How to Speed Up a Slow Windows PC

A PC usually slows down because too many apps are running, updates are missing, the drive is nearly full, settings favor battery life or looks over speed, or malware is at work. The fixes below use tools built into Windows 11 and Windows 10. Work through them in order so you can tell which change made the difference.

1. Close Apps and Restart Your PC

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Apps and browser tabs left open for days keep using memory and processor time. A restart clears them out.

1. Save your work and close the apps and browser tabs you aren't using.
2. Select Start > Power > Restart.

Expected result: your PC starts with a clean slate, and only the apps set to start with Windows are running.

2. Install Windows Updates

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Updates often include fixes and performance improvements, and optional updates can include newer drivers.

1. Windows 11: select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
2. Select Download & install for anything that's available.
3. For driver updates on Windows 11, open Advanced options > Optional updates. On Windows 10, select View optional updates.
4. Restart if Windows asks you to.

Expected result: Windows Update says you're up to date.

3. Turn Off Startup Apps You Don't Need

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Every app that starts when you sign in uses resources until you close it. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Startup apps (on Windows 10, the Startup tab), right-click an app you don't need straight away and choose Disable. The app stays installed and you can still open it yourself.

For the full walk-through, including what the Startup impact ratings mean, see How to Fix Slow Startup in Windows 11.

Expected result: fewer apps open on their own the next time you sign in.

4. Free Up Disk Space

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A nearly full system drive leaves Windows less room to work. Ways to clear out files you don't need:

• Temporary files (Windows 11 and 10): select Start > Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, tick the file types you want to remove, then select Remove files.
• Cleanup recommendations (Windows 11): in Settings > System > Storage, open Cleanup recommendations to review temporary files, large or unused files, files synced to the cloud and unused apps.
• Storage Sense: in Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense so Windows clears temporary files and old Recycle Bin items for you. With its default settings it leaves your Downloads folder and OneDrive files alone.
• Disk Cleanup: search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu, pick your drive and tick the file types to delete.

Deleted files stay in the Recycle Bin until you empty it, so empty it to actually get the space back.

Expected result: Settings > System > Storage shows more free space on your system drive.

5. Uninstall Apps You Don't Use

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Apps you never open can still take up space and run tasks in the background.

1. Windows 11: select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select More options (…) next to the app, then Uninstall.
2. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, then Uninstall.

If an app refuses to go, see How to Fix Programs That Won't Uninstall.

Expected result: the app no longer appears in your apps list.

6. Stop Apps From Running in the Background

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1. Windows 11: in Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select More options (…) > Advanced options next to an app, and under Background app permissions set Let this app run in the background to Never.
2. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off the apps that don't need to run.

Keep background access for apps you rely on for alerts, such as email or chat, so you don't miss messages.

Expected result: the apps you changed only run while you have them open.

7. Adjust Visual Effects for Best Performance

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Animations and shadows look nice but use resources.

1. Select Start, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows and open it.
2. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance.
3. Select Apply.

Expected result: windows open and close without animations, and menus appear straight away.

8. Change Your Power Mode

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1. Windows 11: select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery, and under Power mode choose Best performance.
2. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings, select Show additional plans if you see it, then choose High performance.

Microsoft notes that Best performance uses more power, so a laptop battery drains faster and the laptop may run warmer. Use it when you're plugged in. If you can't change the power mode, open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options and select Balanced first.

9. Optimize Your Drives

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1. Select Start, type Defragment and Optimize Drives and open it.
2. Select your system drive (usually C:) and choose Optimize.

Expected result: the optimization finishes for your system drive.

10. Scan for Malware With Windows Security

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Malware can use processor, memory and disk time in the background. Windows Security is built in, so there's nothing to install.

1. Windows 11: select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.
2. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, then under Current threats select Quick scan.

Expected result: the scan reports no current threats, or tells you what it found and removed.

Still Slow? What to Try Next

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• See what's busy: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and check the Processes and Performance tabs. Close apps you aren't using. If one process keeps the processor or disk at 100%, see How to Fix 100% CPU Usage or How to Fix 100% Disk Usage.
• Update drivers: right-click Start, select Device Manager, right-click a device and choose Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software. Microsoft recommends Windows Update as the best way to get driver updates. More in How to Update Drivers.
• Reset Windows and keep your files: Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC > Keep my files. Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started > Keep my files. This reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, but removes your apps and settings.
• Older hardware: Microsoft notes that older PCs may see little improvement from these steps, and upgrading the device may be the best long-term fix.