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Computer Performance

 

macOS


macOS is Apple’s operating system for all Mac devices. For more information about macOS visit the macOS Apple Page.

 

About This Mac

  • This dialog shows you basic information about the manufacture date and hardware of your Mac.
  • Click the Apple icon at the top left of the screen on the menu bar.
  • Click About This Mac.
  • The dialog window with basic system information will pop up.

 

  •  Click the System Report button for more detailed information for the advanced user.

 

Activity Monitor

  • Similar to Task Manager for PC, Activity Monitor displays every program running on your Mac. You can manage these running programs and identify how they are affecting your Mac’s performance.
  • For more information visit Activity Monitor Support.

 

Uninstall Unnecessary Applications
  • One simple way to clear disk space and keep your computer running smoothly is to uninstall applications you don’t need or aren’t using.
  • NOTE: Make sure you know what the application function is before you delete it, some applications are key to keeping your computer functioning properly.
  • Find the list of applications: Open Finder → Applications (left side panel)
  • How to Uninstall Applications on Mac

 

Windows


Windows is Microsoft’s operating system for PCs. For more information about Windows visit the Microsoft Windows Page.

 

System Information

  • Windows also has a basic system information dialog, similar to About This Mac (OS Version, Processor, Memory, 32/64bit info)
  • Right click the This PC Icon on your Desktop and Click Properties.
    • If it isn't there, search "This PC" in the Search Box on your Taskbar.
    • On Windows 8 this program is called Computer, and on Windows 7, it's My Computer.
  • This system information dialog should pop up

  • For more detailed and advanced info, download a third-party system info utility program like CPU-Z.
 

Task Manager

  • Similar to Activity Monitor for Mac, Task Manager displays every program running on your computer. You can manage these open programs and identify how they are affecting your computer’s performance.
  • You can access the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete (press all three keys at once). Once the screen changes color and a menu pops up, click Task Manager.
  • For more information visit About Task Manager.

 

Resource Monitor

  • The Resource (and Performance) Monitor in Windows allows the user to monitor CPU and memory usage, and disk and network activity in real time. It’s a great resource if your computer or your software is running slow and you’d like to see what program is causing the slowdown.
  • You can access the Resource Monitor by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete (press all three keys at once). Once the screen changes color and a menu pops up, click Task Manager. The Resource Monitor is a tab, Performance, within the Task Manager window.

 

 

  • There is a more detailed Resource Monitor within the Performance tab. At the bottom of the dialog window, there is a button Open Resource Monitor, with a speedometer icon. Click on this for a resource monitor where you can find details on which programs are eating up resources.
  • For more information visit PC World Resource Monitor.

 

Event Viewer

  • Log files such as security changes, administrative files, application files, etc. are all compiled for viewing in the Event Viewer. It can be very helpful in locating a source of a problem if your computer starts to have issues.
  • For more information visit How to Use Event Viewer.
  • To use Event Viewer to detect problems in your PC visit Microsoft Support - Event Viewer.

 

Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

  • One simple way to clear disk space and keep your computer running smoothly is to uninstall applications you don’t need/use.
  • NOTE: Make sure you know what the application function is before you delete it, some applications are key to keeping your computer functioning properly.
  • Find the list of applications by following these instructions.
  • How to Uninstall Windows Applications

Also, check out this KB Post for some more tips.

 

3rd Party Tools


See the list of 3rd party tools below, or visit these websites: