After installing a security software, the computer will slightly slow down, which to a certain degree is normal. If you notice a significant slowdown after installing your Bitdefender protection, this easy to follow, step-by-step guide will help to speed up your system.
1. Multiple antivirus programs
The most probable cause of the situation is that Bitdefender is not the only security program installed on the system.
During the setup, Bitdefender searches and prompts you to remove the security programs found on the system. Having more than one security solution installed on the same PC will cause slowdown, incompatibility issues, and the normal action of either one of them is not guaranteed. This is why we recommend our customers to remove any other antivirus programs they may use before installing Bitdefender. For more information, please refer to this article – Uninstall tools for common antivirus software.
2. System Requirements
If you removed all the other security solutions from the computer but the PC is still slow, make sure system requirements for running Bitdefender are met.
If your machine does not meet the system requirements, the computer will become sluggish, especially when multiple applications are running at the same time. You can find here the system requirements for running Bitdefender.
3. Unused programs
Any computer has programs or applications that are not used. And many unwanted programs run in the background, taking up disk space and memory. If you do not use a program, uninstall it. This is also valid for any other pre-installed software or trial software you forgot to remove.
Note: If you suspect a program or an application to be an essential part of your operating system, do not remove it and contact Bitdefender Technical Support for assistance.
4. Data Corruption, hard disk fragmentation
There could be too many invalid registry keys left in your Windows Registry or your hard disk drives are too fragmented.
Cleaning the Windows Registry can improve the performance of your system. Also, file fragmentation slows down file access and decreases system performance. Running the Disk Defragmenter can improve the performance of your system. You can find the steps to run Disk Defragmenter in this article.
5. Your system may be infected
Your system speed and its general behavior can also be affected by malware. Spyware, viruses, Trojans, and adware all take a toll on your computer’s performance. Make sure to scan your system periodically, at least once a week. It is recommended to use the Bitdefender System Scan because it scans for all types of malware threatening the security of your system.
To start the System Scan, follow these steps:
- Open the Bitdefender window.
- Click on System Scan.