Content

• Steps

The longer you use your computer without maintenance, the slower it will run. Lately, if you've noticed that your computer is running much slower than before, or you want your old computer to run faster then there is a lot of work you can do. If the computer crashes or some other problem, the workaround might be simply to restart. If your computer is infected with adware, you can use a variety of programs to scan and remove threats.

Steps

Part 1 of 6: Solving the basics

1. 

   Restart your computer if there is a problem. While this sounds simple enough, restarting your computer solves more problems than you might think. Make sure you have saved any open text before restarting.

2. 

   
   
   Reset network if you cannot connect to the Internet. If you could go to the website before and now you can't, try restarting the network. This method usually fixes connection problems related to the modem and the router.
   • Unplug the power cord of the modem and unplug the power cord of the router (if any).
   • Wait about 30 seconds, then reconnect the modem.
   • After the modem lights are on, plug in the router again. Your network should be up and running in about a minute.

3. 

   
   
   Check your computer's clock. If the system clock is not set correctly, you may not be able to load confidential information from websites. This can cause problems when you load multiple webpages. You should check the system clock and time settings are correct.

4. 

   
   
   Restart the printer if you cannot connect to it. If you don't see the printer, a restart might help the printer reappear. You can turn off the printer using the power button or unplug the power cord. Wait about 30 seconds and then turn it on again. advertisement

Part 2 of 6: Adware removal and browser cleanup (on Windows)

1. 

   Open Control Panel. If your web browser is running slowly, or you constantly see pop-ups, ads, and multiple toolbars, chances are you have been infected with adware. Adware is unwanted software that is designed to harm your web browser, entice you to search in the other direction, and flood your browser with ads. The first step to getting rid of this infection is to uninstall the strange programs using Control Panel. The process will be slightly different depending on the version of Windows operating system:
   • For Windows 10 and 8 - Right click on the Windows button and choose "Control Panel".
   • For Windows 7, Vista, and XP - Click the Start button and choose "Control Panel" from the Start menu.

2. 

   Select "Uninstall a program" or "Programs and Features.’ You will see a list of programs installed on your computer.

3. 

   Look for strange recently installed programs. You can sort the list by installation date, meaning you can easily find recently installed programs without your knowledge. Go through each program in the list and highlight the strange ones. Do a web search for each strange program to see if it's an unwanted program.

4. 

   Select the unwanted program and click "Uninstall.’ Follow the instructions to uninstall the program from the system. Repeat the steps for other programs you want to remove.
   • Now is the right time to remove programs you no longer need. Old games, unused browsers, disposable add-ons that never crash again, and other programs can all contribute to slow computer performance. Remove them to free up memory and improve your computer's boot speed.

5. 

   Download AdwCleaner. This is a free utility that scans for popular malware and adware, then removes what it finds. You can download AdwCleaner from.

6. 

   Run AdwCleaner. Click the "Scan" button in AdwCleaner to scan your computer for infections. This should take about 20 minutes. Once the scan is complete, click "Clean" to remove any infected items that AdwCleaner finds.

7. 

   Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The free version of this program can find and remove most infections. You can download the installer by going to and selecting "Download". Then you can click the button "Download Free Version". Run the installer after downloading to install the program.

8. 

   Perform a scan in Anti-Malware. Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and download any updates if prompted. Computer scanning can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. You can remove anything scanned by clicking "Quarantine All" after the scan is complete.

9. 

   Download and run Shortcut Cleaner. Many adware will add a link to a browser shortcut, causing the fake website to still load even after the infection has been removed. The free Shortcut Cleaner program created by the anti-malware community has the ability to scan all shortcuts and remove malicious links. You can download the scan here. Run the downloaded program to quickly scan and fix browser shortcuts.

10. 

    Reset your web browser. The web browser may still have some leftover malware left behind by the scanning program. Restarting the browser removes any strange software and returns it to its default settings:
    • Internet Explorer - Click the Tools button and select "Internet options". Click the "Advanced" tab and click "Reset". Check the box for "Delete personal settings" and click "Reset".
    • Chrome - Click the Chrome Menu button and select "Settings". Click "Show advanced settings" and scroll to the bottom. Click "Reset settings" then click "Reset".
    • Firefox - Click the Firefox Menu button, then click "?". Select "Troubleshooting Information" and click "Refresh Firefox". Click "Refresh Firefox" one more time to confirm.

