Computer Help and Support

IcyPeas

(23,120 posts) Tue Mar 2, 2021, 04:04 PM Mar 2021

a VPN trial I was trying was slowing my computer down....

even after the month trial ended and I got an email from them confirming that it had ended. I didn't put 2+2 together until this morning so I uninstalled it and now I am back to normal.

Just a lesson or a heads up for others like me.

I'm not an expert so I don't understand why something that is not even in use anymore would slow down your computer (even going back and forth here in DU was slow (and annoying)).

It was Express VPN by the way.

YMMV

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3 replies

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a VPN trial I was trying was slowing my computer down.... (Original Post) IcyPeas Mar 2021 OP

It could still have been doing some searching for VPN with them even though the trial was over. RKP5637 Mar 2021 #1

I had to replace my 8 year old desktop when it crashed in early January. I had my local c-rational Mar 2021 #2

It was probably still running. TwilightZone Mar 2021 #3

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

1. It could still have been doing some searching for VPN with them even though the trial was over.

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Tue Mar 2, 2021, 04:15 PM

Mar 2021

Also, it could be because of the way they implemented VPN on your PC. I'm not familiar with Express VPN implementation, so just giving a guessing answer.

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c-rational

(2,902 posts)

2. I had to replace my 8 year old desktop when it crashed in early January. I had my local

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Tue Mar 2, 2021, 04:20 PM

Mar 2021

computer guru Carlos help me with the new setup. He explained that the VPN's work by making it seem like your computer is elsewhere, and this slows the process down. I am glad I did not add this feature as part of my browser protection.

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TwilightZone

(28,835 posts)

3. It was probably still running.

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Tue Mar 2, 2021, 05:03 PM

Mar 2021

Quite likely, since uninstalling it reverted it to normal.

VPNs do slow down connections, particularly faster ones. From what I've read, Express VPN can only use roughly 1/8 of a gigabit connection, so it's going to be substantially slower in that instance.

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