Why is my computer so slow? 8 fixes to try first

1. Restart it properly

Plenty of people close the lid and never truly shut down. Weeks of open programs and half-finished updates pile up, and things get sluggish.

Click the Start menu, then Power, then Restart. On a Mac, use the Apple menu and choose Restart. Do this once a week and you may be surprised at the difference.

2. Close the extra browser tabs

Every tab uses memory. Thirty tabs across two browser windows can slow an older computer to a crawl, even if you're only looking at one of them.

While you're there, check your browser extensions. These are small add-ons, and you may have picked up a few without meaning to. Remove anything you don't recognise.

3. Stop programs loading at startup

Many programs set themselves to start with your computer, whether you need them or not.

• Windows: press Ctrl, Shift and Esc to open Task Manager, then go to Startup apps. Right-click anything you don't need straight away and choose Disable.
• Mac: open System Settings, then General, then Login Items, and remove what you don't need.

If you aren't sure what something does, leave it alone or look it up first. Disabling a program at startup doesn't remove it, so you can still open it later.

4. Free up disk space

Computers need breathing room. If your drive is nearly full, everything slows down. Aim to keep at least 15 to 20 per cent free.

• Windows: go to Settings, then System, then Storage. Storage Sense can clear temporary files for you.
• Mac: open the Apple menu, then System Settings, then General, then Storage.

The biggest culprits are usually videos, old downloads and programs you no longer use. Empty the Recycle Bin or Trash afterwards, or you won't get the space back.

5. Install your updates

Updates fix bugs and security holes, and sometimes they help with speed. Run them, then restart. It may be slow for a while as it finishes, so do this when you have time to spare.

If you're still on Windows 10, be aware that Microsoft ended regular support in October 2025. Your computer will keep working, but it no longer gets the usual free security updates. Check whether it can move to Windows 11 under Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update.

6. Check for malware

Unwanted software can quietly eat up your computer's power. Windows has a built-in tool, so you don't need to install anything. Search for Windows Security, open Virus & threat protection and run a full scan.

Watch out for programs that promise to speed up your PC. Some of them are scams, and many just scare you into paying for them. If a pop-up says you have hundreds of problems, close it and don't call any number it shows.

7. See what is working so hard

Task Manager on Windows, or Activity Monitor on a Mac, shows which programs are using your computer's resources. Sort by CPU or Memory and see what is at the top.

If one program is using most of the CPU when you aren't doing anything, try closing it. If you don't recognise it, look up its name on another device before doing anything else.

While you're in there, feel the computer. If it's hot and the fan is racing, dust could be blocking the vents. Keep laptops on a hard surface, as a doona or cushion blocks the airflow.

8. Consider an upgrade before you replace it

If you've tried everything above and it's still slow, the problem may be the hardware. Two upgrades make the biggest difference:

• A solid state drive (SSD). If your computer still has a spinning hard drive, this is the upgrade that matters. An older machine can feel almost new.
• More memory (RAM). For everyday use, 8GB is a sensible minimum and 16GB gives you room to grow.

Not every computer can be upgraded. Many newer laptops and most Macs have parts soldered in place. It's also worth weighing up the cost, because spending money on a very old machine may not make sense.

When to call a Nerd

Book a visit if you've worked through this list and nothing has helped, or if you would rather not poke around in the settings. Call us straight away if you hear clicking or grinding, get blue screens, or see the computer shut itself down. Turn it off in the meantime, because those can be signs of a failing drive, and your files come first. We can tell you what is going on, whether an upgrade is worth it, and what it will cost.