Complete Slow Windows Computer & Slow Browser Fixes
2/18/2022 - Optimized for Firefox 97.0.1 (Quantum)
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INDEX - Slow Windows Computer Fixes
AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes|
BATTERY Operated - slow |
BOOKMARKS - Reduce the number of Bookmarks |
Browser Applications - Use as few as Possible |
Clear your Web Browsing History |
CPU HOGS |
DISK FRAGMENTED |
HARDWARE Problems |
INTERNET Connection is slow |
MALWARE / Viruses / Worms,... |
PUP - Probably/Possibly Unwanted Programs |
REGISTRY Problems causing slowness - THIS IS THE BEST FIX |
RELATED INFORMATION |
SPEED UP WEB SURFING |
TEMPORARY Files - too many |
TOO MANY Programs running |
Tools Bars - Use Fewer |
Too many UPDATES causing slowness |
Use as few Browser Applications as Possible |
Use Fewer Tools Bars |
WEB SURFING - SPEED UP|
WiFi SLOW? others may be using your network |
THE PRIMARY REASONS YOUR COMPUTER IS RUNNING MORE SLOWLY
There are 10 main reasons for your computer to be running slowly and mis-behaving
(I am talking about how your computer used to run much faster and better than it does now).
I am NOT responsible for any problems you have while attempting these suggestions.
You follow or not follow my suggestions at your own risk. Caveat Emptor.
1] Your Windows Registry has bad and/or missing entries in it
This is the most common problem and often is the result from newly
installed software or software updates (that may have been installed months ago)
- CLEANS the Windows Registry file.
Follow these instructions - CLEAN Windows Registry File
2] You may have Malware (viruses, worms, Trojans,...) installed
This is the second most common problem.
please see: Complete Computer & Mobile Security Information - MAY BE TOO MUCH DETAIL for you
UNLESS you are really suspicious of Malware I would deal with this Malware
Removal last, as it can be very time consuming.
IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN RUNNING AN ANTI-MALWARE PROGRAM, YOU ARE PROBABLY
IN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION, AND THERE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE A CURE
FOR YOUR PROBLEMS (some Root-kits are very difficult or impossible to remove).
You may also wish to view this web page for computer security recommendations
- I would call this prevention - before you get infected:
My computer security RECOMMENDATIONS
3] You may have hardware problems or very old (slow) hardware
Not much you can do about this, cheaply.
If you run Windows on less that 2 GB of memory (RAM) you might consider adding more RAM.
Check your owner's manual to see it this is possible, on your computer.
Windows 95 can NOT handle more than 2 GB of RAM, even if the computer supports it.
Check to see how much memory your version of Windows can use.
Check to see how much memory your Motherboard can use.
NO 32-bit version of Windows can use more than 4 GB of Memory.
Why can't 32-bit Windows access 4GB of RAM?
A technology called Physical Address Extension (PAE) allows a 32-bit processor to
access up to 64GB.
The good news is that your processor almost certainly supports PAE. The bad news:
Unless you're running a server edition, your copy of Windows may not.
ACTUALLY, MOST ALL NEW (non real-cheap) COMPUTERS can run x64 bit Windows
(7, 8 or 8.1) correctly.
(It's actually a little bit less than 4 GB - so there is no
reason for a 32-bit Windows system to have more than 4 GB of
memory.
With Win 8.x there is really no sense in running 32 bit as you get both
in the price. Even if you have less than 8GB (and now most computers are
getting to the point that they all have at least 4 or more) installing
the 64Bit version makes it easy to upgrade the memory and actually use
it w/o a fork lift upgrade to the OS - TNewsom
Also, there is a new standard in the works that will allow Graphics
cards to seemlessly use system (computer) memory if the graphics
card runs out of on-board memory (memory on the graphics card.
4] If you are using a battery operated computer, PLUG IT IN
Most mobile computers (laptops, notebooks, etc.) run more slowly if not
plugged into the wall outlet, to conserve battery power.
5] You may have too many temporary files on your system
install and run CCleaner in the CLEANER mode.
(This is the default mode for CCleaner).
CCleaner
6] Internet Connection is Slow(er than usual)
Internet Connection is Slow(er than usual)
If you are using your own wireless connection, someone else (nearby) may be
stealing some of your wireless bandwidth, slowing down your connection.
How to Lock Down your wireless WiFi connnection to keep other people OFF
7] A program(s) may be hogging (consuming) too much of your CPU
slowing everything down - This is a more advanced topic - CPU HOGS - Combating:
CPU HOGS
8] You may have too many UN-needed programs running
You can change program Startup times to: NEVER, WHEN-NEEDED, DELAYED, NORMAL
More on this here, but NOT needed by most people and is technical,
so I do NOT suggest this for most people.
WHAT IS RUNNING ON YOUR WINDOWS SYSTEM?
SPEEDUP WINDOWS BOOT PROCESS
9] Your disk may be fragmented
meaning that instead of a file being in one contiguous allocation, it is
split into many little pieces in-order-to get it to fit on the hard drive.
As systems get used and software is updated, the disk becomes more fragmented,
eventually reaching a point where the system is sluggish because it has to keep
locating and loading many, many small files, rather than one larger one.
You can compact the disk to remove the fragmentation - BE CAREFUL,
IF YOUR COMPUTER CRASHES WHILE DEFRAGGING THE DISK, IT IS POSSIBLE,
BUT NO LIKELY, FOR THE DISK TO BECOME CORRUPTED (UNUSABLE).
