Windows Reinstallation - Yes or No?

Windows Reinstallation - Yes or No?

Every long-term Windows user is aware that, after a certain period of use, Windows computers tend to slow down. This is often due to background programs, most of which are rarely used, potential viruses, or simply problems with unknown causes.

Before performing any actions on Windows, it's recommended to always back up important data. This ensures that you can easily recover your data in case of unforeseen events or the need to reinstall Windows. Research has shown that the majority of Windows users need to reinstall the operating system at least once during their use, emphasizing the importance of backups.

Why Does the System Slow Down?

This part of the text cannot guarantee that your system won't slow down after a certain time, but it will undoubtedly extend that period and allow for the best possible utilization of computer resources. What actually slows down your computer are poorly written applications that remain in memory and consume CPU resources, running more than one antivirus program, and a heavily filled hard drive, which significantly slows down operations.

Particular caution should be exercised during the installation of new applications. Often, during installation, we are offered options to install different toolbars or other add-ons that are unnecessary for work but significantly slow down the system.

Below is a list of the types of applications to be cautious about during installation:

Applications that function as browser plug-ins can cause significant system slowdowns or even system crashes.

Antivirus programs use certain resources, and having two active antivirus programs on a computer is never advisable.

Always install drivers from the official manufacturer's website, as drivers have a significant impact on system performance.

Most applications with the name "Speed Up Your PC" will likely slow down your computer, so be cautious when installing such applications or similar ones.

"Registry cleaners" are programs that search the registry and delete unnecessary content. Such programs often run at Windows startup and consume resources, so caution is needed when using them.

Other causes of system slowdown are usually irregular virus, malware, and malicious software scanning and cleaning. More information on this topic can be found in our article (Cleaning Viruses from Your Computer - Best Practices).

Sometimes, you want to install a specific application and operating system only for testing purposes, and it's not necessary for everyday use. To avoid further slowing down your computer with such applications, you can run a virtual machine to test and install all such applications without affecting the primary system.

How to Decide if Windows Reinstallation Is Necessary?

The previous text described user activities that often lead to performance degradation and the need for Windows reinstallation. Now you're in doubt and not sure if you need to reinstall your operating system.

The short test that follows will help you make a decision and provide answers to numerous questions.

Do you have a backup of your data in a secure location?

Yes (0)

Yes, but I haven't backed up for some time (+2)

No (+4)

Which Windows operating system do you have installed?

Older OS (Win 2000, Win XP, Vista)(+3)

Popular OS (Win 7)(+1)

New OS (Win 8)(+3)

After turning on your computer and entering your password for the set username, it takes some time for all programs to start and for you to be able to use the computer. How long does this take in seconds?

50-60 seconds (+1)

60-120 seconds (+2)

120-240 seconds (+3)

I have time to make dinner while the computer gets ready to use. (+5)

Does your computer have trouble running games that you used to run without any issues?

Yes (+2)

No (-1)

I don't play games (0)

Press the Ctrl-Shift-Esc key combination and select "Start task manager." Close all other programs except the task manager and the web browser you are using to read this. Check the CPU usage values under the Performance category.

2%-12% (0)

12%-25% (+1)

25%-50% (+2)

50%-75% (+4)

75%-100% (+6)

What is the current memory usage?

20%-30% (0)

30%-40% (+1)

Around 50% (+2)

Over 80% (+3)

Do you sometimes browse adult content websites?

No (0)

Occasionally, but only a few pages (+1)

Yes, multiple pages (+3)

Daily, and I have a large collection of bookmarked websites (+4)

Do you have an antivirus program installed?

Yes (0)

No (+3)

How often do you perform a detailed file scan with an antivirus program?

Never/I don't have antivirus (+4)

Once a year (+3)

Every 6 months (+2)

Once a month (+1)

How much time has passed since you last installed your operating system or purchased your computer?

Less than 6 months (0)

6-12 months (+1)

12-24 months (+2)

Over 24 months (+3)

Result is 2-10: You don't need to worry about anything. Your computer efficiently utilizes resources, and your computer usage habits are generally good. It's mandatory to back up all important data if it hasn't been done previously.

Result is 10-18: Your computer is starting to show signs of "aging," and the time it takes for Windows to start up is too long. It's still not too late for your Windows, but you need to check which antivirus program you're using, whether it's activated, or if the trial period has expired. Make sure you regularly download new definitions or updates. Also, remove all unused applications and review which programs start with Windows, disabling those you don't need. Running programs for different types of malicious code can bring your Windows back to life.

Result is 18-28: Your computer crashes too often, and the only thing that can bring satisfactory results is reinstalling Windows. If you have a backup in a secure location, you can restore all data after reinstalling Windows. It's also possible that your computer needs a hardware upgrade of key components.