Lesson 1
Identifying Resource Hogs
Use system diagnostic tools to find and stop applications slowing down your performance.
Managing Processes
Your computer slows down when the CPU or RAM is overwhelmed by background tasks. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (Windows) or Cmd+Space and type 'Activity Monitor' (Mac) to view currently running processes. Sort by 'CPU' or 'Memory' usage. If an app you are not actively using is consuming more than 20% of your resources, select it and end the process. Common culprits include browser tabs, cloud sync services, and background update tools. Close these applications to see an immediate change in responsiveness. If your computer is consistently sluggish, check how many tabs you have open in your browser; each tab acts as a separate application, drawing significant memory. Aim to keep fewer than 10 active tabs at once. If your RAM is low, you will feel the machine struggle to switch between programs. Regularly reviewing these processes is the first step toward reclaiming your system's power.