Thursday, August 28, 2025

How to Fix Windows 10 Slow Performance and Speed Up Your PC


 







Over time, many users notice Windows 10 becoming slow or laggy. Common causes include:

  • Too many startup programs

  • Low RAM or disk space

  • Background apps are consuming resources

  • Malware infections

  • Fragmented or failing hard drive

  • Outdated drivers or Windows updates

✅ Solution 1: Disable Startup Programs

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Startup tab.

  3. Right-click unnecessary programs → Disable.

    • Example: Skype, Spotify, Adobe Updater.

This reduces boot time.

✅ Solution 2: Remove Unnecessary Background Apps

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Background apps.

  2. Turn Off apps you don’t need running.

✅ Solution 3: Clean Up Disk Space

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup.

  2. Select your C: drive → Click OK.

  3. Check Temporary files, Recycle Bin, System cache → OK → Delete Files.

Optional: Use Storage Sense

  • Go to Settings → System → Storage.

  • Turn Storage Sense ON to clean files automatically.

✅ Solution 4: Uninstall Unused Programs

Steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features.

  2. Select unused software → Uninstall.

✅ Solution 5: Check for Malware or Viruses

Steps:

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.

  2. Run a Full Scan.

  3. Use free tools like Malwarebytes if needed.

✅ Solution 6: Adjust Visual Effects for Best Performance

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type:

    sysdm.cpl

    → Press Enter.

  2. Go to Advanced → Performance → Settings.

  3. Choose Adjust for best performance.
    (Or select custom → uncheck animations, shadows).

✅ Solution 7: Upgrade Virtual Memory (Page File)

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type:

    sysdm.cpl

    → Enter.

  2. Go to Advanced → Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual Memory → Change.

  3. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.

  4. Select C: drive → Custom size.

    • Initial size = Recommended value.

    • Maximum size = 1.5 × RAM size.

  5. Click Set → OK → Restart PC.

✅ Solution 8: Update Drivers & Windows

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.

  2. Right-click devices (especially Display Adapter, Storage, Network) → Update driver.

  3. Check Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates.

✅ Solution 9: Check Hard Disk Health

If you’re on HDD (not SSD), slow performance may be due to disk issues.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Run:

    chkdsk C: /f /r

  3. Restart and let scan complete.

If HDD is too old, consider upgrading to SSD (huge speed boost).

✅ Solution 10: Disable Unnecessary Services

Steps (Advanced Users):

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig → Enter.

  2. Go to Services tab → Check Hide Microsoft services.

  3. Disable unnecessary ones (like 3rd-party updaters).

✅ Solution 11: Perform System Maintenance

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type control panel → Enter.

  2. Go to Security and Maintenance → Maintenance → Start maintenance.

✅ Solution 12: Reset PC (Last Resort)

If nothing works:

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.

  2. Choose Reset this PC → Keep files or Remove everything.


A slow Windows 10 system doesn’t always mean you need a new PC. With cleanup, disabling startups, updating drivers, and checking for malware, you can restore performance. Upgrading to an SSD + RAM expansion provides the biggest boost.