Why Is My Computer Running Slowly?

For Windows Users

1. Check Running Applications:

   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Look under the Processes tab for apps using a lot of CPU, memory, or disk.
   • Select the app and click End Task if it’s not essential.

2. Restart Your Computer:

   • Click the Start Menu, then Power > Restart.
   • A restart clears temporary files and refreshes system processes.

3. Free Up Disk Space:

   • Open Settings > System > Storage.
   • Click Temporary Files and delete unnecessary items like cached files and old updates.

4. Update Your System:

   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Click Check for Updates to ensure you’re using the latest version.

5. Run a Virus Scan:

   • Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
   • Click Quick Scan to check for malware.

For Mac Users

1. Check Running Applications:

   • Press Command + Space and type Activity Monitor, then press Enter.
   • Look at the CPU and Memory tabs for apps using excessive resources.
   • Select an app and click Stop (X) to quit it.

2. Restart Your Mac:

   • Click the Apple Menu > Restart.
   • Restarting clears temporary files and refreshes your system.

3. Free Up Disk Space:

   • Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage.
   • Click Manage and follow recommendations to free up space.

4. Update macOS:

   • Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
   • Install any available updates.

5. Run a Virus Scan:

   • Open your antivirus software (e.g., Webroot, Sophos) and run a quick scan.