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    Does adding lots of programs slow my PC down?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by lottdod_1999, Jun 26, 2009.

  1. lottdod_1999

    lottdod_1999 Notebook Evangelist

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    If I add a lot of programs, and sometimes remove some, slow my computer down even if it's brand new? If I keep them organized, and only running when they need to, and keep my registry clean?

    I have a lot of programs that are just necessary for what I do.. but I'd hate to think that just having them there slows everything down.
     
    lottdod_1999, Jun 26, 2009
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  2. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    Having many applications installed is not the problem as long as you have enough free space on your hard-drive. It only matters on how many of those applications have background processes that startup alongside Windows, causing them to chew up system memory and CPU time.

    Case in point: I have more than 30 applications installed now on my very new desktop (got it in April) and in Task Manager it reports 100+ processes. Fortunately I have 6 GB of memory and ample hard-drive space, and many of these background app's simply sit still not chewing any CPU time. It runs wicked fast still.
     
    dbam987, Jun 26, 2009
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  3. lottdod_1999

    lottdod_1999 Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok
    mine's fast as far as I know I'm just paranoid
     
    lottdod_1999, Jun 26, 2009
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  4. TevashSzat

    TevashSzat Notebook Deity

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    It doesn't really matter how many programs you have installed as much as how much of your system resource each uses.

    If they all have a very small footprint, you can probably have 50 programs installed with no problems but if you have several that hogs alot of CPU or RAM, then it may become a program.
     
    TevashSzat, Aug 3, 2009
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  5. EnterKnight

    EnterKnight Notebook Evangelist

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    Depends on if they run only when told to do is or get loaded at the end of the boot.
     
    EnterKnight, Aug 3, 2009
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  6. pacmandelight

    pacmandelight Notebook Deity

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    If you have a conventional hard drive and it is extremely fragmented, things can slow down.
     
    pacmandelight, Aug 3, 2009
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  7. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    +1 for Glary
     
    Clutch, Aug 3, 2009
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  8. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

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    If you disable programs from running at startup that you don't need/want at startup, then installing programs shouldn't affect performance much at all. Yes, the registry will get more cluttered, but it won't slow things down. What will affect performance the most are all the startup process that programs have. Disabling them will make sure your computer is still speedy.
     
    crash, Aug 3, 2009
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