Everyone understands the frustration of a slow computer, the endlessly rotating cursor icon or glacial progress bar right when you need to access something important.
It's a good thing then that most computers aren't static devices, and can be upgraded, reset and refined to eek out more performance.
Have a look at our three top tips below to breathe some more life into an older PC.
Start cleaning
One of the easiest ways to speed up a computer is by removing the clutter that often builds up over time. Commonly, this is any manner of software, games, trial applications that were used once and then forgotten.
A good place to start is the Programs and Features section of the Control Panel, where you can sort what's installed by date and name to find things you don't use.
Remember: Check before you uninstall anything that looks important.
Refreshing the operating system
If you've tried clearing out the computer of unnecessary applications, and still haven't noticed any improvement, refreshing the operating system (OS) is a good idea.
This involves tracking down the disk that the OS came on and following the instructions to restore the computer to factory settings. It's a more drastic step, but one that is quite easy when the disk instructions are followed. It's important to note that moving to a new OS can also make your computer faster.
Remember: Back up all important content onto an external drive to avoid data loss.
Swap out old hardware
This last step is one that can make the biggest difference, and it involves getting into the internals of a computer - whether it's a laptop or a desktop - and actually upgrading parts.
Desktop users will usually have more choice in what they can upgrade, given the ease of accessing the internals, but certain laptop models can also be improved.
Parts include the hard drive, which can be swapped for a larger version with more space for files, and RAM, which is like short-term memory for a computer. Upgrading this component means you'll notice the PC is faster at loading files on a regular basis.
If you need any help, or want to purchase parts to upgrade your PC, speak to the friendly team at PB Tech today. We've got a range of hardware and software for many makes and models.