11. 

    Restart the computer, run Anti-Malware and AdwCleaner again. After cleaning up, restarting the shortcut and the browser is done, you should restart your computer and scan again with both programs. There might still be something left behind after the reboot. advertisement

Part 3 of 6: Uninstall the adware and clean up Safari (on Mac)

1. 

   Uninstall any strange programs in your Applications folder. The Applications folder contains all the programs installed on the system. If you see some suspicious programs that you do not recognize, drag them to the trash (Trash) to uninstall.
   • Do a web search for each unfamiliar program to see what it features and if it's safe.

2. 

   Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. This program used to be called AdwareMedic, and is one of the most effective tools to find and remove malware on Mac. You can download the program for free above.
   • After downloading the file, double-click on it and drag Anti-Malware for Mac to your Applications folder.
   • If you see a message saying that you cannot install the program because it is not a program on the App Store, right click (Ctrl-click) on the downloaded file, choose "Open", then click "Open" again.

3. 

   Run Anti-Malware for Mac and scan the computer. You will be prompted for the admin password when you run Anti-Malware for the first time. This step is needed to remove some files in protected locations that require special permissions. Click the "Scan" button to start scanning your Mac for malware. This will take place over a period of 15-20 minutes.

4. 

   Click "Remove Selected Items" after scanning is complete. This is the step to remove anything that Anti-Malware found during the scan. You may be asked to restart your computer to complete the scan. advertisement

Part 4 of 6: Computer Optimization (Windows)

1. 

   Windows Update. Installing the latest updates can help fix the errors you are having and keep your computer secure and stable. Windows Update will help check and install all updates. Open your desktop or Start menu and type "windows update" to search for the Windows Update utility.
   • On Windows 10, you can find the Windows Update utility in the "Update & Security" section of the new Settings menu.

2. 

   Check available storage space. The amount of storage on the hard drive usually does not have a big effect on performance, but if there is less than 20% of the available storage space on the hard drive with the Windows operating system installed, the computer may run slowly. Windows uses this free space to move and store temporary files, so if it's too little, it can slow your computer down. You should regularly delete old files to keep your system running smoothly.
   • Open the Computer / This PC window (click ⊞ Win+E) and search for the Windows drive (usually drive C :). This drive should have at least 20% of free storage space available for optimal performance.

3. 

   Run the Disk Cleanup tool to scan and remove old temporary files. Open your desktop or Start menu and type "disk cleanup" to search for the utility. Select the Windows drive and wait for analysis. Check the boxes for each file you want to remove. You will see how much storage space you can get back when you delete them.
   • Check the Downloads and Documents folders to see if there are old files that you no longer need there.

4. 

   Uninstall old programs that you no longer use. In the process of using your computer, there may be many programs that you only use once and then forget their existence. These old programs can consume a lot of storage space on your hard drive, with some programs running in the background, consuming system resources. Regularly uninstalling old programs can keep your computer running smoothly.
   • Open Control Panel and select "Uninstall a program" or "Programs and Features". Browse the list of installed programs and remove programs you no longer use. Select the program and click "Uninstall" to uninstall it. If you are unsure what it is, do a search on the web.
   • The free "PC Decrapifier" program scans your computer for software people don't think are necessary. These unwanted programs are usually pre-installed on the computer, and are often referred to as "bloatware". You can download PC Decrapifier for free for home use at the site. The program requires no installation, so just run it after you download it and let it scan your computer. If found any bloatware can remove them immediately.

5. 

   Turn off programs that start with the operating system (startup). Many programs are set up to start with the Windows operating system. While this can make it quicker to open programs when needed, too many programs can significantly affect Windows boot time.
   • For Windows 10 and 8 - Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Click "More details" to expand it, then click the "Startup" tab. Select the items you want to remove from startup and click "Disable". If you are unsure of what program it is or if it is needed for a start-up, do a search on the web.
   • For Windows 7 and Vista - Press ⊞ Win+R and type "msconfig". Click the "Startup" tab. Uncheck the box next to each item that you want to turn off. If you do not know what the program is, you can search the internet. Just type the name of the "startup" into the search engine and the first results will tell you what program it is.

