Anti-Virus Seriously Slowed Down Windows 7
Nowadays, about all computer owners would deploy an anti-virus suite for protection against numerous threads from around the Web. There are various choices available on market, all roughly growing bigger as version number piling up.
Having an anti-virus suite is never more needed for now, but the it’s seriously slowing down the speed of the OS it runs upon.
Take my experience as example.
My desktop is an Intel Core 2 Quad powered, Q6600 for sure, workstation with 8 GB Memory and two HDDs, one 1TB, one 640GB. Very fast actually with no anti-virus software functioning, but a lot laggy when installed with an anti-virus.
And the same problem for my laptops, just more obvious.
I guess you might be experiencing the very same.
I chose Norton Internet Security for the light footprint it has and the more responsive performance it provides, but still it is lagging my system, the shiny brand new Windows 7 Ultimate.
With Norton file antivirus checking disabled, Windows 7 just powered up to fully function within less than 30 seconds. When Norton file checking is turned on, I’ll have to wait 15 more seconds at least.
Having tested with another popular anti-virus, Kaspersky Internet Security, I’d have to wait even more time, more than 20 seconds at least.
Even with Microsoft’s newly released free antivirus Security Essentials, it’ll still add 10 seconds to the startup of Windows 7.
I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews about the new Windows, and some complaints that Windows 7 is still somewhat slow. After reviewing their computer, I found that not only too many program installed as automatic starting up with Windows, there are also slow antivirus that is dragging the speed of OS.
With all these programs’ automatic startup unchecked, the speed of Windows 7 returned to normal, within 30 seconds since pressing the power button.
I’d say Microsoft had made one good OS, which will be testified and proved in the long days to come. I can foresee the days people refusing to replace their Windows 7 with say Windows 9 etc. However, for the industry today, it’s not making a good OS that is enough.
The world of Windows consists not only Microsoft, they need all the software vendors’ and even hardware vendors’ adequate support. Whoever falls short of making a good enough application or driver would result in serious damage, which certain blunt end users would blame all on Microsoft, poor boy.
Well, don’t blame every fault on Microsoft. They had been doing great.
Using antivirus is necessary for now as we know, we’d better be clear about the fact it will make our Windows a bit more laggy.
For now, SSD as HDD is the only perfect solution. SSD has the numerous benefits that antivirus is desiring for. Before that price tag on it was significantly lowered, let’s prepare ourselves to endure the laggy Windows thanks to these antivirus, or like me, use no antivirus sometimes, or purchase a Mac, but viruses writers are shifting attentions on that platform…
Guys, reason it before you shout out.
This post has 7 comments
November 26th, 2009
I dislike Norton very much, didnt found all virus or could remove them easy and slow.
Try AntiVir http://www.free-av.com/, don’t notice it, or any slow downs, 16 seconds its booted (must say I have a SSD..) But also used AntiVir with normal HD and I never noticed the program whatsover related to a slower speed of windows.
December 3rd, 2009
Dear Author uneit.com !
I apologise, but, in my opinion, you commit an error. I can prove it.
December 6th, 2009
Hi denipile,
Thank you for you comment:)
May I know more about the error you’d pointed out?
January 1st, 2010
I mostly prefer to use kaspersky.It does not slowdown my pc to a vry large extent.However ididnt use it on windows 7.
January 2nd, 2010
Hi,
@denipile
Yes, I would too like to hear more about the error.
@Silver (& shashank)
KIS is well known to be one of the “heaviest” ISS, so you need a powerful machine and it does slow start up down – I can’t see why it should be any different with Win7.
January 8th, 2010
I have tested both NIS and KIS on my computer(win 7 rc) and too tell you the truth they both are resource hogs,Firstly I ran Norton along side comodo firewall, I diasbled norton firewall and I could not get internet connection, secondly on restarting my laptop boot time lagged as well as opening folders, the same happened with KIS but worst, I tried F-secure av and my computer went back to normal, It was to my surprise light on resource although I saw it use about ten processes in task manger,The same goes for eset nod34 v4 light on resource as well The only problem it shows are on start up scan in which the computer is almost at a halt after that computer is back to normal.Tested online armor premium alongside asquare antimalware and nod32 and they together were light on resource.The only time my computer has become slow is while using NIS and KIS( always heard good things of this but for the love of me I can keep it on my computer for a day).
January 10th, 2010
Try ESET NOD32. Base on experience, it is very light on resources. I use a netbook with 2gb ram, 1.66 ghz Atom CPU. The increase in waiting time is less than 5 seconds.
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