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controlling updates

  • 13 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by user633449

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I realize this probably isn't a Firefox issue but I need a second opinion on the subject. My computer keeps getting slower and slower. I had the machine rebuilt last March and everything worked fine. But as time goes by the machine just keeps getting slower. I was told by several sources, all the Windows and Microsoft updates are the cause. Is it possible someone here at Firefox has an opinion on the subject? Are in fact all the Windows update's causing my computer to run more slowly? I would appreciate any input. Thank you.

I realize this probably isn't a Firefox issue but I need a second opinion on the subject. My computer keeps getting slower and slower. I had the machine rebuilt last March and everything worked fine. But as time goes by the machine just keeps getting slower. I was told by several sources, all the Windows and Microsoft updates are the cause. Is it possible someone here at Firefox has an opinion on the subject? Are in fact all the Windows update's causing my computer to run more slowly? I would appreciate any input. Thank you.

All Replies (13)

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Hello, over time Windows performance will start to get slower, the most common method to fix this is a clean reinstall of Windows.

Other factors may include but not limited to:

  • Hard Disk Fragmentation - Run Disk Defragmenter to solve this.
  • Disk space is nearly full - Run Disk Cleanup to solve this.
  • Faulty memory/RAM.
  • Failing Hard DIsk -- replace it asap and make backups.

Did this help you? If so mark as solution.

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Hi Mkll, thank you for your reply. I did have a clean reinstall of Windows performed about 8 mo. ago. And, I have always done the proper maintenance as you suggest, disk defrag, and disk clean up on my computer. Evidently to no avail though. Just thought that all those constant updates are causing my computer to run slower? If they are, I thought about deleting some updates. Just wanted a second opinion on it, instead of just relying on Microsoft and what may be a sugar coated response. Thank you, Mkll.

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I would agree with both of you. Have Win10 and since the Fall Update is slow and have 4gig hertz chip, 32 gig ram. Do what you must. Need for Speed.....

Oh, please update to 57.0.2 as it fixes some heavy ram usage : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-version

This may help, is better if can run DISM Repair System Registry and Files

(FOR DOING Above & Below - WINDOWS All OTHER VERSIONS - Use Search To Find Command Prompt ** Enter CMD.exe to Find COMMAND PROMPT Then Right Click & RUN AS ADMIN)

To run the SFC command use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Command Prompt (Admin). Type "SFC /SCANNOW" (without quotes or copy/paste) and press Enter. For more information on using SFC, please refer to the Microsoft KB: Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Run the Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) tools as Administrator. The DISM and SFC tools scan the integrity of the Windows image and all protected system files replaces corrupted, damaged and incorrect versions. (FOR DOING Above & Below - WINDOWS All OTHER VERSIONS - Use Search To Find Command Prompt ** Enter CMD.exe to Find COMMAND PROMPT Then Right Click & RUN AS ADMIN) Type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" (without quotes or copy/paste) and press Enter.

Windows 10 To run the DISM command use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu, then select Command Prompt (Admin). Type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" (without quotes or copy/paste) and press Enter. Reboot After.

Note : SFC fixes files locally using files found on your system. Note : DISM goes up to Microsoft for new ones.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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sciencemagic

Is you hard drive large enough? IOW, how much Free Space does Disc Defrag see? WIn7 15% in considered the minimum to even run Defrag. IMO, with anything less than 30% the Defrag routine might take 12 hours or more, depending upon when it was last done. Defrag applications will do better at Defrag a too small disc, but they are no solution for needing more storage space.

And yes, Windows updates can cause issues but its not like with WinXP or W2K where a user could "cherry pick" which individual Windows updates to install manually weeks after reading about which updates to avoid and not to "pick" for installation. Now-a-days there are so many more updates due to Microsoft taking security more seriously that I have yet to see an individual listing at Microsoft that allows the user to pick and choose what they "want". And in the Windows Control Panel there isn't a long enough list to select one for removal; more like "dated packages" that don't allow for picking out one "fix" from the package. Of course you can avoid that situation by updating Windows as each new version is released - as long as your hardware can handle it. You are 4 versions behind the curve. Windows 10 will have fewer updates installed than Win7 has accumulated since it was released 8 years ago.

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Hi edmeister, I don't know about free space concerning degree, but my C drive shows 76 % free space while my HP recovery shows 12.5% free. My disk is defragged automatically and seems to be OK. I understand your comment about my operating system, Windows 7. But, it is what it is. I just know, that after my computer was professionally "rebuilt" it worked well and now it is running slower just about 8 mo. later. I have avoided added any programs to my system too. Microsoft suggested doing a clean reboot of Windows. Do you have any comments about that procedure, edmeister? Thank you.

