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Geek Culture / Why does windows get slower over time?

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NIlooc223
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Posted: 18th Jun 2012 22:42
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I just installed windows 7 last month and have barely installed anything other then a few games, UDK and photoshop+gimp but windows is running so slowwww now. I defrag weekly and delete all unnessasary files. I have nothing starting up at boot. Here's me specs

Amd FX 4100 4 cores

8 gig kingston ram

Radeon 3870 hd series 512 mb or 3875 cant remember....

But anyways why is it running way slower then it was 2 weeks ago even though the same programs are on the computer and nothing is new.

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TheComet
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Posted: 18th Jun 2012 23:32
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I find this happens to Ubuntu as well, I'd love to know the reason for it...

Here's some interesting info. I never turn my laptop off. Ever. I've had it for over a year now, and the system hasn't slowed down at all. However, if I compare that to my main computer I have upstairs (I only turn it on maybe twice a week), that computer has become noticeably slower. Both devices run Win7 x64 Ultimate. Why does this happen?

My laptop has by far more programs installed on it than my main computer. You can also rule out defragmentation.

TheComet


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NIlooc223
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Posted: 18th Jun 2012 23:41
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I'm glad I am not the only one the realizes this to. I actually recently started only using sleep mode as turning off and on took to long so I couldnt do quick searches. But from 2 weeks ago to know theres been a very noticiable difference in the speed.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 02:39
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No problems here. Runs for weeks at a time. I'm on 8 now but was same with 7. Got any crapware installed?

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NIlooc223
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 02:45
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Nope just a few game design software. I avoid that crap software and its obvious when it is crap.

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maho76
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 10:25 Edited at: 19th Jun 2012 10:25
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open workbench, rightclick C:, preferences > clean (deleting temps) minimum once a week.
look into system preferences for defragmenting your drives from time to time. easy to do, and business as usual since win95.

over YEARS without refreshing the system the registry gets filled up with little crap-snippets from installed software, but that doesnt affect the system that much if you DONT download and install every peace of ... software... that you can find in the net. a targeted registry-clean helps here, but ONLY WHEN NECCESSARY. normally when editing the registry in most cases you will write something like "my-pc-is-crashing-help" after you have finished.

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nonZero
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 10:33
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Despite the many claims that a cluttered registry doesn't slow your performance, it does. Most programs do not erase their waste from the registry, you must do it yourself (do not use a "registry cleaner, it breaks your windows) or install everything you can in a sandbox.

Hdd space/number of files and directories. It slows the hdd's performance something awful. It takes longer to read. Also, it's good to remember that only by overwriting data with 0's will it be no long readable as deleted files are simply marked as "writable" areas on the disk. Note that secure undelete software usually overwrite with random data.

Fragmentation could be a factor because:
* Not switching off PC = less performance loss = files cached in memory already.
* Switching it off = more performance loss = files not cached in memory so they have to be re-read from hdd.

A lot of this is all conjecture. Up to everyone what points they agree on (if any).

Ps: Maybe the OS gets tired and you need to kill it and give birth to a new incarnation of it

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bitJericho
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 13:23 Edited at: 19th Jun 2012 16:17
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Quote: "Despite the many claims that a cluttered registry doesn't slow your performance, it does. Most programs do not erase their waste from the registry, you must do it yourself (do not use a "registry cleaner, it breaks your windows) or install everything you can in a sandbox."


Nope, it is balogna. It doesn't slow you down one bit. I havent cleaned a registry on a computer since the Windows XP days. And I gave up on that too since it very often broke something.
Don't touch the registry!

If you're seeing performance issues, it could be an issue with thermal management or your power settings. Run a heat monitor like speedfan and see if heat is a problem. If you're sure you don't have a virus or something, maybe it's all in your head. Here's an easy way to find out.

Reboot your computer, run a benchmarking utility and record your results. Run the benchmark at the same time each day (but now without rebooting). Let us know if you see any drop in performance after so long. If not, then it's possible there's nothing wrong at all.

darkBIT TGC Torrent Tracker / File Server - AGK Chat: #agk : irc.devhat.net
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nonZero
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Posted: 19th Jun 2012 15:58
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Yeah, in agreement about registry cleaners. As I said, they do tend to break your windows. I'd also like to clarify what I meant about the registry and performance:
However you look at it, the Windows registry is still a database at heart. The more entries there are, the longer it may take to process/locate stuff. My Windows used to slow down over time too. It is only since I began to clean my registry manually (which entails deleting things I know I can and leaving what I'm unsure of alone) that my speed has remained decent. Another practice is, as I mentioned earlier, get a sanbox program (I use Sandboxie) and install all the apps that you can in your sandbox. It makes it easier to start fresh. Admittedly, since I changed to x64 I have had a few apps that don't run properly sandboxed but the majority work fine. That's what led me to that conclusion of the Registry but it could well be coincidence.

For anybody willing to test the registry theory (I wouldn't) and put an end to one of the biggest debates in PC history, make a batch file, do the test
*By clicking on the code snippet below you agree to take responsibility for any loss / damage resulting from your use of this code. Neither myself nor anybody associated with TGC and these forums accepts any liability.

Seriously, the above was a joke. Don't do it... No.... No!

On a serious note, I think though, running processes also contribute to sluggish behavior. But a lot does also boils down to where and when it slows. That usually gives a clue as to if there's a hardware problem and what it is.

Now that I think about it, maybe it could be the physical number of files and folders on the hdd too (slows reading the MFT down?). I wonder how much weight that theory carries. I'd test these out if I still had more than 1 PC.

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That Guy John
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Posted: 21st Jun 2012 06:14
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Since I started using CCleaner, not sure how long now, I see less bogging with time. Including using the registry cleaner provided with CCleaner, never have any problems.

