A user reports that their computer is consistently performing slowly, especially when multiple applications are opened. After conducting a one-time initial assessment, you determine the computer has an adequate processor and sufficient memory. Upon checking the startup programs, you find nothing out of the ordinary that could cause the issue. You've also ruled out malware as a cause. What is the most appropriate next step?
Escalate immediately to a higher-tier support without conducting any further analysis.
Remove all non-essential applications to free up system resources.
Reinstall the operating system to refresh the computer's environment completely.
Add more memory to the computer, as slow performance is often a sign of insufficient RAM.
Monitor the system resource usage over time to identify any processes that take up an excessive amount of CPU or memory.