Top 3 Reasons PCs Get Slow (and 10-Minute Fixes)

Nothing’s more frustrating than a slow PC. The good news? Most slowness comes from a few common culprits you can spot quickly.

1) Too many startup apps (the “always-on” culprits)

• Symptom: Long boot times, fan noise, slow browser.

• Try this:

  • Windows: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Startup apps → disable anything you don’t use daily.

  • Clear your browser extensions; keep only the essentials.

2) Old hard drive vs SSD (the #1 speed upgrade)

• Symptom: Constant clicking/whirring, apps take forever to open.

• Why it matters: Traditional hard drives are 10–15× slower than SSDs.

• Try this: If your PC is 5–8 years old and still on an HDD, an SSD upgrade is the fastest, most cost-effective fix. (We can clone your data so nothing is lost.)

3) Overheating & dust (tiny fans, big problems)

• Symptom: Computer gets hot, fans roar, random shutdowns.

• Try this:

  • Power down, unplug, and gently vacuum vents/filters.

  • Ensure the tower/laptop has airflow; avoid soft surfaces like beds/sofas.

Bonus quick wins

• Update Windows/macOS and drivers.

• Uninstall software you don’t use.

• Run a reputable malware scan if pop-ups appear.

When to call a pro

• Startup still over 90 seconds, apps still hanging, or random restarts.

• You want an SSD + clean Windows reinstall with your files preserved.

Consultation is £0. Book a free check and we’ll tell you exactly what will help most.