This is a common problem, especially among PC users. Microsoft Window is notorious for "slowing down" over time. The fact is, it's not the age of the computer, but how it is used. Unfortunately, the most common use of Windows - changing programs, hardware, and settings - is the most common cause of having your computer run slow.

Common Causes

1. Low RAM

Increasing the RAM of your system can have incredible results. Computer RAM is not that expensive. RAM stands for "Random Access Memory," and is the main variable in how "fast" your computer is when you're using it. It allows you to run multiple programs at the same time, and multi-task much more efficiently.

2. Lots of Icons on your desktop

Another cause of a slow computer is a lot of icons on your desktop. It's so easy to just save stuff to the desktop and then leave it there. The fact is, all those shortcuts and icons on the desktop eat up RAM, and if you have low RAM to begin with it's not a pretty sight. Clean up the icons on your desktop and you'll see a good boost in performance.

3. Fragmented Hard Drive

The way your computer stores data is a little cryptic, but the basic fact is that data can be split up and files stored in pieces all over your hard drive. When you need to retrieve files and run programs the computer has to find all the pieces and put them together. You can defragment your hard drive and put all the pieces together on the hard drive so your computer doesn't have to go searching around for them. You can defragment your hard drive by going to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter.

4. Cluttered And Corrupted Windows Registry

Perhaps the most common cause of a slow computer, especially one that is older than 6 months, is a cluttered and corrupted Windows registry. Using the best registry repair tools can usually clear this up.

Over time as you use your computer and install and uninstall programs, change settings, and introduce new hardware, the Windows registry gets changed. Sometimes old registry entries are not removed, and they get "left over." Over time these registry entries build up, and since Windows needs the registry to run, problems with the registry can severely hamper your system.

Think of the registry as a large filing cabinet where your programs and hardware store all their vital settings and preference files. This filing cabinet can get cluttered and disorganized with old folders, useless files, and corrupted entries. When Windows tries to read stuff in the cabinet, it gets tripped up on all the invalid entries.

The best way to speed up a slow PC is to use a top registry cleaner. A registry cleaner is a special program that can scan through your Windows registry in seconds and remove the broken entries. This can have a dramatic effect on the speed of your computer, boosting boot times and performance.