Problem with w7 freeze ups

For some reason my w7 ie8 has started freezing up after I log on and my homepage comes up on screen and I try to get onto another site. After a good while it does switch onto the site but it starts freezing up again when I click on to another site. I'm on dialup which is slow but it has never done this before and has gotten slower on responding to commands lately.
I haven't to my knowledge done anything different to cause this that I am aware of. I'm not too computer savvy so any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Does this happen with Chrome or Firefox too?

I would not be running IE8 which is extremely out of date and insecure. It should not be expected to work correctly or protect the user from modern infection.

I would immediately upgrade to the latest supported browser. It's best to do this through Windows Updates to get all of the required security and performance updates as well.

I don't remember how add-ons were handled in IE 8 which is from the XP era, but many browser problems are caused by spyware adware and fake search services lodging in the add-ons. Remove in the control panel and browser add-ons, then run Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner.

GokAy said:

Does this happen with Chrome or Firefox too?

GokAy. I don't have Chrome, Firefox is very slow too but didn't seem to freeze up. I very seldom use Firefox. Thanks

gregrocker said:

I would not be running IE8 which is extremely out of date and insecure. It should not be expected to work correctly or protect the user from modern infection.

I would immediately upgrade to the latest supported browser. It's best to do this through Windows Updates to get all of the required security and performance updates as well.

I don't remember how add-ons were handled in IE 8 which is from the XP era, but many browser problems are caused by spyware adware and fake search services lodging in the add-ons. Remove in the control panel and browser add-ons, then run Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner.

"It's best to do this through Windows Updates to get all of the required security and performance updates as well".

How do I go through Windows Updates. (may be a dumb question) but I've never updatd IE before. Thanks.

Type Windows Update in Start search box, open Windows Update, in settings set to automatic. Then check for Updates, Install all Important and Optional updates. After requested restarts keep checking back for more updates until no more are offered.

If problems persist after updating then establish a Clean Boot, Scan for infection, run SFC, then if necessary work through the rest of the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7