Windows 7 is running slow on my friend's PC. Any good alternative?

fatslob-:O

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fatslob-:O on 08 May 2016

Can you tell us if it's the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7 ? Microsoft also lists out a DirectX 9 graphics device as one of the requirements for Windows 7 but I'm not sure what to make of it ...

If your friend has the 32-bit version then he's out of luck as that is one of the OS's with easier requirements ...

Either he switches back to XP (he could try Vista) or go with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS since it meets his PC specs ...

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jason1637 on 08 May 2016

Windows 10 is still free.

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1337 Gamer on 08 May 2016

I'd go find a used core 2 duo system. I find them all the time for less than $150-$200 for a tower. That would be the best solution. A pentium 4 is worthless now and switching to Linux won't help too much in all honesty. Web pages are getting more and more complex and an old system like that is not going to cut it.

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Leadified on 08 May 2016

Linux is probably your best bet. Since it's a pretty low spec machine I'd go for a light-weight distro like Lubuntu.

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Azhraell on 08 May 2016

That's weird, I have an even worse pc with windows 10 but ram is 2gb and works fine. I remember it was slow some time ago and I was able to fix it updating all graphical drivers. or could he use XP? Linux? idk xD

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Ultrashroomz on 08 May 2016

I'd say his best bet is Ubuntu/Linux.

W10 is definitely not recommended.

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Player2 on 08 May 2016

Find out which motherboard your friend has, search its page on the manufacturer's web and see which are your options regarding CPUs and RAM.

If it has an LGA 775 CPU socket it's very likely that it can be upgraded to a Core Duo/Quad or Pentium Dual Core (be careful with the FSB and TDP).

If it accepted 1.5GBs of RAM and it seems to have multiple slots, I guess it can accept 2GB or even more? All the memory sticks in use have the same specs (all are DDR 2/3/whatever and have the same speed)?

EDIT - Disable Aero in Windows 7, it eats plenty of resources.

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fatslob-:O on 08 May 2016

Hiku said:

It's the 32-bit version of Win 7, and I believe it is a 32-bit CPU. Not sure.

Can't go back to XP because Microsoft no longer supports it with system updates, so it's infested with viruses and malware.
I'll check out Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. Thanks.

Common sense is the best form of antivirus, doing something stupid will get you viruses and malware even if you get Windows updates to patch up exploits ...

Most people in developed countries use Windows 7 or above so unless you visit some sites located in developing countries like China your friend doesn't have anything to worry about when sooner or later Windows XP will get the fabled level of security that Macs do since hardly anyone will target it ...

Sidenote: The Pentium 4 is a 64-bit CPU ...