Instructions coming soon...
10] Lots of Windows and Program Updates
The more you update the Windows Operating System and other programs,
the slower your computer may run because you are causing disk fragmentation.
You MUST install the updates, else your computer may become fatally infected,
or it may crash and lose your data - so there is really no alternative to
updating.
It is possible to Deframent your hard drive, which can help improve the speed
of your computer.
SPEED UP YOUR WEB SURFING
11] Clear your Web Browsing History
CCleaner is both good and free - I've used it for many years.
I have used this for Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10,Windows 8/8.1, Windows 2008,
Windows 2003 32 and 64-bit versions. I have never had a problem with CCleaner.
GET THE FREE, UNSUPPORTED VERSION OF CCLEANER
Run CCleaner [the FREE version] in it's default Cleaner Mode.
It uses the icon of a Broom and it's title is Cleaner.
It will remove unneeded files and clear unneeded caches.
If this does not help, I would run CCleaner in Registry Cleaner Mode
- this is completely safe (never had, nor hear of, a problem) - this
is STEP 1), above, Clean Registry File,
in this document.
REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER AFTER CLEANING IT'S REGISTRY FILE.
12] Reduce the number of Bookmarks
More Details coming soon.
13] Use Fewer Tools Bars
More Details coming soon.
14] Use as few Browser Applications as Possible
More Details coming soon.
15] PUPs - Probably/Possibly Unwanted Programs
PUPs can also slow down your computer or browsing.
My fairly secure Windows 8 computer got the BrowserSafeguard.exe Infection.
BrowserSafeguard.exe is not really malware - it checks every web page you visit it see if it is safe.
BrowserSafeguard.exe caused my very fast Intel 8 thread computer to run very slowly.
I already had 2 1/2 FAST programs check web sites for Malware - I sure did not want
this one (BrowserSafeguard.exe) running on my computer.
Once installed, BrowserSafeguard.exe will change the default search engine and home
pages in all major web browsers, and if you try to revert to their default settings,
this program will not allow you to perform these changes.
BrowserSafeguard.exe is bundled within the installer of many toolbars, adware and other
potentially unwated programs, with the sole purpose of making the removal process of this
programs more difficult. Some examples of infections that will install the BrowserSafeguard.exe
program are: Delta toolbar, MixiDJ toolbar, Search-Results toolbar, Claro-Search toolbar,
DealPly, WebCake, SelectionLinks and many more programs.
I was going to write my own instructions on how to remove BrowserSafeguard.exe, but
I found Remove BrowserSafeguard.exe by iBryte (Virus Removal Guide) - iBryte and
the instructions there worked very well for me.
WARNING: I SUGGEST ONLY PC TECH PEOPLE RUN THESE INSTRUCTIONS and
ONLY AFTER BACKING UP YOUR COMPUTER (they did work fine for me, but it is making
changes to your files and your registry file, and you could end up with a non-working
computer.
I would NOT run STEP # 5, Double-check for the BrowserSafeguard.exe infection with HitmanPro,
in the link above, because it wants to install BrowserSafeguard.exe, which was my problem
in the first place.
I.E., run only steps 1 through 4:
STEP 1: Uninstall BrowserSafeguard.exe programs from your computer
STEP 2: Remove adware with AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes
STEP 3: Remove browser hijackers with Junkware Removal Tool
STEP 4: Remove BrowserSafeguard.exe & other viruses with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
I rebooted after STEP 2 and again, after STEP 3 and after STEP 4.
If you get any problems with Norton 360, disregard until you have completed STEP 4,
my Norton problems went away after the reboot.
16] EMOTICONS DO NOT SHOW ON YOUR DISPLAY
But other people see them in your Messages.
EMOTICONS (example: using "<3" for a heart) NOT VISABLE IN FIREFOX or other software
17] KEYLOGGERS - Keystrokes seem slower than usual
KEYLOGGERS
How to FOOL / CONFUSE KEYLOGGERS
RELATED INFORMATION
Acronyms, Glossary, Definitions - Computer, Electronics, Networking, Security, Viruses, Wireless,...
Woodsmall's Recommended Technical Books
SECURITY - Computers and Mobile devices
Complete WINDOWS REGISTRY Information
RECOMMENDED computer protection steps to take
REGISTRY - Complete Windows Registry Information
VIRUSes, Computer - Detecting, Removing, Preventing,...
WINDOWS TIPS
WINDOWS TIPS - Specific Versions of Windows
Wireless / PDA / Handhelds
DIGITAL - DVD, Music, Photography, Printers, Recording, monitors, Resolution, Video
ENCRYPTION, Compression, RFID, Smart Cards, AI, & Fuzzy Logic
ETHERNET, 802.11x, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, isoEthernet
Fibre Channel
GRAPHICS INFO
IP, IPsec, IPv4, IPv6, FCIP, iFCP, PPP, SoIP, TCP, TCP/IP, TOE, VoIP
Linux
NETWORKS, Buses, USB & Communications Info
SAN / NAS / SATA / Storage / CIM / EIDE / ATA / IDE
SCSI / iSCSI / RAID / SAS / SMI-S
Secure Connections
TECHNICAL INFORMATION - Older Computer Topics
UNIX
OTHER RESOURCES - Caveat Emptor
Kim Komando
ProProfs Web School - Computers
windowsnetworking.com
I am sorry that I am not able to help you with any problems - These sites may help
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