Why is my computer running slow malware

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Why is my computer running slow malware. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If your computer is running slower than usual, background processes such as malware or unwanted software may be consuming system resources. This article outlines how to identify common performance issues, run security scans, and restore normal operation on Windows and macOS devices.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Restart your computer to clear temporary processes and free up memory.
2. Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs that are consuming CPU and RAM.
3. Run a full security scan using your installed antivirus or anti-malware software.
4. Check for and install any pending operating system updates.

Detailed Instructions

Windows: Check for Malware and Unwanted Software

1. Open the Start menu and type Windows Security, then press Enter.
2. Select Virus & threat protection from the sidebar.
3. Click Scan options.
4. Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan and click Scan now. Your computer will restart and perform a deep scan before Windows loads.
5. Once the scan completes, review the results and remove any detected threats.

macOS: Check for Malware and Unwanted Software

1. Open Finder and navigate to /Applications.
2. Look for any applications you do not recognise or did not install.
3. Drag unwanted applications to the Trash, then empty the Trash.
4. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
5. Go to Privacy & Security and ensure your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers.
6. Run a scan using a reputable macOS anti-malware tool if performance issues persist.

Check Browser Performance

1. Open your web browser and access the settings or preferences menu.
2. Navigate to the privacy or history section.
3. Select the option to clear browsing data, including cache and cookies.
4. Disable or remove any browser extensions you do not recognise or no longer use.
5. Restart the browser and test page loading speeds.

If your browser continues to load pages slowly after clearing cache and cookies, refer to our guide on Browser not loading pages.

Troubleshooting

Applications Freezing or Crashing

Malware can interfere with system stability, causing applications to freeze or crash unexpectedly. If this is happening alongside slow performance, a security scan is recommended. For more detailed steps, see our article on Applications freezing or crashing.

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

In severe cases, malware or conflicting software can trigger a blue screen error. If your computer restarts unexpectedly with a blue screen, follow our Blue screen of death (BSOD) - restart steps.

Disk Space Issues

A nearly full hard drive can significantly slow down your computer. Check your available disk space and remove unnecessary files, old downloads, or unused applications to improve performance.

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