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Is your computer crawling at a snail’s pace? A sluggish system can wreck your productivity and drive you up the wall. But don’t worry—there’s a fix! Whether it’s outdated software, too many background programs, or hidden issues slowing you down, identifying the cause is the first step to speeding things up. Ready to boost your computer’s performance? Check out our quick tips below and get back to smooth sailing!
Disclaimer
Our tips and recommendations are here to help you get the most out of your device, but a little caution goes a long way! Any updates, repairs, or tweaks you try are completely up to you—and at your own risk. We can’t take responsibility for any oops moments, like data loss or device issues, that might happen along the way. Play it safe: back up your data before diving in and don’t hesitate to call in a pro if you’re unsure. Your device deserves the best care.
Recommendations:
Free up storage
Use your Curtin OneDrive to store your university files and consider using a separate cloud account with a cloud service to store files for personal use. This will free up space on your device.
See some options for personal backups for Mac or Windows computers, iPhone or Android phones.
Tip: Still need space? Checkout the disk cleanup utility for Windows or Mac.
Close extra apps
Too many open programs overload your Random Access Memory (RAM) and slow down performance. Close anything you’re not actively using.
Startup programs
Disable unnecessary programs that launch automatically when your computer boots. Use Task Manager (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) to manage startup items.
Restart
Restarting your device clears temporary files and refreshes system processes, often improving performance. Make it a habit to restart regularly, especially if your device feels slow or unresponsive.
Update
Ensure your operating system, drivers, and software are up to date. But always check your device meets the requirements before updating to avoid compatibility issues. Not sure how to update your device, see the Australian Cyber Security Centres guidance here. For Windows computers you may also want to update your drivers, see here to get started.
Uninstall untrusted software
Pirated software often comes bundled with malware and doesn’t receive updates. Remove it and opt for legitimate programs for better performance and security.
Run a malware scan
Use antivirus software to scan for harmful programs that may be slowing down your device. Feel free to use your antivirus program if you already have one. Otherwise for Windows computers you can run a scan using the Windows Security App. For Mac you may want to use a reputable antivirus company like Malwarebytes to run a free scan.
Still slow?
As a general rule of thumb it is a good idea to upgrade your computer every five years. Some signs it might be time to get your device repaired, upgraded or replaced include:
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Constant overheating
- Slow boot times
- Rapid battery drain
- Unacceptable performance with modern software.
- No support for new operating systems and security updates.
If your device presents with these symptoms it may be time to seek expert advice from a technician at your local computer store.
Further information:
For more information on staying cyber secure, refer to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) guide and checklist. If think you’ve fallen for a scam and need assistance, visit the ACSC’s how to recover from scams website.
This article has been brought to you by Digital & Technology Solutions
#MakeCurtinCyberSafe