But, nothing beats a fresh OS install.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 04:36 Edited at: 28th Jun 2012 04:46
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My solution was and is SSD

I laugh at how quick my reboots are let alone my application launch times... if anyone wants to challenge that statement... challenge me to make a video lol in fact... why don't we all challenge all participants on here to record their application [DBP?] launch times and [DBP] compile maybe too...

mine are silly quick

EDIT

Oh and my system never degrades, only gets faster the longer I keep it open...

Intel Core i5 {Gen 2} 2500 [not the K version for good reasons]
8GB Corsair DDR3
Main OS Win7x64 running on an OCZ Agility 3 SATA III SSD
programs running on an OCZ Agility 3 SATA III SSD
and data on various 500+GB HDD's
and for what its worth an NVidia 430GT 1GB PCI-Express x16 {Gen 2}

I have a plethora of applications, 100's [no joke] of Browser tabs and windows open and multiple heavy duty apps as well as the odd BF3 or CoH running in good quality and speed... though I hope to grab me a 600 or 700 series NVidia GPU [I say 700 here as that's about how long before I plan to have silly money to throw at one...]

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Jeku
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 04:52
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SSDs are too small for me to take seriously. I'm waiting for the 1TB SSDs to become the norm.


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ionstream
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 05:51
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I use CCleaner with its registry cleaner, and it has never done anything harmful to the Windows registry. I run it every once in a while, maybe monthly on average. I also make sure my processes are low and that there are no unnecessary services running or programs running in startup - programs sure do like adding themselves to the startup list.

CCleaner is good for removing startup entries because it checks all of the places they can occur. Services.msc will allow you to stop and disable any third party services, but of course be careful when you do. I don't disable any Windows services or driver services, just things that third party programs install needlessly. When I first got my laptop, I had 84 processes running in the background. I have since gotten that down to 51. It starts up fast and runs very well.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 06:10
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Quote: "I use CCleaner with its registry cleaner, and it has never done anything harmful to the Windows registry. I run it every once in a while, maybe monthly on average. I also make sure my processes are low and that there are no unnecessary services running or programs running in startup - programs sure do like adding themselves to the startup list. "


better to do this manually... and it is very easy...

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ionstream
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 10:12
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Manually as in using Regedit, the startup list and autorun.bat? That aint better or easier. Or are you referring to msconfig, which is no more manual than CCleaner?

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MrValentine
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 13:24
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I can make a video tutorial if that helps as I need to clear my startup apps...

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 14:06
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If it needs a tutorial then "Manual" is beginning to sound harder after all.

I rely on TuneUp which does all this behind the scenes - and doesn't need a tutorial.
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MrValentine
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 14:32
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well even apps need tutorials aka manuals lol

dont take the lazy mans route and allow some third party application which in my view are buggy anyway...

my point here is if you are willing to do it manually then ask for help otherwise use those apps... enough on that debate...

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Jeku
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 23:01
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Quote: "my point here is if you are willing to do it manually then ask for help otherwise use those apps... enough on that debate..."


Yah, he asked for help on how you did it, and you didn't explain and just said perhaps you'll make a video tutorial. You're not helping at all with that.

It's not lazy when you use a solid app like CCleaner that's been downloaded millions of times and used successfully. Do you honestly expect us to believe that you manually go through your entire registry regularly and delete all the keys that an app like CCleaner would?


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MrValentine
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Posted: 28th Jun 2012 23:47
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Nobodies asked yet...

I never referenced the registry...

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Pincho Paxton
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Posted: 29th Jun 2012 12:45
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I use CCleaner, and it has never broken my computer yet. What usually does break my computer is Norton AntiVirus.

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nonZero
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Posted: 29th Jun 2012 12:46 Edited at: 29th Jun 2012 13:00
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Quote: "Nobodies asked yet...
I never referenced the registry..."

(Do you mean not changing the registry or not using regedit? Confused. Assume you mean regedit as system change usually affect the registry). My guesses:



Quote: "What usually does break my computer is Norton AntiVirus."



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MrValentine
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Posted: 29th Jun 2012 13:44
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nonZero you made my day haha...

No nothing to do with the registry... Though I do know my way around it to a degree...

But mire like adjusting running services... Display quality and effects... Defrag... And running apps and startup apps... As well as adjusting swap space too... And of course disk cleanup... Among the basics...

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WLGfx
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Posted: 29th Jun 2012 14:09
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I use CCcleaner every 2 to 3 days and Defraggler once every week or 2. No problems here with them either.

Any slowdowns I get is from a million pieces of software being installed and then not having enough memory to hold all the background processes. Just a simple memory upgrade can make a major difference to how it boots up and how quickly your software programs start. All that being said, it was so different with win 98 though, you could switch your computer on, go for a bath, cook tea and it might just be finished booting up to find there's no emails anyway...

Another problem people find themselves having is not tracking the software they install on their machine, me included. When it comes to a major clear out and you go to add/remove software from the control panel, a lot of it looks alien and you're not sure whether you should un-install it or not.

Just running my add/remove now to clear up any junk...

Mental arithmetic? Me? (That's for computers) I can't subtract a fart from a plate of beans!
Warning! May contain Nuts!
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 29th Jun 2012 20:48
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Quote: "a lot of it looks alien and you're not sure whether you should un-install it or not."


Yes, that's the problem with manual checks. I lost sound on my PC for a while because I uninstalled and removed all traces of something or other I didn't recognize. Fortunately, after a reboot, Windows detected that something was missing and pointed me in the right direction. Don't think I've got the same software now though - but I don't see (hear?) any difference.
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mr Handy
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Posted: 30th Jun 2012 02:13
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In my experience Windows going slower and slower because of updating. SP3 adds to my netbooks loading time extra minutes.

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