6. 

   Try replacing your favorite program with a different program. Many popular programs are not very optimized, so while running can cause your computer to run slowly. Some programs include Norton Antivirus, iTunes, and Adobe Reader. All of these programs come with free, lightweight alternatives that can significantly improve the speed of your computer.
   • Instead of using Norton as an anti-virus software, consider using Microsoft Defender is built into Windows. Avast and Bit-Defender are also two free and popular choices. You can refer to how to enable and use Windows Defender for yourself.
   • If you're using iTunes for media files, consider using a program like foobar2000 or MediaMonkey, which both support iOS device syncing.
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Part 5 of 6: Computer Optimization (Mac)

1. 

   Install the latest updates. Updates for Mac OS X and other software can keep your system stable and running smoothly. Updates will usually be installed automatically, but it's better to check from time to time if there are any important updates on the waiting list.
   • Open the Mac App Store and click the Updates tab at the top of the window. Review and install any available updates for the system and installed programs.

2. 

   Free up space on your hard drive. If you're running low on storage, your Mac's performance may be affected. Regularly deleting old programs and files can significantly improve your Mac's processing speed.
   • Uninstall old programs by dragging them from your Applications folder to the Trash.
   • Check your Downloads and Documents folders for old files that you can delete.
   • Programs like CleanMyMac3, Disk Inventory X, and DaisyDisk can find and remove lots of old, redundant files on your computer. You can free up a lot of storage space by using a file removal tool.
   • Use Monolingual to remove unused language files. You can download the program for free from. Do not remove the language you are using or English, as this may cause problems for the operating system.

3. 

   Remove redundant icons from the desktop. If the desktop contains too many redundant icons, the system may run slower than usual. Reducing the number of desktop icons and files can help improve performance.

4. 

   Turn off programs that start with the operating system (startup). Some programs are set up to start with the Mac operating system. While this can make it easier to load the program when needed, too many programs can keep your Mac from booting completely.
   • Click on the apple-shaped menu and choose "System Preferences".
   • Select "Users & Groups" and then select "Login Items".
   • Select the application you do not want to load on startup and click the "-" button. You may need to click on the lock pattern and enter the admin password first.

5. 

   Check the hard drive using Disk Utility. Sometimes, files and permissions can go wrong which causes problems for your Mac. Disk Utility can scan and fix errors like this.
   • Run Disk Utility from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
   • Select your hard drive in the left pane.
   • Click the "First Aid" tab and click "Verify Disk". The scan will start and it will take a while for the scan to complete.
   • Click the "Repair Disk" button if it scans for any errors.
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Part 6 of 6: Making Your Computer Running Smoothly

1. 

   Be extra careful when downloading programs on the Internet. The most common source of adware infection is software that is installed when you think you are installing something else. Every time you download a program on the Internet, you need to pay close attention to each installer's screen, especially if it is a free program.Make sure that you decline unnecessary invitations to install installations and double-check each check box.
   • Look for alternatives that are open source because they usually don't contain adware in the installer.
   • Avoid accessing download sites such as CNet or Tucows, as they will entice you to use their ad-supported download managers.

2. 

   Run a lightweight antivirus software. If you are using a Windows computer, you should have an anti-virus software running almost all the time. Normally, using Windows Defender is enough, but you can use Avast, Bit-Defender, Kaspersky, or other popular anti-virus software. Make sure you only have one antivirus enabled as they may conflict.
   • You can find out for yourself how to find and install anti-virus software.

3. 

   Regularly clean the computer. Too much dust can cause the computer to become hot inside. If the computer gets too hot, parts will automatically slow down to help lower the temperature. Keeping your computer clean and cool can help ensure that it is always running at peak performance. This should be given more attention if you have a pet or smoke indoors.
   • You can purchase a can of compressed air or use an air compressor to remove most of the dirt inside your computer.
   • You can refer to how to clean the dirt for your personal computer.

4. 

   Uninstall programs when finished. If you take care of installed programs, you can keep your computer free of redundant programs for a long time. Uninstall programs when they are no longer in use to free up a lot of storage space. You can even keep backups of the installer for quick future reinstallation without having to re-download the files. advertisement