Because here’s the truth – most slow computers aren’t broken. They’re just… cluttered. Overworked. In need of a little TLC.

Today I’m sharing the same tricks I use on my own computers. No special software required. No tech degree needed. Just simple maintenance that actually works.

Fix #1: Restart Your Computer (Seriously)

I know it sounds too simple to matter. But when I ask “When did you last restart your computer?” the answer is often “Um… weeks ago?”

Your computer needs rest, just like you do. Programs pile up in memory. Background processes accumulate. Things slow down.

A restart clears all of that out. Fresh start.

The fix: Restart your computer at least once a week. I do mine every Sunday morning.

Fix #2: Close Those Browser Tabs

Be honest: How many browser tabs do you have open right now?

Each open tab uses memory. Ten tabs? Fine. Thirty tabs? That’s your computer gasping for air. Fifty tabs? We need to talk.

The fix: Close tabs you’re not actively using. Bookmark anything you want to save for later. Your browser (and your brain) will thank you.

Fix #3: Check Your Startup Programs

Every time you turn on your computer, a bunch of programs start running automatically. Some you need. Many you don’t.

That software you installed three years ago and forgot about? Still running. Every. Single. Day.

The fix (Windows):

1. Right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager”
2. Click the “Startup” tab
3. Look for programs you don’t need starting automatically
4. Right-click and select “Disable”

Don’t disable things you don’t recognize – those might be important. But that Adobe updater? The Spotify launcher? Probably safe to disable.

Fix #4: Clear Out the Junk

Your hard drive is like a closet. When it’s stuffed full, nothing works right.

Computers need breathing room – at least 15-20% of your hard drive should be free space. Less than that, and things slow down noticeably.

The fix:

1. Empty your Recycle Bin (right-click, “Empty Recycle Bin”)
2. Clear your Downloads folder (delete what you don’t need)
3. Uninstall programs you don’t use (Settings > Apps > look for stuff you forgot you had)

Windows also has a built-in cleanup tool: Search for “Disk Cleanup” and let it find files you can safely delete.

Fix #5: Update Everything

I know those update popups are annoying. “Remind me later” is so tempting.

But updates often include performance improvements. Microsoft and Apple are constantly fixing things that slow computers down.

The fix: Set aside 20-30 minutes. Run all your updates. Restart when prompted. It might take a bit, but your computer will run better afterward.

Fix #6: Check for Malware

Sometimes slow computers have uninvited guests – malware, adware, or other junk running in the background.

The fix: Run a full scan with your antivirus software. If you don’t have antivirus software… we should talk.

Windows has built-in protection (Windows Defender/Security), and it’s actually pretty good. Make sure it’s running and up to date.

When It’s Time to Call for Help

If you’ve tried all of the above and your computer is still painfully slow, it might be:

• A failing hard drive (we can diagnose and often upgrade to a faster SSD)
• Not enough memory/RAM (often upgradeable)
• Actually time for a new computer (happens eventually)

The key is knowing BEFORE you spend $800 on a new computer when a $100 upgrade would have fixed it.

That’s what we’re here for. A quick diagnostic can save you a lot of money and frustration.

The Bottom Line

Most slow computers don’t need to be replaced. They need maintenance. The same way your car needs oil changes, your computer needs regular attention.

The six fixes above? They’re free, they’re easy, and they work. Try them before you throw in the towel.

Still struggling with a slow computer? Call us at 540.303.2410. We’ll figure out what’s going on and get you back to full speed.

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Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions provides computer repair, IT support, and tech education in Winchester, VA and Frederick County. We’ve been helping our community since 2005 – and we don’t just fix computers, we educate.

Family photos from the last ten years? Tax documents you’d need to recreate? That folder of recipes? Your business files?

Most people I talk to in Winchester have the same reaction: a slightly panicked look followed by “I really should back that up.”

Today, let’s actually do something about it.

What IS a Backup, Anyway?

Let’s keep this simple. A backup is just a copy of your important files stored somewhere OTHER than your computer.

That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just a copy, somewhere else.

Why somewhere else? Because if your computer crashes, gets stolen, or takes an unfortunate coffee bath (happens more than you’d think), your backup is safe and sound.

