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How I Fixed My Sluggish Windows PC Without Reinstalling Everything

How I Fixed My Sluggish Windows PC Without Reinstalling Everything

Most PC owners have had to deal with the nuisance of working on an underperforming and lagging computer, me included. I often encounter random Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), apps freezing constantly, and boot times that test my patience.

The worst part is when I actually try to fix these issues by running antivirus scans, cleaning up the hard drive, or disabling startup programs, I still end up with a slow-running computer.

Man mad at computer

In these cases, most users simply decide to format the computer and install a brand-new Windows copy – that was my first idea.

But, fortunately, there’s a smarter and quicker way to fix these types of issues.

Common causes of a sluggish PC

Many factors contribute to slowing down your computer, with the most common including:

  • 🧱 Stacked up background apps: Numerous open apps can easily bog down the CPU and RAM, leading to a sluggish and slow experience.
  • ❌ Lack of disk space: HDDs and SDDs’ mechanical nature makes them prone to underperform when storage is almost full.
  • 💽 Fragmented hard drive: Cluttered hard or solid-state drives slowly degrade due to file fragmentation, which is when parts of deleted files are broken up across physical segments of the disk.
  • ⚠️ Corrupt system files: Prolonged computer use inevitably leads to damaged Windows or software files, creating freezes, crashes, and slowdowns.
  • 🚦 Startup programs overload: Anytime you install a new app, it’s usually added to the startup programs. Unless you manually disable them, they’ll keep stacking until it takes a geological age to boot completely.
  • 🐛 Malware: Viruses, spyware, and adware can quickly turn a speedy PC into a sloth on a leisure stroll.

Unfortunately, tackling all these issues usually requires multiple tools, which drains anyone’s patience and time. That’s unless you find a unified solution that takes care of all of this in one go, just like I did.

Slow computers

Why I didn't want to reinstall Windows (again)

Oftentimes, after following endless tutorials on how to fix a slow computer, I would give up and just end up fixing it by reinstalling Windows.

While this approach is usually foolproof, it’s not always the best choice.

Not only is it a time-consuming task, but it’s also dangerous because you might lose important system settings, apps, and backups.

Eventually, I got fed up with resorting to this long process and searched for alternative methods on how to fix a slow laptop or computer.

What I found: Fortect PC Suite

My curiosity led me to do some research, and that’s when I found a cloud-based security suite named Fortect PC Suite, specialised in Windows operating systems.

Fortect

Fortect

Editor's rating:
Starting price: $2.82/mo
Main features
  • Real-time antivirus protection
  • PC performance optimization
  • Robust browsing protection
  • Privacy vulnerability protection
  • Intuitive and clutter-free interface
  • Strong malware protection
  • Superb browsing protection
  • Multiplatform
  • Few pricing options
  • Limited to five devices
  • Short free trial
Summary
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Fortect is a comprehensive security suite that offers malware and web protection, performance optimization, and privacy features to prevent your online activity from being exposed. Although it specializes in Windows protection, it also has apps for macOS, Android, and iOS, complemented by a remarkable browser extension for Chrome security.

With only three subscription tiers, the cheapest option costs $2.82 monthly, billed annually, including a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. Before purchasing, you can take advantage of Fortect's short-term free trial of 24 hours that includes a free scan for security, privacy, and performance issues.

Special offers
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Free trial with Fortect
60-day money-back guarantee with Fortect

After reviewing Fortect's features, I was convinced enough to try it.

Like subscribing, installing the app was also a walk in the park. When launching it for the first time, I immediately noticed how clean and simple the interface was.

Essentially, its intuitive nature is vital for users looking for a Windows security and performance optimization app that doesn’t require nearly any manual effort.

Fortect PC Suite offers users a quick and effortless way to repair and fix all types of Windows 10 and 11 errors.

It includes corrupted file repairs, secure driver updates, real-time antivirus, junk file cleanup, data breach warnings, and comprehensive browsing protection for Chrome.

Free trial with Fortect
Fortect logo
Use Fortect's 24-hour free trial and use its free full system scan to repair all security, performance, and privacy issues on your device.
Try Fortect

What happened after using it

After running Fortect PC’s one-click scan (which covers performance, security, and privacy issues) and restarting the computer, I instantly noticed a big difference in the booting time (10 seconds faster).

This was an excellent first impression, and what followed was even better: apps loading faster, no more errors and sudden crashes, and a much faster browsing experience thanks to its Chrome extension.

Considering there are many similar internet security suites that are either too complex or don’t really help much, the outcome of using Fortect PC suite was truly remarkable and exceeded all expectations.

The truth is that this app offers you the chance not only to repair computer problems but also to sit back and enjoy browsing the internet safely.

And, at the end of the day, you don’t have to worry about the hurdles of formatting a computer, such as losing files or backups.

Nonetheless, it’s important to highlight that this type of software isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There’s always the chance that your computer’s running slow due to hardware-related concerns, and in that case, you can’t fix it with performance and security optimizers.

Final thoughts: Is it worth it?

I was honestly impressed with Fortect's ease of use and capabilities in fixing Windows errors and improving the overall system’s performance.

Happy woman working on her laptop

Plus, with real-time monitoring and extensive browsing protection, you get to fix all types of Windows issues while staying private and secure.

What’s best about Fortect PC is the apps and browser extension design, which is outstandingly intuitive.

Ultimately, users should remember that fixing Windows errors and performance issues isn’t always about speed but convenience and peace of mind.

Considering all this, this software is perfect for casual and older users who struggle with more advanced tools.

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