• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • Product ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
Techwalla
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Productivity
  4. Why Does McAfee Slow Down a Computer?

Why Does McAfee Slow Down a Computer?

March 31, 2015
By: Dustin Covert
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

McAfee antivirus software has been known to slow down some users' computers. In order for the applications to properly protect you from malicious software and other attacks, certain system resources must be used to ensure that protection is active and complete.

Video of the Day

Businesswoman using laptop computer
credit: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Automatic Scanning

McAfee might be slowing down your computer because you have automatic scanning enabled. Scanning the computer for infections while you are trying to do other tasks could be too much for your system if you don't have enough memory or you have a slow processor.

Active Protection

Some antivirus/anti-malware programs offers an option to scan the computer only. McAfee, on the other hand, has options for active protection against threats. This means that the application starts up one or more processes to scan or shield the computer. Generally speaking, the more processes a computer is running, the slower it will be.

Full Scan

As of 2010, hard drive technology simply can't allow a full scan to take only a few seconds. Individually checking each file on the disk for infection takes time, and the older/slower your hard drive, the longer it will take. A full scan is also the most resource-intensive task that McAfee can do, so expect other applications to run more slowly.

Automatic Updates

If your McAfee software is set up to automatically update, you may notice this slowing down your computer or Internet connection. Your connection may be especially slow if you are using a dial-up connection.

Slow Computer

Perhaps your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements for McAfee software. Check the McAfee website for information regarding the minimum system requirements for each of their products: http://home.mcafee.com.

Multiple Programs

If you have multiple security programs installed on the same system, you may run into problems. This is a result of the applications not trusting each other and fighting for permissions. In general, have only one antivirus program installed at a time.

Show Comments

Related Articles

Why Does My New Computer Run Very Slow?

Why Does My New Computer Run Very Slow?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Contributing Writer
How to Make iTunes Songs Download Faster

How to Make iTunes Songs Download Faster

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: Anne Hirsh
Disadvantages of Norton

Disadvantages of Norton

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Spencer Hendricks
The Average Lifespan of a Desktop PC

The Average Lifespan of a Desktop PC

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Ashley Poland
What Is Scriptproxy for McAfee?

What Is Scriptproxy for McAfee?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Andrew Aarons
What Is McAfee ePO Agent?

What Is McAfee ePO Agent?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Connie s Owens
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2018 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.