Having a fast processor doesn’t always guarantee you a faster Windows PC. At times, even with the perfect configurations, you’d wonder – “ why is my computer so slow ?”
Your computer is running slow either because you unknowingly goofed up some settings or something went wrong automatically. If it’s the first time your computer is being slow, a simple restart can get your system back on the fast track. But, it’s not always this simple.
There are many reasons why your computer runs slow. In most cases, your computer becomes slow after installing a new app or program. You may experience lagging after installing large software suites and high-end games.
So how do you get back your computer running on full speed? Let’s take a look at a answers.
How to Speed Up a Slow Running Computer?
It is normal for a Windows computer to run slow after some point of time. When you extensively use a computer for years, it is bound to become a bit lethargic. Instead of fixing this slow PC, you might as well get a new one with improved system configurations.
But, the same excuse doesn’t go with new laptops and desktops. If you’ve recently started using Windows 10 and the computer is already running slow, then there’s something you must do about it.
You can check your computer on these grounds and find easy ways on how to fix slow computer.
1. Check Your Hard Drive
Starting off, you may find something wrong in your computer’s hard drives. Your current hard drive may have a short lifespan, and its failure can slow down your PC.
A hard drive doesn’t fail out of a sudden. It usually stops working when the internal hardware components wear down. That’s not the case for Solid State Drives (SSDs). You can replace your standard hard drive with SSDs and run Windows 10 literally ten times faster.
If you haven’t updated or tuned up your hard disk, then you can check your hard drive’s health and get the slow PC fixed.
You can also run a check on some software issues with the hard drives. In Windows 10, there are a few inbuilt tools to scan and fix hard drive issues.
Then, you make sure that there’s always plenty of free space on your hard drive. Lighten up the hard drive by storing unused data on external hard disks and memory sticks. You can also increase the capacity of your hard drive to make your Windows computer faster.
2. Stop the Background Apps
Too many apps running in the background are the next common reason behind computers running slow.
Windows 10 doesn’t do well with closing unwanted processes and apps. At any point of time, you can open the Task Manager on your Windows 10 and see several apps and processes hogging your CPU.
You can manually select and stop the background apps on Windows 10.
- Open the Settings windows (click on the gear icon in Start menu)
- Go to Privacy section
- Click on ‘ Background apps ’
- Now, disable the option that says – Let apps run in the background
- You can also click on the toggle switches next to specific apps to stop them selectively
There’s a quicker way to kill background apps on Windows 10.
- Right-click on your desktop’s taskbar
- Open the Task Manager from the menu
- Go to the Processes tab
- Select the process/app that reflect high CPU usage (80 percent and higher)
- Right-click on the app or process and select End Task from the context menu
- Or, select the app and click on End Task button at bottom-right corner
Make sure you don’t end up closing critical system processes, and follow some simple tips. If an inactive app or process is taking up more than 30 percent of your CPU, close it. You can close multiple background apps that use less than 5 percent of your processing power. In a total, you can cut down the CPU usage by killing such apps.
Keep all the system configuration processes running, and don’t close any critical system services such as Local Host, Client Server Runtime, Desktop Window Manager, and more.
3. Get More RAM
Next up, your computer’s running slow because it doesn’t have enough Random Access Memory (RAM) to run apps. It is a matter your Windows 10 PC running out of resources.
To run executable (.exe) files, you need RAM. And, when you use high-processing apps, you need a RAM that can handle them. Nowadays, you can use Virtual Memory Implementation to add more RAM to your Windows 10 PC.
4. Cut Down on Startup Programs
In some cases, a computer runs slow during the startup. If that’s your issue, then you can make a few changes and help your Windows 10 boot up faster.
You can reconfigure the Startup options on your Windows 10 syste, and disable some startup programs.
- Open the System Configuration Utility window (use the search box to find “system configuration” program)
- Go to the General tab
- Click on Selective Startup
- Put a check on clear the Load Startup Items
- Now, click on the Services tab
- Select the box for Hide All Microsoft Services
- Hit the Disable All button
- Click on OK to save the changes
- If prompted, you can click on Restart to reboot your PC
If this stops your computer from running slow, try keeping the least needed startup apps on your Windows 10.
