Why would my computer suddenly start operating PAINFULLY slowly?

You are probably infected by spy-ware. Install Microsoft Windows Defender

you can download it from here ==>

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa...

Run it and it will clean all spyware on your computer. Also make sure you clean all your temporary internet files.

That should do it.

Hope it helps!!!!

Wow, some really GREAT advice in these responses, but, one more. If not bad hardware, or spybots, etc.

Worked on a couple's system the other day in their home, and they had over 150 icons on the Desktop, plus, loaded into the startup menu, so they were in the tool bar, PLUS they have ALL the floating toolbars on screen, on the desktop, that they could find!

Killed 64, showing them how to do it, and the system sped up significantly!

Then, I showed them PCLINUXOS that runs 8X faster, on the same hardware, that is immune to the 150,000 Microsoft virus definitions, spyware, adware, etc. so it doesn't need all those 'anti-' programs! http://pclinuxos.com/

there are a lot of reasons for this. it could be to full of a hard drive to a virus. it could also be adware and spy ware. i would run your virus scan and the run any adware and spy ware programs also. then check to see how much space you have left on your hard drive and get rid of the stuff you dont need. i also just read an articule here recently that also addresses this problem. and the person suggested that you empty your tem internet files. i did this and it did pick up some speed. and it is simple to do. all you need to do is open up your web browser go to tools then internet options and then go to were it says temporary internet files and hit the delete button. i hope this helps you.

Any software and scans ought to come across them on the subsequent test........besides the fact that if an endemic have been given you whilst the AV grow to be no longer put in. it fairly is exceedingly no longer likely you acquire an endemic. I used to run my previous computer devoid of any AV application and that ran super. The computer worked for 2 years till i offered a replace. No virus ever have been given to it. ^ that ultimately speedy element is a rip-off...you should pay for "Fixes" that are greater low-cost to purchase reliable application on the shops to do.......dont fall for it. As suggested, use a clean exterior cooling fan...besides the fact that if its a case fan, it fairly is nonetheless mandatory.

there are several reasons for computers to operate slow.

1 you may have a virus that is using all your processing power

2 your hard drive may be very fragmented

3 your hard drive may be almost full

4 you may be running software that is at the computers limit to handle

It sounds like you should run a full virus scan then defrag the hard drive and reboot.

Spyware

In my friend's case, she kept getting a pop-up to purchase a virus scanner and that ended up causing her computer to crash. Fortunately, it was only a software problem and a local computer place was able to take care of it for her very reasonably.

in order of likelihood:

1. spyware infection

2. full harddrive

3. bad memory chip

maybe poor windows is overloaded... try uninstalling the new programs u have just installed