Why do all Window systems slow down over time?

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February 08, 2013

CNET Community

Dear CNET members,

Happy Friday! I hope this newsletter finds you in good health, as there are a lot of sick folks around, myself included, so please take care! This week's topic comes from member Robert, who wants to know why all Windows systems slow down over time. Well, Robert, we humans don't stay young forever and as time passes, we eventually start to slow down both physically and mentally (maybe not Robert, but I know I have.) My wife always threatens that she is going to trade me in one day. ;)

As far as the reasons why Windows computers slow over time, there can be many factors, ranging from hardware to software-related issues. And I really don't think I can summarize it better than a few of your fellow members' answers; they've done an incredible job of listing the various culprits. So, please give our feature member answers below a read. And if you have any additional explanations or theories that haven't already been accounted for in the discussion thread, let's hear them. Thanks, everyone, for your invaluable contributions. Have a great weekend!

Lee Koo
Community manager

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Q:	Why do all Window systems slow down over time?
Lee, I learn quite a bit from your members and discussions. I do have a few questions for you about Windows. It appears to me that any version of Windows runs fast when it is new, but slows down dramatically over time. Why is that? Is it the case that every Windows update gets installed each time you turn on your computer? Or other reasons? I am very careful to not have programs like Adobe reader always in memory. Also does this problem exist in other computers not running Windows, or issue I experience exclusive to Windows systems? Any explanation as why this happens would be grateful. And if there is method to prevent the slow downs over time, it would be a bonus to learn about! Thank you.
	-- Submitted by: Robert G.

A:	Featured answers of the week
•	"Computer gets slower with Time "
	-- Submitted by: waytron

•	"Computers are a bit like a Highway"
	-- Submitted by: High Desert Charlie

•	"Whole Lots of Things "
	-- Submitted by: Flatworm

•	"Why Windows computers slow down"
	-- Submitted by: Droid

•	"The biggest thing is programs installed, but..."
	-- Submitted by: wpgwpg
	Click here to read all member contributions
	Thanks to all who contributed! Click here to see all previous Community newsletters

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What is the best and most secure cloud data storing and sharing provider? My mom has been placed in a nursing home and will be under hospice care. We find that all siblings at one time or another need to access her personal data. We would like it in the cloud so info/documents can be placed here. Too often the person with the specific info needed at a given moment isn't available. What is the most dependable and secure site? We are talking about Social Security number, financial info, health insurance data, bills paid, etc. Or is it better to keep info transmitted by e-mail and each of us set up a folder on our respective e-mail accounts?

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When my Windows system starts to slow down significantly, the first thing I do is:

· Scan my system for viruses, spyware, and malware
· See which programs are running in the background
· Delete unused programs
· Scan my system for errors
· Clean my desktop
· Defrag the hard drive
· Do diagnostics on hardware components to see if any are failing
· Check space used for Page filing
· Others (Please tell us what it is?)
· I don't use Windows

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