What to Do When Your Computer Is Running Slow

What to Do When Your Computer Is Running Slow

Notes
If you notice your computer running slower than usual, there are several quick steps you can take before contacting the Service Desk. These actions resolve the majority of performance‑related issues and help keep your device running efficiently.

1. Always begin by restarting your computer

A restart clears temporary system files, resets stuck background processes, and frees memory that may have been consumed by applications running for extended periods. Many performance issues are resolved immediately after a reboot, making this the most effective first step.

If performance is normal after restarting, the slowdown was most likely due to usage habits or temporary resource overload.

2. Review and adjust common usage behaviors

To prevent future slow‑downs, consider the following best practices:
• Keep browser tabs to fewer than 10 whenever possible. Modern websites are resource‑intensive, and excessive tabs can significantly impact performance.
• Close applications you are not actively using. Many programs continue running in the background and consume CPU and memory.
• Restart your computer regularly - ideally several times a week.

3. Check available storage space

Systems with nearly full drives often perform poorly. Ensure that at least 15–20% of your device’s storage remains free. Remove unnecessary files, and clear old downloads.

4. Ensure system and software updates are installed

Updates contain performance improvements and fixes for known issues. Allow your device to install updates when prompted, and avoid postponing restarts needed to complete installation.

If you have tried the steps above and your computer is still slow, please submit a ticket to the Service Desk for further assistance. Include details about when the issue started and any recent changes to your system to help us diagnose the problem efficiently.

    • Related Articles

    • Ransomware Policy

      1.0 Purpose The purpose of the Ransomware Policy (the "Policy") is to establish the goals and vision for the ransomware response process in compliance with SOC 2 and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ("PIPEDA"). This ...

    • [10/23/2024] Scheduled Maintenance - FortiClient

      English version Maintenance FortiClient Résumé : Où: Tous les postes de travail Windows (ordinateurs portables et de bureau) Quoi: FortiClient VPN Quand: Mardi 29 octobre 2024, entre 18h00 et 18h30. Détails : L'équipe informatique déploiera une mise ...

    • [07/12/2024] OneDrive File Sharing

      WHO WHO’S IMPACTED BY THE CHANGE? All Encore and Zii employees. WHAT WHAT’S CHANGING? Update regarding OneDrive file sharing for collaboration WHY WHY WAS THIS CHANGE REQUIRED? To ensure continuity and accessibility of shared documents WHEN WHEN WILL ...

    • Information Security Policy

      1.0 Introduction Voyages Encore Travel Inc. (“Encore”) is committed to safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all physical and electronic information assets of the organization to ensure that regulatory, operational and ...

    • Change Management Policy

      1.0 Purpose Effective change management within Voyages Encore Travel Inc.'s ("Encore") assets, environments and resources is important to ensuring that we consistently deliver quality software and services while we also strive to meet various ...