Having to endure slow PC speed while browsing the web can really put you off using the internet, and ruin your productivity if web-research forms part of your work. This article steps through simple ways to improve internet and PC speed.
Speeding up PC and internet performance is one of the easier home computer repair tasks you can attempt, without needing too much additional software.
Start your troubleshooting by disabling the browser add-ons you have installed. Some of these can use a lot of bandwidth as each page loads. With some trial and error (disabling/enabling add-ons) it should be apparent which are to blame. Alternately, use a separate clean install browser for those times when web connectivity is slow.
One thing to consider is virus corruption on your PC. Run a scan for malware/viruses that could have damaged registry settings/system programs or are running in the background making remote calls (e.g. mass email viruses).
Test out using different browsers. They each support the HTML slightly differently and plug-ins (e.g. flash) so some work better than others on certain sites. Keep the browser up to date, as patches often include performance tweaks.
Use the firewall permissions to block some of your client applications from accessing the web. Some services such as Windows update you will wish to enable access for, but lesser programs that ping servers repeatedly may be better deactivated.
Finally, get the latest updates for your modems device drivers and check the maker’s site/user forums for tuning recommendations for getting the most from your specific modem.
If the internet and/or PC speed does not improve after trying these tasks then you may have to face up to the connection being slow. Use speedtest.net to check the connection speeds on a regular basis and contact your ISP if the performance falls below your expectations.