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    • Why Is My Mac So Slow? | How to Speed Up Mac

    Why is My Mac So Slow? Learn All About It

    Your Mac computer has many advantages over Windows OS. It indeed has better security features and enhanced user-friendly features. But, with all of that in mind, it can still face some issues, especially after being used for a while. The most common question users ask about their Macbooks is why is my Mac so slow? In this post, we will aim to answer this question.  We will share some common reasons why your macbook seems slow and how to speed up the Macbook.

    Reasons Why Your Mac is Running Slow

    The next time you ask yourself why is my laptop running slow, one of these points below can be the reason behind it.

    Too Many Processes in Background

    Before you ask yourself why my Mac is so slow, check whether you have too many programs or processes running in the background. Whether you are using iMac or MacBook Pro, your device can fail to inform you when a program is running in the background, eating up its resources.

    Outdated Apps and OS

    If there are many apps installed on your computer that are outdated and need to be updated, it can cause the Mac to run slower than usual. The same goes for the operating system. If the OS has pending updates, it can also hamper the device’s performance.

    Demands of Visual Effects

    When Mac was first launched, it offered heavy visual effects to attract users. Even though, over the years, it has gone easy on them, most Mac devices still have graphics and visual effects that put a lot of demand on the processor. It is also a contributing factor to the computer running slowly.

    Malware Attack

    As unlikely as it seems, Macs do get malware and viruses. I know it is a shocking thing to read. But as secure as Mac devices are, the viruses and malware have gotten pretty advanced. A malware infection makes MacBooks very sluggish to use.

    How to Make My Mac Run Faster?

    Now that you know some of the reasons why my Mac is so slow, let’s look at how to speed up a macbook. The tips we will share are suitable for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, and Mac Studio.

    Clean the System Files

    If your system has a lot of temporary or junk files, it will impact its speed and performance. So, it’s best to delete such files to speed up your Mac periodically. You can do this manually or use one of the many available tools to clean up junk files automatically. Once these files are deleted, you should see an increase in the MacBook’s speed.

    Manage Startup Programs

    The startup programs start automatically when the computer is powered on. They can cause delays for the computer to boot up. Disabling these programs after identifying them is what can help you. Here is how to do it:

    • Open Apple Menu and then go to System Preferences.
    • Then, go into Users & Groups.
    • Now, click on Login Items. Whichever programs you do not need to start up automatically, you simply select them and click the Minus icon.
    • There can be other hidden startup items that you can

    To locate any other hidden startup programs, you should first click on the “Go” option in the macOS menu bar. Then, simultaneously hold your Options button on your keyboard. This will allow you to open your Library folder. 

    Once you’re there, you can look for the LaunchDaemons and LaunchAgents sections. They contain components of installed programs that are designed to start automatically. If you’re sure that one or more of these elements are unneeded, you can dispose of them by dropping them into the Trash.

    Kill Demanding Processes

    If your Mac is experiencing slowdowns or is excessively hot, a running process may be at fault. A demanding process may have caused the issue. You can use these tips to determine and end any of these processes and improve the performance of your Mac:

    • First, press "Go" in the macOS menu bar. Then, select "Utilities" and choose "Activity Monitor."
    • When you have the Activity Monitor open, click on the "CPU" tab at the top and sort the running programs by "% CPU" to determine which applications use the most computer resources. The processes that consume the highest CPU usage will likely make your Mac slow.
    • It's crucial to remember that you should be careful not to end any of the system-related processes like WindowServer kernel_task, second, and Sysmond. Instead, concentrate on the programs you've installed, and mark your username in the "User" "User" column.
    • Examine your list of processes and search for those using more than 5%-10 percent of your CPU. If you're sure that a program is slowing your system, choose it, then hit the "X" button. After that, select "Quit" or "Force Quit" to end the process.
    • In addition, you can switch to other tabs in Activity Monitor to look for processes that may be causing problems regarding memory use and battery time, disk usage, or connectivity to the network. For instance, in"Energy," under the "Energy" tab, you can sort the processes by "12 hr Power" to find the list of those apps to check which have the most trouble draining your battery in the last 12 hours.

    Update Your Mac OS

    In the past, new versions of macOS could cause older Macs to become slower. But, with the most recent versions, Apple has shifted its emphasis to enhancing Mac performance by eliminating features. This can bring speedier performance on iMacs, MacBooks, Mac Minis, and Mac Pros. It’s essential to ensure your operating system is current by setting up automatic updates.

    To accelerate your Mac and ensure updates to keep your Mac running faster, follow these steps:

    • Go to the Apple menu, then select "System Preferences" and then "Software Update."
    • It would be best if you waited until your Mac scans for updates.
    • When an update is available, simply click "Update Now." This may take a while. However, it can dramatically enhance your Mac's performance.
    • Ensure you have the "Automatically keep my Mac up to date" box checked to ensure your Mac is continuously running the most recent software.

    Conclusion

    With these tips, we are sure you know how to make Mac faster. If you have followed all these steps and your Mac is running slow, then it’s time to call the pros. They will guide you on what else you need to do to speed up your Mac, as well as perform various checks themselves to help you out.