5. Is Your Browser Overloaded with Add-ons?
Your computer runs slow only when you’re using the Internet. If that’s a right guess, then you need to get your web browser app fixed. Mostly, it has something to do with your browser extensions and add-ons.
Some add-ons and extensions enhance your browsing experience, but also run adware that slows down your PC. So, you can simply disable some plug-ins on Google Chrome , Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Internet Explorer) or any other browser you’re using.
Along with that, you can keep minimum tabs open on your browser. It helps your PC run faster and load new pages quickly.
6. Either a Virus or an Antivirus is Messing Around
A virus or malware attack – it is probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you wonder, “Why is my computer so slow?” Your gut feeling is right, and it is a good chance that your PC is troubled with malicious software.
You can purchase and download an antivirus and get your PC scanned. If this fixes your slow PC, then you know what to do the next time around. Make sure you use trusted and best antivirus out there.
In worst cases, the third-party antivirus could itself slow down Windows 10. You can skip installing such programs and scan your Windows PC with the System File Checker (SFC) tool.
Disabling an antivirus or removing a virus can surely speed up your computer. It is also a great trick to fix Windows 10 when it keeps freezing randomly .
7. Check Your Processor
Computer lagging has always stemmed from high CPU usage. You can consider it as the root cause of your computer running slow. When an app or a service max out your processing limits, Windows 10 becomes tired and slows down.
Nowadays, you should configure your computer with an octa-core processor that performs well in optimum power. If you can’t upgrade your processor, then go for the different ways to fix high CPU usage in Windows 10 .
Some antivirus software can also suck up your computer’s processing power. You can disable your current antivirus from Windows 10 to give a shot at fixing your slow PC.
8. Look Out for Cryptominers and Hackers
Lastly, you should always keep an eye out for hackers. Your computer can get attacked by an app or a program to mine cryptocurrency (digital money and information linked to it). Cryptomining is already a big threat for Facebook Messenger and Google Chrome.
If you’ve installed apps from an unknown source, remove them. Hackers can mine data from your system once you’re connected online through such programs. Also, try restarting your Windows 10 PC in Safe Mode to undo inadvertent software downloads and browser-based cryptomining.
Your “Computer Running Slow” Checklist for Windows (2019)
Don’t stop at simply figuring out why your computer is running slow. You can follow some simple tips to make sure your PC doesn’t run slow out of a sudden.
Here’s a Computer Running Slow checklist for your Windows 10 computer.
- Keep your room clean and make sure dust doesn’t settle near your PC
- Ventilate your space to keep CPU cool at all times
- Try to make your PC cabinet less congested
- Don’t fill your hard drives above 95
- Use system drive partition tools to manage your data evenly
- Avoid too many startup programs
- Keep your system upgraded
Keep these things in mind and you won’t face computer lagging on Windows 10 that easily.
Windows 10 Computer Running Slow After Update?
It’s good to have an upgraded system, but not always. Sometimes, your recent Windows Update can slow down your computer. Microsoft’s latest updates for Windows 10 have made this true. There are a lot of bugs and software issues with the Windows 10 update.
So, it’s common to find Windows 10 computers running slow after update installations. Last year’s Fall Creator’s update and the recent October 2018 update are two particular upgrades that have slowed down Windows 10 systems.
You can uninstall the update to fix your slow PC.
- Go to the Start menu
- Open the Settings menu (click on the gear icon)
- Go to the Update & Security section
- Click on the ‘ Windows Update ’ link
- Hit the option that says Check for Updates
- Open the Update History link
- Select “ Uninstall Update ” option and click on it
- Click on ‘ Yes ’ in the UAC prompts
- Reboot your PC
See if your PC is still running slow or not. If this has fixed your slow PC, then avoid installing that specific update on Windows 10 going forward.
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