The pattern matters more than the symptom. Gradual slowdown over months or years is almost always bloatware buildup, a nearly-full drive, or aging hardware. Sudden slowdown — especially if it happened over a day or a week — is more likely a virus or malware.
Signs it’s a virus
- Your PC slowed down suddenly, not gradually
- Pop-ups or browser redirects you didn’t install
- Internet is slow even when no programs are running
- Your antivirus is disabled and won’t turn back on
- Programs you didn’t install appeared on their own
Signs it’s hardware/age
- Slow boot times that got longer over years, not overnight
- Programs take a long time to open but don’t crash
- It’s over 5 years old and was never a powerhouse
- The drive is 90%+ full
When in doubt
Our $24.99 diagnostic tells you exactly what’s going on — virus, hardware, or both. If it turns out to be something we can’t fix, the diagnostic is free. Book one here if you’re in North Georgia.