A powerful antivirus is essential for security, but it shouldn't bring your computer to a crawl. If you've noticed your PC has become sluggish since installing Norton, don't worry. There are several settings you can tweak to find the perfect balance between protection and performance. Here’s how to optimize Norton.
Tip 1: Schedule Scans for Idle Times
A full system scan can be resource-intensive. Instead of letting it run while you're in the middle of important work, schedule it for a time when you're away from your computer.
- Open your Norton device security product.
- Go to Settings > Antivirus > Scans and Risks.
- Find the "Full System Scan" and click "Configure".
- You can set the scan to run only when your system is idle, or schedule it for a specific time, like overnight.
Tip 2: Exclude Trusted Files and Folders
Warning: Only do this if you are 100% certain a file or folder is safe. Excluding the wrong item can put your system at risk.
If you have large folders that you know are safe (like a backup drive or a folder with personal videos), you can exclude them from real-time scans to reduce system load.
- In Norton settings, go to the Antivirus section.
- Find "Items to Exclude from Scans" and "Items to Exclude from Auto-Protect" and configure them by adding the specific folders you want to skip.
Tip 3: Utilize Norton's Built-in Tune-Up Tools
Modern Norton products come with performance optimization tools. Make use of them!
- Open Norton and look for the Performance tab.
- File Cleanup: This tool removes temporary files from your browser and system that can slow things down.
- Startup Manager: This allows you to delay or disable unnecessary programs from starting up with Windows, which can significantly improve boot times.
When It's Not Norton's Fault
If you've tried all these tips and your computer is still slow, the problem might not be Norton. The issue could be insufficient RAM, a failing hard drive, malware that Norton missed, or conflicts with other software.
Our technicians can perform a full system health check and tune-up to identify the true cause of the slowdown. Call us now at (833) 783-2943 for a comprehensive performance diagnosis.
Disclaimer: We are an independent third-party service provider. We are not affiliated with Norton. For official support, please visit the brand's website.