We’ve all been there, you’ve got a million tabs open, a deadline looming, and your computer decides now is the perfect time to move at the speed of dial-up. 😩 If your device is dragging its feet, don’t panic (and don’t throw it out the window just yet). Here are five simple things you can do right now to bring it back to life.
1. Restart It (Yes, Really)
It sounds too simple, but when in doubt, reboot! Restarting clears temporary files and shuts down processes that are hogging memory. It’s the digital equivalent of a deep breath and a fresh start.
2. Tidy Up Your Startup Programs
Your computer might be trying to launch a bunch of background apps every time it powers on. (Looking at you, 12-chat-apps-you-don’t-use-anymore.)
On Windows, open Task Manager > Startup. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items. Disable the ones you don’t need booting up automatically.
3. Clear Out the Digital Clutter
Old files, unused programs, downloads you forgot about — they’re all taking up space.
Do a quick audit:
- Uninstall software you never use
- Empty the Recycle Bin (or Trash)
- Delete duplicate files or transfer photos to cloud storage
Bonus: It’s oddly satisfying.
4. Update Your Software (We Know, But Hear Us Out)
Those pop-ups about updates? They’re not just nagging you for fun. Updates fix bugs, plug security holes, and often improve performance.
Update your operating system, browsers, and any major apps. Your computer will thank you.
5. Consider an SSD Upgrade
If your computer is still running on a traditional hard drive, swapping it for a solid-state drive (SSD) can be like giving it a triple espresso shot. It's one of the best speed boosts out there. (We can help with that, by the way!)
Still Slow? We Can Help.
If you’ve tried everything short of yelling at it (or maybe you did that too), we’re here for you. At Rivercity Tech, we do everything from tune-ups to full system upgrades, with a smile. And yes, we’ll explain things in plain English.
