I got my laptop last August, it didn't take long before it started slowing down, I was only using it for schoolwork, occasional web browsing, and playing the Sims. It hasn't been used in a few months due to a broken adaptor, and I just picked up a new adaptor today, currently it is plugged in and charging up! I admit I never got any sort of antivirus after whatever was on it ran out after a month, not sure if that contributed to the slowness, no obvious signs of a virus. I picked up AVG for it, so my question is are there any ways I can "clean up" my laptop to make it faster again? When I finally put the antivirus on there again will that help speed it up?

I just feel as though it shouldn't have gotten slow so quickly, and while the slowness is annoying I don't want to pay the crazy price of getting it all fixed up and "cleaned" professionally, I'd rather just deal with it. Lol