Windows 10 Running Slow? How to Speed Up Slow PC

“My Windows 10 PC is suddenly running extremely slow. From launching an application (Outlook, Chrome, etc.) to right-clicking….it’s just very slow. It was fine before Monday. Nothing was installed and prior to then, everything I did was routine. This very weird. Please suggest what I can do to fix the issue. Thanks!”

Recently, many Windows users have reported Windows 10 slow performance issue in Microsoft forums. It is really frustrating to work with a slow desktop or PC. If you’re experiencing the same issue, this tutorial is right for you. In this article, we’ll reveal 9 simple tips you can try to speed up a slow laptop or PC running Windows 10. Browsing through the list and find the one that works for you.

Why Is Windows 10 Running So Slow

Windows 10 was highly heralded at the time of its launch for good reasons. We all expected it to be better than Windows 8 or 7, which left a lot to be desired. And Windows 10 really delivered on those expectations. However, despite all its superior functions over previous Windows versions, Windows 10 has its flaws. And slow performance is one of such issues that have got users irritated.

But why is this happening? Here are some possible reasons:

• Lots of startup programs will cause your Windows 10 PC taking a long time to start up and even freezing up during boot.
• Windows system files are corrupted and your laptop will experience drive errors, blue or black screens.
• If you are using multiple programs at the same time, then these applications may take a long time to start or load.
• Extremely active antivirus software will make your Windows 10 PC slow down.
• Low memory space on your Windows hard drive will cause your system to run slowly or even improperly.
• If you are running a lot of applications or browsers at the same time, your laptop or PC’s battery will not perform well.

Now that you have a good sense of what the cause of your slow Windows 10 PC is. Let’s take a look at the simple tips provided below to fix Windows 10 slow performance.

Tip 1. Restart Your Computer

Before jumping into drastic measures to fix a slow computer running on Windows 10, the first thing you should consider is restarting your computer. When lots of programs, apps, browsers etc. are running at the same time on your computer, it can slow down the PC. If that is the issue, the solution is simple, close all the programs, browser, apps and any other stuff you are running, then restart your computer.

Follow the steps below to restart your computer:

1. Click on the Start button and then select Power > Restart.
2. When your computer restarts, open the apps you need only.

After you’ve done this and your Windows 10 computer is still running slow, continue to the next possible solutions below.

Tip 2. Disable Startup Programs

By default, some programs are designed to start automatically and keep running in the background without your knowing whenever you start computer. You can check the program icons in the notification area on the far right of the taskbar, and find the programs that start automatically and cause your Windows 10 PC running slow. Please ensure you select “Show hidden icons” to reveal all programs.

Here’s how to find all the programs that start automatically, and stop those you don’t want to start automatically：

1. Click on the Start button and then select Settings > Apps > Startup in Windows 10 version 1083 or higher.
2. If you are running Windows 10 version 1709 or earlier, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager > Startup.
3. Now locate the program you want to stop from starting automatically in the Startup Apps screen, and click on Off or Disable.

In some cases, you’ll still discover some programs start automatically even after you’ve implemented the above steps. Then we suggest you to scan your computer for viruses and malware.

Tip 3. Check Computer for Malware or Viruses

Remember, we mentioned earlier that malware and viruses could make your Windows 10 running slowly. In addition to this issue, they can also lead to unwanted programs to start automatically, annoying pop-up messages, or constantly sound of your hard disk. The best route to dealing with malware, viruses and other malicious software is prevention by using up-to-date antimalware and antivirus software. But your computer can still become infected even you taking precautions. Follow steps below to scan for malware and virus:

Use Windows Security for Windows 10 Version 1809 or later:

1. Click on the Start button and go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > and then select Open Windows Security.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Check for updates to ensure your Windows Security is up-to-date.
3. Now go back to Virus & threat protection and select Quick scan.
4. Give Windows Security time to scan your computer for viruses and malware thoroughly.

Use Windows Defender Security Center for Windows 10 Version 1803:

1. Tap on the Start button and head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Defender Security Center.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection updates > Check for updates to ensure you have the latest definition file.
3. Now go back to Virus & threat protection and click on Scan now.

Use Windows Defender Offline for Windows 10 version 1809 or later:

1. Click on the Start button and go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Current threats > Scan options > Windows Defender Offline scan and click on Scan now.
3. This will restart your computer, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. Your computer will restart again when the action is complete

Use Windows Defender Offline for Windows 10 version 1803:

1. Tap on the Start button and head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then select Open Windows Defender Security Center.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan > Windows Defender Offline scan and tap on Scan now.

If Windows 10 still runs slowly, move on to other solutions below.

Tip 4. Free Up Hard Drive Space

When the hard drive of Windows 10 is low on space, this can cause the PC to perform slowly. You can go to Start > Settings > System > Storage to check the amount of free space and total size of each drive. If your hard drive is very low on space, follow the steps below to delete unnecessary or temporary files, and then free up space by using Storage Space:

1. Select the Start button > Settings > System > Storage.
2. In the Storage area, turn on Storage Sense > select Configure Storage Sense or run it now. And choose how often you want Storage Sense to run.
3. In the Temporary Files area, select “Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using”.
4. Select the files you want Storage Sense to delete > select the corresponding time intervals. Scroll down and choose “Clean now.”

If your computer doesn’t have Storage Sense, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool to achieve the same goal. Follow these simple steps below:

1. Type “disk cleanup” in the search box on the taskbar and select Disk Cleanup from the results.
2. Choose the files you want to delete. Note that, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected by default so ensure you unselect those if you don’t want to delete.
3. To free up even more space, select Clean up system files and choose the files you want to delete, then click on OK > Delete files.

