I and click on Update and security settings.  Next click on Windows update from the left menu and click on Check for updates. Windows 10 would now automatically download and ‘Install the updates’.  

To add more to windows updates, have a routine practice of checking your browser versions.  Browsers are the gateway to major virus and malware attacks.

Third option that you have to keep a keen eye on is ‘Drivers’. Modern operating system contains the facility to update the drivers on its own, yet it is wise to check for updates when the computer performs slower even when lesser programs are running.

Rebooting the computer solves major number of issues. When a computer is slow, usually it’s the tasks which get estranged from each other. The responses to your commands would queue up and be processed slower. Sometimes the hardware components might have over heated and that would have had a direct effect on computer’s performance. Modern day computers have developed a way of killing these blockades, yet a start from scratch now and then helps out the computer.

In Hard drives particularly, the partition in which the operating system is installed should have enough free space with respect to usage. Sometimes insufficient disk space too could cause issue, while other concerning options meet the criteria.

Fragmentation of data on disk can make computer strain a lot. Disk Defragmentation option would ensure rearranging the data in an effective way.

For Windows 7, click on All Programs> Accessories, under accessories click on System Tools and Disk defragmenter. It might request you to type in the Administrator password and then hit Defragment. The Defragmentation process possibly would take hours to finish.

For Windows 8, the option is enabled by default so if you haven’t changed any setting, a scheduled check will happen on the computer to optimize the drives. If you still want to check the defragmentation manually, Press Windows key + Q or open the Charms bar to search “Defragment” and from the result choose the option Defragment and optimize your drives. A new window will open up with all the details regarding drives in it, and you only have to defrag if the drive is more than 10 percent fragmented.

Vital Information Resources Under Siege (VIRUS) can also be a reason. Unlike other concerns, this is something serious to be considered. A virus or malware could have been created for various purposes but their consistent side effect would be to take a toll on performance of computer. Always use Antivirus or Anti-Spyware software to scan your computer.

The best method to handle the situation would be to avoid it in the first place. Periodically scan the computer and prevent visiting of suspicious websites. Beyond precautions there are still chances of computer being infected and that being the reason for the slow speed of your computer.