AVG Antivirus is a reliable security tool that helps protect your system from various threats like viruses, malware, and ransomware. However, like any software running in the background, AVG can sometimes cause your computer to slow down, especially during scans or updates. If you’re noticing lag or sluggish performance, don’t worry—there are several ways to boost your system’s speed while still keeping AVG’s protection active. Here are some tips to speed up your computer while using AVG.
Optimize Startup Programs
When your computer starts up, it automatically launches a variety of programs, including AVG. Too many programs launching at startup can slow down your system. Fortunately, you can disable non-essential startup applications without affecting your computer’s performance.
To manage startup programs:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Navigate to the Startup tab.
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Find AVG and any other unnecessary programs.
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Right-click on them and select Disable.
This way, AVG won’t be the first program to launch, allowing your system to start faster.
Schedule AVG Scans for Off-Peak Hours
AVG performs automatic scans to protect your computer from viruses and malware. While these scans are essential, running them during peak computer usage hours can cause delays. To avoid this, schedule your scans to run during times when you’re not using your computer.
To schedule AVG scans:
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Open AVG and go to Settings.
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Click on Scan.
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Select Schedule Scan and choose a time when you’re less likely to be using your computer, such as late at night or early in the morning.
Scheduling scans during off-peak hours ensures that AVG doesn’t interrupt your work or gaming sessions.
Use AVG’s Gaming Mode
AVG has a feature called Gaming Mode that minimizes background activities while you’re using your computer. This mode ensures that AVG doesn’t interrupt your gameplay, streaming, or work with unnecessary alerts and notifications.
To enable Gaming Mode:
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Open AVG and go to Settings.
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Click on General and find Gaming Mode.
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Turn it on to temporarily reduce resource usage during your active sessions.
Enable the AVG TuneUp Tool
AVG includes a TuneUp feature that helps improve your system’s performance by cleaning junk files, managing startup programs, and optimizing settings. Regularly running the TuneUp tool will ensure that your computer stays in top shape.
To use TuneUp:
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Open AVG and go to Menu.
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Select Performance and click on TuneUp.
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Run a scan to clean unnecessary files and optimize your computer.
This tool can help speed up your computer by removing clutter and improving system efficiency.
Turn Off Automatic Updates for Non-Essential Features
While it’s important to keep your antivirus software up to date, automatic updates can sometimes slow down your system if they’re happening too often or at the wrong time. You can adjust AVG’s settings to update less frequently or only when you allow it.
To manage update settings:
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Open AVG and go to Settings.
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Click on Update.
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Choose a manual update schedule or set a less frequent update time.
This will prevent AVG from using system resources for updates during critical times.
Check for Malware with AVG’s Full Scan
If your computer is running slowly despite AVG’s protection, there might be malware hiding on your system. Malware can significantly impact your system’s performance. Use AVG’s full system scan to detect and remove any hidden threats.
To run a full scan:
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Open AVG and go to Menu.
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Click on Scan Computer and select Full Scan.
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Let the scan complete and follow AVG’s recommendations.
Running a full scan periodically ensures that no hidden threats are causing slowdowns.
Limit Background Scanning and Shields
AVG provides real-time protection with its shields and scanning features. However, these can take up system resources if you don’t need them running constantly. You can adjust the settings to reduce the number of active shields or scanning features.
To adjust shields and scanning:
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Open AVG and go to Settings.
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Under Protection, click on Core Shields.
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Disable any unnecessary shields, such as Email Shield or Web Shield, if you don’t need them all the time.
Disabling certain shields can help free up resources, improving your computer’s speed.
Consider Upgrading Your Hardware
While software optimization is important, upgrading your computer’s hardware can also make a huge difference in performance. Consider upgrading your hard drive to an SSD (Solid State Drive) and increasing the amount of RAM to improve overall system speed, especially during resource-intensive tasks like scanning or gaming.
Conclusion
AVG is a powerful tool that keeps your computer secure, but like any software, it can impact performance if not optimized. By following these tips, such as managing startup programs, scheduling scans for off-peak hours, enabling Gaming Mode, and using AVG’s TuneUp tools, you can improve your computer’s speed without sacrificing security. Regular maintenance and thoughtful settings adjustments will ensure your computer runs smoothly while AVG continues to protect you from online threats.
