What is making it slow, honestly
The two real causes of a slow computer, and the two fixes that genuinely work.
A computer that took forty seconds to start and now takes four minutes has not worn out. Something has been added.
Everything else — restarting, closing tabs, clearing space — helps a little. Those two are the ones that change the machine.
Key points
- Name the two real causes: too many startup programs, and an old spinning disk
- Turn off a startup program without removing it
- Look at Processes to see what is actually using the memory
- Recognize a “412 errors found” message as an advertisement
What to remember
- Turning off a startup program does not remove it. It only stops it launching uninvited — you can still open it whenever you want.
- Anything that names a number of problems and offers to fix them for money is an advertisement. Close the window and carry on.
- Ending a task loses unsaved work in that one program and nothing else. It is safe, and it is the polite way to deal with something frozen.
Try this
Press Ctrl, Shift and Esc together on your own computer to open Task Manager, and have a look at Startup apps. Count how many say High impact.
Practice: What is making it slow, honestly. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.