The 3-2-1 Rule (In Plain English)

Tech folks love the “3-2-1 rule” for backups. Sounds complicated, but it’s not:

• 3 copies of your important stuff
• 2 different types of storage
• 1 copy stored somewhere offsite

In real life? That means:

1. Original files on your computer
2. Backup on an external hard drive
3. Another backup in the cloud (online)

Is this overkill for most people? Maybe. But even doing two out of three puts you ahead of 90% of folks.

Option 1: The External Hard Drive

This is the simplest option and where I recommend most people start.

What you need: An external hard drive ($60-100 at any electronics store)

How it works: Plug it into your computer, run backup software (Windows and Mac both have built-in options), and unplug when it’s done.

Pros: One-time cost, no monthly fees, you control it completely

Cons: You have to remember to do it, and if there’s a fire or theft, both your computer AND backup could be lost

My advice: Keep it simple. Plug in the drive every Sunday evening while you’re watching TV. Let it run. Put it back in your desk drawer.

Option 2: Cloud Backup

Cloud backup means your files get copied to a server somewhere on the internet, automatically.

What you need: A subscription to a backup service (iCloud, Google Drive, Carbonite, Backblaze, etc.)

How it works: Install the software, set it up once, and forget about it. It runs automatically.

Pros: Completely automatic, offsite by definition, accessible from anywhere

Cons: Monthly fee ($5-15/month typically), requires decent internet, some people worry about privacy

My advice: Great for set-it-and-forget-it types. Once it’s running, you don’t have to think about it.

Option 3: Both (What I Do)

Belt AND suspenders. External hard drive for local backup, cloud service for offsite backup.

If one fails, you’ve got the other. Peace of mind: priceless.

What Should You Actually Back Up?

You don’t need to back up everything. Focus on what’s irreplaceable:

• Documents folder – tax files, important PDFs, personal documents
• Photos – this is usually the big one for most people
• Desktop – if you store important stuff there
• Any work files – especially if you’re self-employed

What you DON’T need to back up: Programs and software. You can always reinstall those. It’s your personal files and data that matter.

How Often Should You Back Up?

For most home users: Once a week is fine.

For business: Daily, or even continuous (cloud backup handles this automatically).

For that novel you’re writing or your business’s accounting files: Back up after every session. External hard drives are cheap. Rewriting three chapters is not.

The Most Important Part: Actually Do It

The best backup system is the one you actually use.

A $200 external drive collecting dust in a drawer? Useless.
A cloud service you signed up for but never configured? Useless.
A $50 drive you plug in every Sunday without fail? Priceless.

Start simple. Build the habit. You can always get fancier later.

Need Help Getting Started?

Setting up a backup system is one of the most common things we help Winchester residents with. It’s not complicated, but sometimes having someone walk you through it the first time makes all the difference.

Want us to set up a backup system for you? Call 540.303.2410. We’ll get you protected and show you exactly how it works.

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Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions has been helping Winchester, VA and Frederick County with computer repair, IT support, and technology education since 2005. We don’t just fix computers – we educate.

So what do most people do? They use the same simple password everywhere. Or they give up and hit “Forgot Password” every single time.

I get it. I’ve been doing tech support in Winchester for over 40 years, and password frustration is universal. But here’s the good news: there’s a simple fix that takes about 15 minutes.

The Simple System That Actually Works

Forget trying to memorize 47 different passwords. Here’s what I recommend for most people:

Step 1: Get a notebook. Not a fancy one – any notebook will do. This is going to live in your desk drawer at home.

Step 2: Create three GOOD passwords.

• One for banking and financial sites
• One for email
• One for everything else (shopping, social media, etc.)

Step 3: Write them down. Include the website name and which password you used. Keep it simple.

Step 4: Put the notebook in your desk drawer. Not stuck to your monitor. Not under your keyboard. In a drawer.

That’s it. Fifteen minutes, and you’re more secure than 90% of people.

“But Skits, Isn’t Writing Passwords Down Unsafe?”

Here’s the reality check: A notebook in your desk drawer is WAY safer than using “password123” on every website.

