Computer running slow

This guide applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers. If you are using a Mac, see Mac running slow. If your computer is managed by your IT provider, some actions may be restricted.

Quick Diagnosis

Quick Fixes (Try These First)

1. Restart your computer — closes programs and frees memory.
2. Check for pending restarts — open Start > Power. If you see Update and restart or Update and shut down, apply the updates and restart.
3. Check disk space — free up space if your free disk space is below 10% of the total drive capacity.
4. Close unused programs — especially those running in the system tray.

Detailed Solutions

1. Restart Your Computer

This is the most effective fix for slow performance:

1. Save your work.
2. Click Start > Power > Restart.
3. Wait for the computer to fully boot up.

2. Check and Free Up Disk Space

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
2. Select This PC in the left pane.
3. View the drive bar under Devices and drives to check free space.
4. If your free disk space is below 10% of the total drive capacity, clean up by:
   • Opening Settings > Storage.
   • Clicking Temporary files and deleting them.
   • Using Disk Cleanup (search for it in the Start menu).

3. Identify the Bottleneck Using Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Performance tab.
3. Monitor CPU, Memory, and Disk to identify which resource is consistently high.
4. Click Open Resource Monitor at the bottom for more detailed information on which processes are using the most resources.

4. Check for Background Programs

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Processes tab.
3. Sort by "CPU" or "Memory" to find heavy programs.
4. Right-click programs you don't need and select End task.

5. Disable Startup Programs

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Startup apps tab.
3. Disable programs you don't need at startup.

6. Check for Malware

1. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
2. Run a Quick Scan.

Note: On Windows 10, access this via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security. On Windows 11, use Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.

7. Check for Pending Windows Updates

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If updates are pending, install them and restart your computer.

8. Check Browser Performance

If slowness is mainly noticed while using the internet, the issue may be the browser rather than the computer:

• Close unused tabs to free up memory.
• Disable or remove unnecessary browser extensions.
• Clear the browser cache and cookies.
• Try opening the website in a different browser to see if the issue persists.
• Press Shift + Esc in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to open the browser's own task manager and identify resource-heavy tabs.

9. Check Cloud Sync and Indexing

High disk usage is often caused by background processes such as:

• OneDrive syncing: Look for the OneDrive icon in the system tray. If it is syncing many files, pause syncing temporarily to see if performance improves.
• Windows Search indexing: If the system is slow after installing many new files, Windows Search may be indexing them in the background. This usually resolves automatically once indexing is complete.

10. Check for Rogue Software

Unwanted toolbars, browser hijackers, or rogue programmes can slow down your computer:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Settings > Apps > Apps & features (Windows 10).
2. Look for programmes you do not recognise or did not install.
3. Select the programme and click Uninstall.

11. Check Power Settings

Power settings can affect performance, especially on laptops:

1. Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
2. Select Balanced or High performance.
3. Avoid Power saver if you need maximum performance while plugged in.

12. Check for Overheating

If your computer is hot to the touch or the fans are running loudly, it may be overheating. This can cause the system to slow down (thermal throttling):

• Ensure vents are not blocked by papers, clothing, or dust.
• Use the computer on a hard, flat surface rather than a bed or sofa.
• If the computer remains excessively hot, Open a Ticket for hardware inspection.

13. Check Event Logs for Errors

Windows Event Viewer can reveal underlying issues causing slowness:

1. Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter.
2. Expand Windows Logs and click System.
3. Look for red error entries around the time the computer felt slow.

14. Check Storage Type and Optimise

The type of storage drive in your computer affects performance:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Performance tab and select Disk.
3. Check whether the drive is listed as HDD or SSD.

• SSD: Windows handles optimisation automatically. Do not defragment an SSD.
• HDD: Search for "Defragment and Optimise Drives" in the Start menu and run optimisation if the drive is fragmented.

15. Add More RAM (If Possible)

If memory usage is consistently high in Task Manager, adding RAM may improve performance. However, this depends on your computer model and whether it is managed by your IT provider:

• Check your computer's documentation or manufacturer website to see if RAM is upgradeable.
• On domain-joined or managed machines, do not open the case or install hardware yourself.
• If you are unsure whether your machine can support more RAM, Open a Ticket so we can check compatibility and advise on the best option.

When to Consider Hardware Replacement

Older computers may reach a point where upgrades no longer provide meaningful improvement. Consider replacement if:

• The computer is more than five years old and uses a traditional hard drive (HDD) rather than an SSD.
• Upgrading RAM or storage would cost close to the price of a new machine.
• The processor no longer meets the requirements for current software or Windows updates.
• Hardware diagnostics indicate a failing motherboard, processor, or storage drive.

When to Contact Support

If you have followed the steps above and your computer is still running slowly, please Open a Ticket. Include details such as:

• When the slowness started.
• Which programs or tasks are affected.
• Any error messages or unusual noises.
• Whether the issue happens on a domain-joined work computer or a personal device.