How to Speed Up a Slow Windows PC (Safe Steps That Work)
A PC that used to feel quick but now crawls is usually suffering from a handful of ordinary causes: too many programs starting with Windows, a nearly full drive, pending updates, or too little memory for today's apps. Work through the steps below in order. None of them need paid software.
1. Restart and install pending updates
A restart clears memory and finishes updates that may be running in the background. Open Settings → Windows Update, install anything waiting, then restart.
2. Trim startup apps
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Open the Startup apps tab.
- Sort by Startup impact and disable apps you do not need at sign-in (chat clients, game launchers, updaters).
Disabling a startup entry does not uninstall the app; you can still open it manually.
3. See what is using your resources
In Task Manager's Processes tab, click the CPU, Memory and Disk columns to sort. If one app constantly uses a large share, update it, reinstall it, or look for a lighter alternative.
4. Keep free disk space
Aim to keep at least 15–20% of your system drive free. See our guide on freeing up disk space.
5. Check your power mode
In Settings → System → Power & battery, choose a balanced or best-performance mode while plugged in. Battery-saver modes deliberately limit speed.
6. Consider hardware upgrades
- SSD: If your PC still uses a hard disk drive, moving to a solid-state drive is the biggest single speed-up for most people.
- RAM: If Task Manager shows memory constantly above 85%, adding RAM can help. Check your model's supported type and maximum first.
7. Scan for unwanted software
Run a full scan with Windows Security. Unexpected browser toolbars or pop-ups can also slow things down; see how to protect your PC from malware.
Quick summary
- Restart and update.
- Disable unneeded startup apps.
- Free up storage.
- Upgrade to an SSD or more RAM if the hardware is the bottleneck.