Why has my computer slowed down over the years?

I am a casual user. I use my computer for email, websurfing and I have a 3D design package on it. The computer is 4yrs old. What is happening to make my computer slow down over time? It is a Compaq desk top with cable internet. When I first got the computer it was fast. I have MacFee premium and use adaware software, no threats detected. Please answer this as if I am ignorant of how computers work, becasue I am. Thank-you.|||It could be that there are programs on your computer that are slowing it down. Use the control panel feature to check out which software is installed on your computer. Remove anything that you haven't used in a long time and/or no longer need. That might make things faster.|||um porn addict much?|||double click on My Computer icon%26gt;Control Panel%26gt;System %26gt;Performance (look at the system resources....it'll show you what percentage of your PC memory is left...the smaller the percentage the slower the machine will get...I would never let mine get below 25% free)





Also, you need to run the defragmentation program ever so often to help the PC 'organize' files together instead of having fragments of info here, there and everywhere on the hard disc that forces the PC to hunt all over to bring up a file...this is especially true the more you create, modify, delete and download data.





Start%26gt;Programs%26gt;Accessories%26gt;System Tools%26gt; Disc Defragmention|||Clean out the cookies folder, temp internet file folder. Also, the web pages we see today are alot more complex than four years ago, so your machine takes longer to load the pages. Upgrade your RAM. That'll help a little bit.|||If you mean to say that you have not formatted your hard drives even once in the last 4 years, than it is bound to be slow!!! Whatever you may do, a computer will get slower if it goes on running unformatted for more than a year. Still, some basic tips to speed up your computer may be found here:


http://pctonic.blogspot.com/2007/02/spee鈥?/a>|||Over time your computer (blame Windows!!) adds more and more files and updates. Most of these get stored away in old temporary folders that your computer forgets about. That is why your computer is slowing down. Think of it as never changing the oil in your car. The engine gets build-up and crap in it and your performance begins to degrade. With a computer it's sometimes necessary to to backup all of your programs and files onto an external hard drive and reinstall Windows. This can take many hours to do and is a big pain. A computer repair shop could do it for you if you want to go that route.





In the meantime, here some things that you could do without having to do a clean reinstallation.





To speed up your computer try this:





1. Start%26gt; Run%26gt; type: msconfig


2. Click "Startup"


3. Disable any program that absolutely DOES NOT have to startup when you first turn on your computer. Quicktime and RealPlayer are the number one culprits. They do not need to be running when you start your computer. You can start them when you need them. Make sure that you only disable the programs/apps that you are sure of. System32 files need to be running.





4. Download Ad-Aware SE (freeware) and use it to remove spyware. Spyware slows your computer waaaaaay down.





5. Use your anti-virus software to ensure your computer is clean. www.avast.com has an awesome FREE antivirus programs that kicks a** and uses far less resources than MacAfee and WAY less than Norton. PCWorld says it's just as good as the pay antivirus services.





6. Rearrange your hard disk for slightly better performance.





Here's how:





I. Start%26gt; Control Panel%26gt; Upper left corner make sure you are looking at the Category View (not Classic View)





II. Click "Performance and Maintenance"





III. Click "Free up space on your hard disk" and follow the instruction to remove old junk files.





IV. Click "Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs runs faster" It will take 30min-1hr+ to finish this step. The Windows program will rearrange your computers files in a better configuration and remove spaces and gaps.





V. Add more RAM (memory). This is one of the best things that you can do for your computer to speed it up!!





I hope this helps. Good luck!! You better give me some points for this. It took me a while to type it!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHA!!|||I understand your problem - I have had the same troubles in the past. The problem is that most Windows OS have a life span. Experts say that in about 9 months, a fresh install is usually necessary.





Over time, you error files are accumulated that slow down your programs and can even cause crashes. The more you use your computer, the more error files are created. The most frustrating thing is that these error files are created from simple day-to-day computer usage.





Now I use a small software product called PC Speedscan.


http://www.pcspeedscan.com





It's a small and inexpensive utility I use it to clean up my PC once every two weeks or so. It removes these accumulating error files, fixes all registry errors and does a lot of other cleaning up activity. I now have a PC running for over 12 months and I haven't seen any deteriation in its performance. However, I would suggest using the program regularly - at least once a month. Do try out PC Speedscan and let me know your feedback.|||1.You have to clean up temporary internet files that are accumulated.


2.Keep minimum programs that auomatically starts.


Try these with the help of a well versed technician noly.|||....as most things do with age.....|||Everything gets slower over the years you just have to buy a new computer|||Remove any programs you no longer use, then do a disk cleanup and defrag the computer.