Why does Windows get slow after prolonged use?

Question

I use Windows XP. After a few months of installation, its performance
decreases and it gets slower. What's the reason behind it. I regularly defragment the disks so they are not a problem. Also I monitor running applications and processes but dont find anything suspicious. Its not even the problem of installed program files.

Answer 1

I haven't noticed any slowdowns, except on some sites that are very huge, my daughter's mypage, for example.

Answer 2

registry entries, msconfig, temp folder, or the prefetch.

registry entries are very hard to clean up. usually programs create registry entries as you use them, and if you uninstall the program, it wont uninstall all of the registry entries. over time they add up and your computer slows down due to having to look through a long lost of entries (think of a library. if your looking for a book in a library that has 20 books, it will take less time than a library with 200 books.)

msconfig is the microsoft configuration program which selects what runs when your computer starts up. go to start, click on run, and type in 'msconfig' (without quotes). go to the startup tab and uncheck everything you are 100% sure you dont need at startup. restart your comp.

temp folder is for little files that are supposed to be temporary. just go to your start menu, click on run, and type in 'temp' without the quotes. delete everything in that folder. dont worry, you cant mess your computer up but make sure to not have anything open when you do it.

prefetch is used to load small segments of your commonly used programs. when windows starts up, it will load everything in this folder. say you use winamp or firefox a whole lot, windows will load half of the program and keep it in the background so when you do click and run winamp/firefox, it will load faster. the problem with this is that it will sometimes load half the programs on your computer which is a hell lotta stuff. just go to start > run > type in 'prefetch' and delete everything in that folder and restart. make sure nothing is running when you do this, and nothing will mess up.

Answer 3

start
my computer
right click on LOCAL disc C:
properties
second tab at the top TOOLS
error check now
make sure both boxes are checked - START
(may get message to reboot your computer to accomplish this)
I do this once a month!

second - Get Ad-awareSE - a freeware - to clean your system
from spy junk that monitors your system

best of luck

Answer 4

thats how windows is..
u should setup ur windows every 3 to 6 months

because windows stores extra files when u install a program, and when u uninstall it, these files remains in windows..
try the "disk cleanup" till u get a new copy of windows
..my computer C > RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > DISK CLEANUP

there's nothing wrong with your pc.. THANKS BILL GATES!

Answer 5

windows indexs everything, and as you load files of any kind, it takes time to look through them, you can turn indexing off if you like. other running programs take lots of power as well, maybe these program are needed, but many aren't needed to start when windows does.

Answer 6

sounds like spyware go to c-net and get ad-aware by lavasoft and spybot they are free i also use webroot and macaffe and run all of them (not at the same time) because all of them only pick up certain things. as soon as my computer slows down i know to run them

Answer 7

well
there r some reasons;
junk files
installation & uninstallation
registry problems
broken shortcuts
system caches,internet caches
out of date drivers
so look at all that & the list goes on ,I ve jsut mention some of them which I remmeber .
good luck !!!

Answer 8

it must be a problem with your computer,,i have had no problems,with windows xp

Answer 9

spyware;.. unwanted programs.. when you delete something it is never really deleted and ita ll adds up

Answer 10

Get a MAC !