does aol software slow down a computer?

Answer 1

All software is going to slow down your computer to a degree, because it uses resources to run the applications.

That being said, AOL is known to be a resource hog, and I would only use their connection (not their software) if I had to.

Answer 2

Most will tell you yes, but they are telling you yes from past experience. That past experience may have been on a Pentium II or Pentium III computer running Windows 98 or Windows ME. AOL used to cripple those systems which were barely fast enough without anything installed. So that's why it's built up a bad rep over the years.

However, if you were to install AOL on a new computer today, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt a thing in terms of speed. I'm speculating, of course, since I no longer use it! I stopped using AOL back in 1999 for good reasons - my city was one of the first to get RoadRunner. Now of course, the two have merged. Just so you know, you can use RoadRunner and ditch AOL. You don't have to have both unless you really, really want to hang onto that AOL email account. If that's the case, try hard to get an invite to Google's Gmail. You will be glad you switched!

Answer 3

The best way is to download Ccleaner here http://bitly.com/UrALrK

Or you can go on Windows operating system locate the command prompt and go there to do the following:
Create a Recovery file of system and date it today.

Then begin by;
delete the 'Temp' folders..they have hidden subfolders so you need to set the attributes in order to bypass this. For each subfolder delete all cookies and rubbish left behnd after install-uninstalled programs. Do a 'dir' command to check your progress. Make sure the 'Temp' file is empty.

goto c:\windows\prefetch and delete everything in there..no exceptions

goto c:\windows folder and delete all the '$' files that have been installed by updates. They can all be succesfully deleted and just take up disk space.

Locate the Internet Temporary Files..Check to see how high the saving level is..some have it set at 30 days..but that stores faaaar tooo much data..though it slows down the system overal. Keep this to a minimum..suggest 2 or 5 at most.

Delete all 'cookies' all those you don't need.

Locate the windows directory and go through the folders you know and those you don't need. Check this once a week at least. Some programs will install under XP as NT and older systems where there is no check of systems weight.

Check to see that system files have not changed since last booting. Things like .ini files or .bat are important items.


Check for 'Hidden Directories' all over the disk...do this at the command prompt:

dir *.* /ah wil show these hidden directories

Check the 'dir' command for all parameters

Answer 4

It's been ages since I used AOL, but it definitely gave me trouble when I did use it. One person I knew on line called AOL "the most popular virus on the internet".

I'd go with the advice one of the other answerers gave and stop using their software... use Firefox. Very good browser !

Answer 5

Having programs that are not being used operating in the background, not having enough RAM, not frequently cleaning the clutter in your PC, spyware, or to many fragmented files , as well as not deleting Internet explorer temporary files and cookies can all contribute to a slow computer.

Do a Disk Cleanup, Run the Disk Defragmenter, Also run Spybot to look for spyware and maybe your pc will improve.

Answer 6

To a crawl.
If thats all I had I would rather use 2 cans and a string.
Don

Answer 7

yes. most people i know online refer to them as GayOL. because they are such a lousy service. Dont use their bundled software, use firefox. Disable their startup applications too.

Answer 8

The virus protector will. Why the hell would you need one for dial-up anyway?

Answer 9

yes and it is criminal!