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Fix slow computer problems

There are many reasons why your computer might be running slow. Over time, regular use of your computer builds up unneeded files and may fragment your hard disk. You may also notice a performance degrade if your computer is infected.

Select one or more of these solutions to improve the performance of your computer.

Make sure that your computer is not infected

To check if your computer is infected, we suggest that you download and run the Norton Power Eraser tool.
Depending on your version of Windows, download one of the following: 

Remove temporary files and folders

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, double-click Performance, and then click File Cleanup.

  3. When it completes, click Close.


Improve your computer startup time

Many applications are configured to launch when you start your computer. These include programs that you never use, rarely use, or never knew that you had. The more programs that launch when you start your computer, the longer it takes. Norton Startup Manager lets you disable or delay startup programs to get you up and running faster.

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, double-click Performance, and then click Startup Manager.

  3. In the Startup Manager window, do the following:

    • In the On/Off column, uncheck programs that you don't use to prevent them from launching when your computer starts.

    • In the Delay Start column, select programs that you want to load only after startup completes.

  4. Click Apply, and then click Close.


Check if your files are fragmented

The files on your computer may get fragmented over time which makes them slow to load or run. Run Optimize Disk to check if you need to defragment your files.

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, double-click Performance, and then click Optimize Disk.

  3. When it completes, click Close.

Optimize your boot volume

Optimization of your boot volume maximizes the usable free space by rearranging file fragments into adjacent and contiguous clusters. When the drive head of your hard disk accesses all the file data in one location, the file is read into the memory faster.

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, double-click Performance, and then click Graphs.

  3. In the Graphs window, at the top of the security status graph, click Optimize.

Stop running background tasks when you play games

You can turn on Full Screen Detection to sense when you're running a program that shouldn't be interrupted. Norton then waits until you're done with the app before running background tasks that keep you protected.

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, click Settings.

  3. In the Settings window, click Administrative Settings.

  4. Under Silent Mode Settings, in the Full Screen Detection row, move the switch to On.

  5. Click Apply, and then click Close.

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DOCID: v59066932
Operating System: Windows
Last modified: 09/06/2023