Many of us find slow computers incredibly frustrating, but it’s likely that our own bad computer habits are contributing to the problem. There are many habits computer users pick up, and these often have a detrimental effect on the productivity of our computers or laptops. It may seem like nothing to you, but by changing these habits and creating new ones, you could notice dramatic changes to the speed and efficiency of your computer. Below,
Syntax IT support London have listed 5 of the most common computer habits that can have the largest impact on computer speed.
Having too many tabs open
If, when you are browsing online, you are finding that your internet always seems
very slow when loading pages, then it could be due to the number of tabs you have open. The computer has a limited amount of resources, and if you have multiple tabs or windows open on your screen, it has to allocate these resources to all the tabs you have running. If you were to limit the number of tabs or windows you have open, you might start to see your machine’s speed increase sharply.
Having too many applications open
Similar to how having too many tabs open will slow down your computer’s speed, having too many applications open will also slow down your computer. If you do not close your applications properly, they will still be running in the background – even though you might not be using every single application, they are still whirring around using your computer’s power and resources. Not only will this reduce the speed of your computer or laptop, but in particular to laptops, having applications open when not in use will also be draining your battery.
Downloading unnecessary software
So many of us download software when we think we need it – more often than not, it ends up consigned to an opened folder after a single use. If you have too much software downloaded onto your computer or laptop, then this is another reason it is likely to be slow and inefficient. Often, this unnecessary software is downloaded as a result of automatic software updates. These updates can occasionally download additional internet extensions or application add-ons, so be sure to know what you are downloading before you click go!
Not updating your software regularly
While some updates can cause unwanted downloads, if you keep up with updates and
manually install instead of automatically, you can determine which add-ons you may or may not want to keep. If you do not stay up to date with your updates, this can slow your computer down as it is running on old, less advanced programming. Updates can make applications run smoother and, as a result, cause your computer to run quicker. It is also very important to remember that you should, if asked, restart your computer. Some applications require a start up with the computer to function fully. Therefore, when it asks, try getting into the habit of updating your software, and, whilst you are at it, also getting into the habit of restarting your computer when prompted.
Lack of security
One of the most important things to do when using a computer is making sure that you have some form of antivirus or antimalware software. If you are browsing the internet without one, it exposes you to attacks from websites and viruses. If a virus were to attach itself to your computer, you would see the speed dramatically decrease. Therefore, it is vital that you install and are sure your antivirus is always up to date.