Quick fix: why is my computer suddenly so slow?

A computer that slows down overnight usually has a reason, and many of those reasons are easy to check.

1. Restart it properly. On Windows use Start, then Power, then Restart. On a Mac use the Apple menu, then Restart. Closing the lid is not the same thing.
2. Let updates finish. Windows and Mac often run updates in the background, which can slow things down for a while.
3. Close programs and browser tabs you aren't using. Dozens of open tabs can eat up memory.
4. See what is busy. On Windows, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc together to open Task Manager. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor from Applications, then Utilities. Look for anything using a lot of CPU or memory.
5. Check your free space. A nearly full drive slows everything down. The "storage almost full" guide in this topic walks you through it.
6. Don't download "speed up" or "cleaner" programs. Many of them cause more problems than they fix.

Stop and get help if the slowness came with strange pop-ups, new toolbars, programs you didn't install, or clicking noises from the computer. Those can mean malware or a failing drive, and both deserve a proper look.

Still stuck? Post your make, model and what you see in this topic, or send me a request for a free assessment.