If your PC is still slow, try uninstalling apps you no longer use to free up space on your hard drive:

1. Select the Start button > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Select the app you want to delete from the list then select Uninstall.
3. Restart your PC to see if your Windows is still slow

If your device still runs slowly, you can try to move files like photos, videos, music that you don’t use often to another drive or even removable drive. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect the removable drive to your computer via USB port.
2. From the taskbar, select File Explorer and select the files you want to move.
3. Go to Home > Move to > Choose location and select your removable media from the location list, then click on Move.
4. Restart your PC and see if your computer is now running faster.

Tip 5. Install Latest Update

To fix the issue, you can ensure your PC is running on the latest version of Windows 10, then make it performing at its peak. Follow to steps below to install the latest update on your PC:

1. Select the Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
2. If the status says “Updates are available”, select “Install now” and choose the updates you want to install, then select Install.
3. If the status says “You’re up to date”, then you are good.
4. Restart your PC and see if it now performs faster.

Tip 6. Change Page File Size

Your Windows 10 computer has a paging file which is located in the hard disk that acts as a memory. The page file size can be managed automatically via a setting in Windows 10, and this can enhance the performance of your computer. So make sure this automatic page file management is turned on. Here is how:

1. Type “advanced system” in the search box on the taskbar and select “View advanced system settings” which is listed above Control panel.
2. In System Properties, select the Advanced tab and choose Settings in the Performance area.
3. In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab and then choose Change in the Virtual memory area.
4. Ensure Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is selected, then restart your PC.

Tip 7. Use ReadyBoost

ReadyBoost allows you to improve the performance of your PC by using a removable drive, and you don’t need to open your PC to add more memory (RAM). The requirements to use ReadyBoost: a USB flash drive or a memory card with at least 500 MB free with a high data transfer rate. Follow the steps below to use ReadyBoost:

1. Insert the USB flash drive or SD card to your computer via a USB port.
2. Select File Explorer > press and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if that’s what you’re using) > select Properties > select the ReadyBoost tab > then select Use this device. Windows will determine if your device can use ReadyBoost. If it can’t, you’ll be notified.
3. Windows will determine how much free space to use to optimize memory. Next, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can use it.
4. Check the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer for a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache.

Please note: ReadyBoost can’t be used if Windows is installed on a solid state drive (SSD).

Tip 8. Pause OneDrive Syncing

Syncing between your computer and OneDrive can also slow down the speed. So try to stop OneDrive from syncing temporarily to see if the speed of your Windows 10 performance improves. To pause syncing to OneDrive, follow the steps below:

1. On the taskbar, find the OneDrive near the notification area.
2. Choose OneDrive > More… > Pause syncing, then select the duration you want to pause syncing your data.
3. Restart your Windows 10 computer and see if the performance of your PC improved when you paused OneDrive syncing.
4. To resume syncing your files: go to OneDrive > More > Resume syncing.

Tip 9. Restore PC from A System Restore Point

Restoring your Windows 10 computer from a system restore point won’t affect your files but will undo recent changes that might be causing the issues. If a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows is causing your PC to run small, restoring your computer to a restore point might solve the problem. However, please note that it will only work for changes made in the last 7 to 14 days.

To restore your Windows 10 PC from a restore point, follow the steps below:

1. On the taskbar, type “restore point” in the search box and choose “Create a restore point” from the results.
2. Now choose “System Restore” from the System Protection tab.
3. Click on Next, then select the restore point related to the app, driver, or update that might be causing the issue. Then click on Next > Finish.
4. Restart your computer and see if the speed of it has improved.

If you don’t see any restore points, maybe your system protection isn’t turned on. Here is how to enable system protection:

1. On the taskbar, type “restore point” in the search box and then choose “Create a restore point”.
2. Choose “Configure” from the System Protection tab. Then select “Turn on system protection” and tap on OK.

Bonus: Recover Lost Data from Windows 10

You may mistakenly delete import files while fixing the Windows 10 slow performance issue. Don’t worry, you still have chances to get them back. Fucosoft Data Recovery is a professional tool that can used to recover deleted photos, videos, audios, documents, and more from any storage medium like hard drive, external hard drive, USB drive, Pen drive, memory cards, SD cards, digital cameras, mobile phones, etc. It is very easy to use and ensures a high recovery rate of 98%.

 

Here is how to recover lost data on Windows 10 using Data Recovery:

Step 1: Download and install the Data Recovery software on your Windows 10 PC, then choose the location where you lost your data. To recover data from external or USB drives, you should connect the device to your computer.

Step 2: Click on “Start” and the program will begin scanning for deleted files on the location you selected. When the scan is complete, all recoverable files will be listed by file types and folders.

Step 3: Now you can preview the files in details and choose the items you would like to save, then click on “Recover” to get them back. Please don’t save the recovered file to the location where you lost them.

Conclusion

There you have it, some reliable, fast and easy solutions you can do yourself if your Windows 10 is running slow. However, if you’ve done all of the above tips and your Windows 10 performance is still slow, then we recommend you visit a computer technician for help. In case of data loss, you can download Data Recovery and try it to recover deleted files with ease. Any questions or problems, please leave your comments below.

---

You May Also Like:

• Is TikTok Safe for Kids? Everything You Should Know
• Location is Wrong on Google Maps: How to Fix
• Top 10 Best Free Parental Control Apps in 2023
• Is Yee App Safe? Here Are All The Facts
• Why Life360 is Bad? Find Out Why and It’s Alternative