Devices and protection
Why computers get slower over time
It was fast when you got it. Three years later, it takes a coffee break to open Outlook.
1 min readExplainer
The short version
Computers get slower over the years. Here are the usual reasons and what actually helps.
The usual causes
- More software at startup. Each program you install may add something that runs in the background from the moment you sign in.
- Heavier software. Updates add features, websites get more complex and video calls use more power. The work has grown heavier while the computer stayed the same.
- Not enough memory. With many browser tabs, Teams and Outlook open at once, a computer with too little memory slows down as it shuffles things around.
- A nearly full drive. Computers need free space to work; when the drive fills up, everything slows.
- Not restarting. Putting a laptop to sleep for weeks lets small problems build up.
- Hardware problems: a failing drive, a battery that is wearing out, or dust stopping the fan from cooling it.
What helps
- Restart at least once a week.
- Close what you are not using, especially browser tabs.
- Free up space by moving files to OneDrive or SharePoint and emptying the recycle bin.
- Tell your IT provider. They can check for failing parts, background programs and missing updates.
When it is time
Sometimes the honest answer is that the computer is too old for today’s work. Replacing it costs less than a person losing time every day.
Talk to us about your technology
Tell us what you run today and what is getting in the way. We will get back to you about how we can help.