By: Mitch | Last updated November 14, 2021 
Whether you use a computer merely to play games or watch YouTube videos, or maybe you use it to create a presentation for your next meeting or working on a project from your client, one thing for sure, a computer has become an essential part of our daily life.
Some even say that we depend too much on a computer that it's hard to imagine a life without it. While this is a sentiment shared by lots of people, in reality, we often neglect the health of our computer despite knowing how important it is for us.
We keep on using it until we finally notice a dip in the performance or until something has finally gone wrong. That's why in this article, we'll talk about several signs of a computer with declining performance, what you can do to keep your system running fast, and the tools that you can use in order to achieve all that.
- Lagging or unresponsive system
You're in the middle of using a program, like an image editing software for example, and then suddenly the program stops working. No matter which buttons that you try to click, nothing changes. You try opening a new window but it suddenly takes a while for it to open up. You try to move the window around and all you get is a stuttering window.
If those things have ever happened to you, then you have a lagging and unresponsive system on your hands. Using the task manager to close the troubled program or refreshing the system might help. But if it keeps on happening after that, then it's a sign that there's something wrong with your computer.
- Delayed input register
Delayed input register means any kind of input that you make, such as typing on your keyboard or using the mouse, will register in a delayed fashion. You type a word, and it takes a couple of seconds for the word to appear on screen. You move the mouse, but it takes a while for the pointer to move.
A Lagging and unresponsive system will usually result in a delayed input register as well. On the other hand, delayed input register doesn't always result in an unresponsive system. But you should still be able to trace the root of the problem for both issues in the same place.
- Forced-closed programs
There are also moments when you use a program and it suddenly crashes and closes on you. You'd try to open it up and use it again only for the same thing to happen again in a couple of minutes. This issue usually affects resource-heavy programs like image or video editing software.
This type of error could be extremely problematic because it could potentially damage the files that you are currently working on. Not only that it could result in a corrupted file, but the save files for that particular project could be affected as well.
- It took longer than usual to open up software and boot up the system
Another related issue that may appear at the same time as the lagging and unresponsive system is a significant increase in the time it takes to open up a program and boot up the system. Things that usually only took a couple of seconds to open up now suddenly took minutes to start.
And even when it finally starts, you might experience delayed input register or lagging as well. Though it won't damage any of your projects and save files, it would still significantly hinder your work flow.
- Persistent system errors pop up
This type of error is the most dangerous one here. A system error means anything that caused your system to behave strangely has apparently damaged some crucial components on your system. If you ignore it, then there's a possibility that you will lose your entire system.
That's why this error takes priority whenever you try to fix any issues on your computer. Because if you let this one keep happening over and over again, then you might be forced to reinstall the Windows OS.
- Removing virus, spyware, adware, and all other kinds of malware
If the source of your problems turns out to be malware attacks, then you should work on removing it first before you try any other kinds of repair or optimization. Disconnect your computer from the internet and start working on inspecting the kinds of malware or virus behind the attacks and remove them.
Because if you don't properly clean your system from viruses and malware, then they would keep wreaking havoc within your system and any kind of repair that you do on other parts of your computer would simply be a waste of time.
- Repairing any system errors and broken registries
After you make sure that your computer is free from virus and malware, the next thing you should look into is the system files and registry. Corrupted system files, DLLs and broken registries could be responsible for problems like lagging or unresponsive systems.
But just like with virus and malware, you need dedicated tools in order to perform this type of repair. The name of the tool is Windows system repair and optimization tool. Make sure to perform a regular scan in order to catch any error before it spreads out.
- Uninstalling unused programs
Do you remember that software that you installed last year because you think it would be useful to you? Turns out you haven't used it at all for a long time now. It just sits there in your storage, taking up your precious disk space.
This kind of scenario happens a lot to every user. Unfortunately, the more such unused programs accumulate, the slower your computer will be. So removing those programs will improve the overall performance of your computer and free some storage space.
- Optimizing startup apps
One of the things that usually cause a significantly lower initial boot up time is piled up start up apps. As the name suggests, start up apps are applications or software that start at the same time as your computer. That means once you boot up your computer, those apps will also start.
There are benefits to putting certain software, such as antivirus, as a start up app. But if there's too much of it, it will put an unnecessary burden to your system. Optimizing it will not only significantly improve your boot up time, but also the overall performance of your system.
Most of the issues that you'd encounter in your computer will have something to do with the outdated drivers or operating system. Windows will regularly remind its users whenever a new update is available. This update will include anything from regular bug fixes to critical security patches. So make sure you always install those updates.
The drivers that connect the hardware in your computer to the operating system also need to be updated regularly. But unlike the OS updates, finding and updating drivers could be quite tricky to do by yourself. It is advisable if you use a dedicated driver updater tool for this task.
- A regularly updated antivirus
For your virus and malware problems, the obvious solution is using a proper antivirus from a reputable company. You can find lots of recommendations online for which antivirus brands that you think might be the most suitable one for you.
But other than the brands, the most important thing is keeping your antivirus up to date. A reputable security company would roll out regular updates to their antivirus products so that it could better protect your system. Make sure to always install those updates.
- Driver updater
As mentioned above, it is better to use a dedicated Windows driver updater tool rather than trying to update your driver by yourself. Because if you try to do it yourself, you have to manually look at the version and the model of your hardware, visit its official manufacturer website, and download the correct driver update that suits your system.
If you make any mistake during any of those steps, then the risk will be your OS unable to identify your hardware. There are lots of free driver updater tools out there, but we recommend a premium tool like Driverfix because of its superior features and support.
- Windows repair and optimization tool
For problems such as system error, broken registries, freeing up disk space, and even optimizing start up apps, you can do it all at once with the right Windows Repair and Optimization tool. And just like with the Driver updater tool, we also recommend premium options like Restoro for this one.
Restoro was designed to be a one-click solution for all of your Windows system issues. You can easily identify the source of the problems, repair it properly, and even optimize your system with ease. It is advisable for every user to use Restoro regularly so that you could keep your system error-free and always run at its peak performance.
Every user may have a different configuration for their computer based on their needs and preferences. But a decline in performance for every computer usually presents similar signs and symptoms. By being aware of those signs, and following the proper tool and procedure to fix and optimize it, you would have a long-lasting and fast computer.
