Windows Running Slow? Try These Fixes First

Before spending money on hardware upgrades, try these free software fixes. They resolve most slow PC complaints.

1. Disable Startup Programs

Too many programs launching at startup is the #1 cause of slow Windows.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  2. Click the Startup apps tab
  3. Right-click anything you don’t need immediately and select Disable
  4. Restart your PC

Common culprits: Spotify, Discord, Teams, OneDrive, Google Drive, Steam.

2. Check for Malware

Viruses and background miners silently use your CPU and RAM.

  1. Open Windows Security (search it in Start)
  2. Click Virus & threat protection
  3. Run a Full Scan
  4. Let it complete — don’t use the PC during scan

If it finds something, follow the removal steps. Still slow? Request a service visit.

3. Free Up Disk Space

Windows slows significantly when your C: drive is over 85% full.

  1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer
  2. Right-click your C: drive → Properties
  3. Click Disk Cleanup
  4. Check all boxes and click OK

Also check: Downloads folder, Recycle Bin, old screenshots.

4. Check for Windows Updates

Pending updates can cause background slowness.

  1. Open Settings → Windows Update
  2. Click Check for updates
  3. Install everything pending
  4. Restart when prompted

5. Adjust Power Settings

If your laptop is on battery saver, it throttles performance.

  1. Open Settings → System → Power & sleep
  2. Click Additional power settings
  3. Select Balanced or High performance

Still slow after all this?

It could be a hardware issue — failing hard drive, overheating, or genuinely insufficient RAM. Bring it in and we’ll diagnose it properly.

Submit a service request →