Complete Slow Windows Computer & Slow Browser Fixes

2/25/2019 - Optimized for Firefox 65.0.1

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INDEX - Slow Windows Computer Fixes

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 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

OTHER INFORMATION