Question Slow,...very slow computer,...Windows 11 + etc

[garyhope]

My cousin is a very angry and unhappy computer user.
Her Dell Inspiron 3670 with an Intel i7, 8 gigs of RAM and a 1 TB hard drive I think.
Her computer is running very, VERY slowly and she is raging mad, angry and P. O'd about it.
I could be wrong, but I think it's software and data clutter. I think that she has about 66 or 70 icons for programs or data on her opening screen or desktop.
I don't think that her computer has been hacked or is being used by somebody else sneaking into it and using it but I don't know.

I think it's mostly software and data clutter that's slowing it down, but I'm no expert.

With the low prices for RAM and SSd's these days that would be an affordable upgrade,...but I don't think that would solve the problem. I think that she has a massive amount of crap on her computer using up it's resources and slowing everything WAY WAY DOWN.

Any thoughts, opinions or expert advice greatly appreciated. I'm tired of listening to her scream at and about her computer. I think it's software, too much info and crap on her computer.

Thank you all.

 

[Lafong]

Would it be a lost cause to have her declutter it?

Would it be a lost cause for you to declutter it for her because it would be re-cluttered in short order?

Is she generally disinclined toward maintenance?

SSDs are advantageous, but both of you may be disappointed in their ability to overcome bad habits.

Did this slowdown happen "all of a suddenly" or more gradually over weeks and months? If the former, it may be hardware failure. Have you tested RAM and hard drive?