I have some quick questions for anyone. My home PC is a HP and is nearly 5 years old. It is running slow with Windows 7. Would upgrading it to Windows 8.1 make it any faster, or slow it down further? When I power on my computer, it seems to boot slower and slower. Even worse, when I go to open a web browser, it often takes 1-2 minutes after clicking for Chrome or Firefox to open.

Are there are any malware or other free/inexpensive software packages that speed up a PC? I have defragged and run a registry cleaner, but neither seem to have done much good.

I use AVG as my virus protection and have never had an issue.

Am I just facing forced obsolescence, or should I be able to get more life out of the pc? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

goombah,

I would have said to do a disc cleanup and defrag but you said you've already done that. The defrag usually speeds it up for me.

As for free malware, I recommend Malwarebytes. I've used it for years and it's free. You can update to the Premium version, which gives you real-time protection (it's $25 a year for 3-PCs). It used to be $20 for a lifetime subscription!

CNET

I still have Windows 7 and refuse to upgrade to Windows 8 (I've heard nothing but bad things about it). You could also try typing msconfig into the "Search Programs and Files" under the Run Dialog box (hit the Windows Start button and it'll be there on the bottom). This gives you the ability to determine which programs run when the computer boots up (you could have a lot that is slowing your system down if you're trying to open your Internet browser once the desktop is up).

I hope this helps!

Thank you Irishman12 and Goombah . I have the same problem

Thanks Irishman! I have also heard mostly negative things about Windows 8, but it appears that 8.1 is an improvement. I did the msconfig thing last night and that did seem to help a bit. But my guess is that there is malware, so I will try your recommendation.

Much appreciated!

Goombah, over the past few days, I had to stop using Firefox and switch to Chrome. I briefly tried Internet Explorer, but it was just frieze up like Firefox. I don't know if there is a new computer virus going around or what.

Download and run the "Spybot Search and Destroy" freeware. Viruses and spyware will slow your computer down even if it is brand new. I think if you download and run it, you'll find tons of foreign programs on your desk top that don't belong there.


Free (and proprietary) programs are available at Download.com.

All of the advice above is good. You do clean your PC periodically, don't you? My Inspiron is 4 years old and I run clean and virus software several times a week. It pretty much runs like a charm. I keep it free of all except essential software such as Chrome and Firefox, and MSOffice.

Someone above cited CNET as a source of free software. If you haven't, download cleaner software and give it a run.

Thanks everyone. I have downloaded and run Spybot & Malawarebytes. Both seem to have improved the performance a great deal. I had assumed that my antivirus was getting all of that, but it's good to know that I can get some more life out of this pc (and that I will not age significantly while my browswer opens ).

I've also had problems with Firefox on my personal computer. On my work computer I have Chrome but I don't do any downloading on that computer - just my personal - so that's why I assumed it was just my PC and not the browser.

I'd love to break down and buy a Mac but I'm going to run my PC into the ground first. Buying a Mac is more of a want than a need at this point.

I also gave up on Internet Explorer awhile ago. It gave me so many problems over the years. I prefer Chrome over Firefox, but need both at work depending on the application I being run.

Right On! [thumbs up]