Computer is slow - Computers & Internet

This issue can be caused by:

1. Hard disk drive is short on available disk space.
2. Several software programs have been installed/uninstalled leaving behind bad files and/or confusing the software.
3. Data Corruption.
4. Computer is overheating.
5. Bad Hardware.
6. Virus

Not enough hard disk drive space
If your hard drive is almost full, ensure that there is at least 500MB of hard disk drive space free. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files.
Hard drive corrupted or fragmented
Run Scandisk or something equivalent to help ensure that there is nothing physically wrong with the computer hard disk drive.
Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.

Background programs

Remove or disable any programs that automatically start each time the computer boots.

Virus

Be sure that your computer is not virus or spyware infected
A virus or spyware usually affects the normal performance in your system.
Hardware conflicts

Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts, but if conflicts are present, resolve them.

Computer or processor is overheating

Make sure your computer and processor is not overheating, excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer performance some processors will even lower the speed of the processor automatically to help compensate for the heat related issues.

Specific operating system basic troubleshooting

Try running through the basic troubleshooting steps for your operating system.
Erase computer and start over
Finally, if none of the above solutions resolve your issues, it is recommended that you either reinstall Windows and/or erase everything and then start over.
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If after that your problem continues then you have a more serious hardware related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or bad CPU, RAM, Motherboard, or other component.

The question is, "Was it ever fast?"
If the answer is "Yes" you've got too much junk cluttering up your system!

First thing is first:
1) If you're on XP: Start>Run>Type in msconfig>Click OK
2) If you're on Vista: Start>Type in msconfig>Press Enter
3) On the "System Configuration Utility" that comes up, click on the "Startup" tab.
4) Uncheck EVERYTHING that is there.
5) Click "OK" and restart the computer.

When your system comes back up, is it faster? More responsive? The answer SHOULD be yes. What you should then do is download and install and run the following pieces of software:

Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php
Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Both have free editions that you can use. This should clean up any spyware that may be on your computer that is causing slowdowns.

If the answer after the msconfig is "No, it's still slow" then you've got more serious software issues. Your best option would be to backup what you need on your hard drive and format and reinstall windows. The computer will run as well as it did the day you bought it!