My Computer Is Running Slowly

Owned by CS (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Jun 22, 2020
2 min read

Problem

My computer takes a long time to start up or runs very slowly in general

Solution

With so many different possible causes of slowness, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact cause in a help article, but here are a few things you can try if you want to improve your PC’s performance.

Method 1

Restart your PC. This may seem intuitive, but many users overlook what good a restart can do. Random Access Memory (RAM) is completely purged on shutdown. This instantly gives your PC the ability to re-assign that memory to newer processes, instead of ones that may have been left running in the background.

Method 2

Limit your program usage. Make sure not to run too many applications at once. Every open process or dialogue takes a certain amount out of what your computer can do simultaneously. Close things that have been left open completely via the Task Manager.

Method 3

Keep your PC hardware clean. Clearing up any collected dust, especially around the fans will keep your PC cooler, and running faster. If the air intake is blocked, the CPU will overheat and cause extreme slowness and very likely damage components. Use compressed air cans to blow dust away from these vents, and clean the rest of the computer with alcohol/antibacterial wipes, or a dry cloth. Avoid spraying anything directly onto the keyboard, instead, use the dry cloth to timidly apply any agents.

Method 4

Reach out to someone at helpdesk@hlw.com and ask them to check your system settings for best performance. Some of these functions do require Administrator privileges, while others don’t. Here are a couple things you can do on your own:

  1. Disable Background Apps

    1. Open the Start Menu and type “Privacy Settings” to search and click the first result. On the sidebar of the newly opened window, scroll down near the bottom and select “Background Apps”.

    2. Select the first radio button at the top to disable all background apps at once.

  2. Keep your applications up to date

    1. Use the AutoDesk Desktop App to apply updates to Revit and Revit plugins

    2. Use Adobe Creative Cloud to update your Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat DC, or other Adobe software

      1. some users do not have Adobe Creative Cloud

    3. Run Windows Updates occasionally to make sure everything is recent.

  3. Clear up your personal files

    1. Using less hard drive space will always allow the PC to run faster. Whenever a process has to search for a file, it’s easier and faster to do it on a disk with less contents, so many process speeds are improved.

    2. Save important files to OneDrive. This is cloud storage that can be accessed anywhere and on any device by signing into the app with your work email and login password.

 

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