Slow Computer Performance

[bearcub]

I know this is an Excel forum but I don't where else to turn. My computer is running rather slow, does anyone know of any free software that is virus free that will help speed up my computer performance. My excel files are taking forever to load and I don't have any programs open other than one instance of Excel.

Thank you for your help in advance,

Michael

 

[mole999]

Is it just excel that is slow, or the system in general ?

 

[bearcub]

The entire system is slow though I notice it more when I'm in Excel. It does take a couple of minutes for it to open entirely - maybe I have too many programs loaded? I was noticing that I have a lot of Microsoft programs loaded - a number of AQL ones. I remember when I brought in PowerPivot as an addin in I had to go to MSFT and download some sort of MS SQL application.

I did a check and it seems I have 4G of file history I could delete from my system (was running a file clean up program and one of these items came up through it wasn't checked). What does the file history do>

 

[Michael M]

Have you defragged lately ?
Also, have a look at CCleaner...free software for removing and cleaning your HDD.
I have no affiliation with the product, but it's the one I use

CCleaner - The world's most popular PC cleaner & optimization tool - Piriform


Have you updated any antivirus software lately ??

 

[igold]

Unfortunately your question generates more questions than answers with regards to what might be happening.

I agree with Michael M on defragging (except if you have an SSD) and on the use of CCleaner- a great program. Something else to check is that even though you may have only one program open, how many processes are running in the background. You should check the Task Manager and see if there is anything that is chewing up either memory or CPU usage. Check to see what processes are starting when you boot and minimize those to only what you absolutely must have running (AV for example).

 

[bearcub]

thank you both for the tips. I defrag weekly and I have updated my antivirus. I was trying to download CC cleaner a couple of days ago but my computer crashed. I got an error message their was a virus. Maybe I was downloading a bogus cc cleaner. anyway, I'll use your link. Thank you for the info.

Michael

 

[Michael M]

As iGold has mentioned check your Task manager.....but also try turning off the antivirus software and see how much improvement you get !!

 

[bearcub]

Great idea. I looked at the Task Master and only saw Excel and Chrome running. But, like you said, it might be running in the background.

 

[igold]

The only other obvious thing is to load up on more RAM if your machine has room for expansion...

 

[bearcub]

I thought of tht as well. I have 6G of RAM but maybe I need 8 GB. It's a dell computer and I don't think it can be reconfigured though I will contact them to find out.