Slow computer? What to check before reinstalling Windows

"My computer got slow, I want to reinstall Windows" is one of the most common requests we hear. Yet a reinstall often leaves the cause untouched. Half an hour of checking is usually cheaper and faster.

What actually slows a computer down

• A mechanical hard drive. If the system sits on a spinning disk, no number of reinstalls will make it fast. Moving to an SSD is the single most noticeable change.
• Not enough memory. With 4 GB of RAM, a modern browser and Office together are already too much.
• Startup programs. Dozens of apps loading at once swallow the first five minutes.
• A full system drive. Windows itself slows down once the drive passes about 90 percent.
• Malware. Hidden miners and adware keep the processor busy permanently.
• Heat. When temperatures run high the processor deliberately reduces its speed.

When a reinstall is the right answer

Reinstalling makes sense when system files are damaged, when years of clutter have piled up, or when you need certainty that malware is gone. If the cause is disk speed or memory, the machine will be back to its old self within days.

Four things to do before reinstalling

1. Copy your data. Work documents, photos, video, downloads. Do not forget the Desktop, Documents and Downloads folders.
2. Sync your browser. Make sure saved passwords, bookmarks and history are synced to your Google or Microsoft account.
3. Check your licences. Have keys and sign-in details ready for Office, antivirus and any professional software.
4. Find your drivers. On older laptops especially, without the network driver you cannot get online after the install.