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Pkshadow, I have tried doing the SFC procedure before, to no avail when trying to improve my system. So, at this point I'm not inclined to try it again. At least for now. As I mentioned to edmeister, Microsoft suggests doing a clean reboot of Windows. What do you think?

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sciencemagic said

I realize this probably isn't a Firefox issue but I need a second opinion on the subject. My computer keeps getting slower and slower. I had the machine rebuilt last March and everything worked fine. But as time goes by the machine just keeps getting slower. I was told by several sources, all the Windows and Microsoft updates are the cause. Is it possible someone here at Firefox has an opinion on the subject? Are in fact all the Windows update's causing my computer to run more slowly? I would appreciate any input. Thank you.

This would be more subjective then a real analysis of the problem. I got Windows10x64 Pro FCU 1709 16G MSI GTX1060 6G and have no problem running FF57.0.2x64 with slowdowns. Prior to this-I did a clean install removing all previous FF then installed FF57x64 version based on my O/S version which was x64 and ran FF57 and then closed and went back and deleted previous x86 FF. I don't see any slow down on my side running FF57.0.2x64 even watching yutubbers at fullscreen.

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WestEnd, thank you for your input. But, how would I make sure what version of Firefox I have. And, how would I install 57X64 if it isn't already installed? Also, how can I uninstall all previous versions? Thank you.

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(Westend note another) You most likely have x64 do to everyone being automatically switched if have a x64 Operating System. Go to which ever Menu you use and then Help --> About . This will tell you what version of Firefox would hope 57.0.2 https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-version and if it is x32 or x 64 as per my previous post.

Could you explain "SFC to no avail". As if nothing found does not fix, if something found fixes or if mistype will get error.

From the Start Menu Find the Dos Command Prompt and Right Click, Run as Administrator. Copy/Paste this into it SFC /RUNNOW = SFC <space> /runnow

As for defraging. If look at MS stuff anything more than 3% fragmented should defrag for a fast machine.

Find Microsoft Disk Cleanup in the Start Menu and pin it/move it so can get to it and run it weekly. When run it, do it once then open it again and Click Cleanup System Files Button. This should be done after Microsoft updates and just because and before defragging.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Pkshadow, thanks for the reply. I do have the latest version of FF. As for the defrag issue, my computer is defraged automatically I believe once a week, so I don't see ow that is a issue? I also clean my disk drive, sort of regularly. So, I would be suspicious that is a problem. About the SFC scenario, "From the Start Menu Find the Dos Command Prompt and Right Click, Run as Administrator. Copy/Paste this into it SFC /RUNNOW = SFC <space> /runnow" I did that procedure some time back, and it did nothing to improve the speed of my computer. I also recently did a "clean reboot" which did not help either. I gave the disk free space available as 76% free. Does that imply I have plenty of disk space? Are you recommending nonetheless I try the SFC RUNNOW procedure again? Just sort of think in the last few months my computer is getting bogged down in all the Windows updates I am getting? Not sure, but I do know computer is certainly slower than before.

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SFC does nothing more than repair registry issues with existing files on your computer.

DISM will bring in new files and overwrite existing files as they maybe corrupted.

No I do not. Other than suggest https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/ as this sorta stuff can cause slowness.

You can resize your Trash Can to something less ridiculous as it takes ram as well as space.

You can turn off System Restore if everything is in order and reboot then turn it back on and make a restore point.

can if have the hard drive space increase Virtual Memory https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/15055/windows-7-optimize-windows-better-performance (it is the greyed out numbers that you put in both places)

If this is a DELL or something dump all the programs it or who ever installed. They are not needed and most are probably running in Task Manager Services.

https://www.pcmag.com/feature/251692/12-tips-to-speed-up-windows-7/12

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

Modified by Shadow110

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Pkshadow, thanks for the reply. I really don't have many programs running in the back ground that I am aware of, and I try and keep things to a minimum in the task bar. I understand your comments about the SFC issue. So, I will ignore it. How do I resize my trash can? As far as increasing virtual memory, I did change it as per the instructions. For the minimum, I used what my system had or what is recommended, 5565 and then used 3 times that for the maximum, again what was recommended, 16500. Does that sound correct, or did I do something wrong? Thanks.

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Just a note, as there is some inaccurate information above. Windows updates will not slow down your computer. Diagnosing your slow computer is not something we can help with, I'd suggest the bleeping computer forums, https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/