Computer was soooo slooow

[Kaleva]

Pages would freeze. Couldn't close pages. Couldn't load pages. Facebook especially was almost unusable. Brought back memories of dial-up.

When even DU got bad, I decided to try and do something about it.

Went to Cnet and looked at free popular downloads that may help my situation.

After reading reviews by the editors and users, I installed IObit Advanced Systemcare 11, Smart Defrag 5, Driver booster 5, and IObit Malware Fighter and ran those. Performance improved greatly but there was still a noticeable lag. I down loaded IObit Uninstaller and uninstalled Chrome and Firefox.

Now the laptop flies! It's almost like brand new.

[Egnever]

1. I would highly recommend people do not do this.

glad it worked out for you but these types of tools often do far more harm than good.

[earthshine]

2. I will second Egnever's comment.

You should do a clean install of Windows if you are having these kinds of software errors.

I simply use MS-Defender, which comes with Windows.

Every few months, sometimes longer, I do a clean install.

[Kaleva]

4. How does one do a clean install?

[earthshine]

9. Typically, one uses the installation disks that came with windows.

What version of Windows is this?

There are ways to get the image from the net.

It's very easy if this is Win 10.

[Kaleva]

11. Win 10 which was downloaded from the interent

[earthshine]

12. When the time is right, then download again.

You should wait for the next significant failure.

[Kaleva]

13. Ok. Thanks!

[Egnever]

15. Win 10 makes it very easy to do a reinstall

or refresh.

in the search box on the task bar type update then in the list that pops up click on update settings. in the window that pops up look for recovery on the left hand side and click on it. Then click get started under reset this pc.

You can chose to either keep your files which will keep all your data but clean all software installed out or fresh start which will wipe everything with a clean install. For most issues keeping you files is fine. You will need to reinstall any software that does not come with windows but you will retain all docs and pictures etc..


The process can take time though so be prepared to wait.

[Kaleva]

17. Thanks! I'll do that next week.

[5X]

3. and third. just wait, it will get slow shortly. n/t

[liberalmuse]

5. Mac or PC?

If it's a Mac, remove all of the stuff you just put on and get the free version of malwarebytes.

[Kaleva]

6. PC

And I had Malwarebytes and ran it several times but it found nothing and nothing changed as far as performance went.

[liberalmuse]

7. Oh sorry. Never mind then.

Best of luck. I hope you can get it up and running.

[Kaleva]

8. It's running great now after I did what I said in the OP

[earthshine]

10. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Wait until it breaks again.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

14. Here is the link to DL Win10.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Before starting the install you'll need your key. This explains how to find it:
https://www.howtogeek.com/206329/how-to-find-your-lost-windows-or-office-product-keys/

Best of luck.

[Egnever]

16. Yes and no

win 10 installs actually validate on hardware config. You should not need your key for a reinstall assuming you have the right install disk for your version of windows. Unless you upgraded to windows 10 in that case it can be a bit more tricky.

Also unless the install is corrupt you can reset win 10 without a disk by going into recovery and choosing rest this pc. The will do an in place reinstall with no disk necessary. If it fails and some times it does then a disk becomes necessary but most of the time in my experience it works just fine.