If your computer has slowed to a crawl, you're not alone. It's one of the most common calls we get across Melbourne. The good news: most slowdowns have a clear cause and a straightforward fix.
1. Too Many Startup Programs
Every program that launches on startup steals memory before you've even opened a browser. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click the Startup tab, and disable anything you don't need immediately on boot — Spotify, Steam, Teams, Discord and similar apps are common offenders.
2. A Nearly Full Hard Drive
Windows needs around 15% of your drive free to run well. When it dips below that, performance tanks because the system can't create temporary files efficiently. Check your storage: Settings → System → Storage. Aim to keep 20GB+ free at all times.
3. You're Still Running a Hard Drive (Not an SSD)
This is the single biggest upgrade you can make. An old spinning hard drive can take 3–5 minutes to boot Windows. A modern SSD cuts that to under 15 seconds. If your computer is over 5 years old and feels sluggish, upgrading the drive is almost certainly the fix.
4. Malware Running in the Background
Viruses, adware and cryptominers all consume CPU and memory silently. If your computer is slow even on a fresh restart with nothing open, run a full Malwarebytes scan (free version works fine for this).
5. Overheating Causing Thermal Throttling
When a CPU gets too hot, it deliberately slows itself down to avoid damage — this is called thermal throttling. If your fans are loud or the bottom of your laptop burns your legs, dust buildup is likely choking the cooling system. A professional clean makes a dramatic difference.
6. Outdated or Corrupt Drivers
Graphics card drivers in particular can cause system-wide slowdowns. Open Device Manager and look for any yellow warning icons. Also check Windows Update — Microsoft regularly ships driver improvements through it.
7. Not Enough RAM
8GB of RAM is the practical minimum for Windows 11. If you regularly have more than 10 browser tabs, email and a document open, 16GB is worth considering. Check your RAM usage in Task Manager — if it's consistently above 80%, an upgrade will help.
8. Windows Needs a Fresh Install
After 3–5 years, Windows accumulates broken registry entries, leftover software fragments and corrupted system files that no amount of cleaning fully fixes. A clean Windows install takes about an hour and makes an old PC feel new again — we do this regularly for Melbourne clients.
When to Call a Technician
If you've tried the basics and your computer is still slow, give us a call on +61 499 468 971. We'll diagnose the exact cause and fix it at your home across Melbourne — from $30/15min, no fix no fee.
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