Think about it. For someone to steal your written passwords, they’d have to physically break into your home, find your desk, find the notebook, and figure out which accounts to target.

But if you’re using weak passwords because they’re “easy to remember”? Hackers can crack those from anywhere in the world without leaving their couch.

What Makes a Good Password?

A good password doesn’t have to be complicated gibberish. It just needs to be:

• At least 12 characters long
• Not an obvious word or phrase (your dog’s name, your birthday, “password”)
• Different from your other passwords

One trick: Use a short phrase that means something to you. “IlovedogsMay2024!” is way stronger than “Buddy123” and easier to remember.

When to Level Up to a Password Manager

Eventually, you might want a password manager – that’s software that remembers all your passwords for you. It’s more secure and more convenient once you get used to it.

But if you’re not there yet? The notebook system works just fine. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

The One Password That Really Matters

If there’s ONE password you should make rock-solid, it’s your email password.

Why? Because email is the master key to everything else. Forgot your bank password? Reset link goes to your email. Shopping site password? Same thing.

If someone gets into your email, they can reset passwords for everything else you own.

Make your email password strong. Make it unique. And for the love of all things holy, don’t use it anywhere else.

The Bottom Line

Passwords don’t have to be a constant source of stress. A simple system – even an old-fashioned notebook – beats chaos every time.

Start with the basics. Three strong passwords, written down, stored safely. You can always get fancier later.

And remember – we don’t just fix computers at SKTS. We educate. Because understanding this stuff makes your life easier, not harder.

Questions about passwords, security, or anything else tech-related? Call us at 540.303.2410. We’re here to help our Winchester neighbors.

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Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions provides computer repair, IT support, and technology training in Winchester, VA and Frederick County. We’ve been helping our community since 2005.

1. Restart Your Computer Once a Week

I know, I know – sounds too simple. But you’d be amazed how many problems this prevents.

Your computer is like you after a long week. Programs pile up in memory, updates wait in the background, things get sluggish. A weekly restart clears all that out and gives your machine a fresh start.

Pick a day. I do mine on Sunday mornings while I’m making coffee. By the time my cup is ready, so is my computer.

2. Write Down Your Passwords (Yes, Really)

Before you panic – I’m not talking about sticky notes on your monitor. That’s a terrible idea.

I’m talking about a notebook in your desk drawer at home. A physical place where you write down your important passwords so you’re not using “password123” on everything because you can’t remember anything else.

Is a password manager better? Sure, eventually. But a notebook in your desk is 1000% better than weak passwords everywhere. Progress over perfection.

3. Back Up Your Important Files

Here’s a question that makes most people uncomfortable: If your computer died right now, what would you lose?

Family photos? Tax documents? That recipe your daughter emailed you years ago?

Your computer WILL eventually fail. Not being pessimistic – that’s just how computers work. The question is whether you’ll be ready when it happens.

An external hard drive costs about $60. Plug it in once a week, let it back up, put it away. That’s it. Cheap insurance for priceless memories.

4. Close Those Browser Tabs

How many tabs do you have open right now? If you can’t see the titles anymore because there are too many… that’s why your computer is slow.

Each tab uses memory. Twenty tabs open is like trying to have twenty conversations at once – exhausting for you AND your computer.

Here’s the habit: End each day by closing tabs you don’t need. Bookmark anything you want to keep. Start tomorrow fresh.

5. Empty Your Recycle Bin

Those files you deleted last month? They’re still taking up space. The Recycle Bin holds onto everything until you actually empty it.

Once a week, right-click that trash can icon and hit “Empty Recycle Bin.” Free space, instantly.

The Bottom Line

None of this requires special software or technical expertise. It’s just building small habits that add up to a healthier, faster, more reliable computer.

Start with one. Master it. Add another. By March, you’ll be running smoother than you have in years.

And hey – if you run into trouble or want help setting up a backup system, that’s what we’re here for. We don’t just fix computers in Winchester – we educate.

Questions? Give us a call at 540.303.2410 or stop by. We’re always happy to help our Frederick County neighbors.

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Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions has been helping Winchester, VA residents and businesses with computer repair, IT support, and technology training since 2005. We believe in education over quick fixes – because understanding your technology means fewer problems down the road.