Symptoms
- Everything takes longer to open than it used to
- Typing or clicking feels delayed
- Multiple programs open feels sluggish
- Fan spins up even when idle
Likely causes
- CommonToo many startup and background programsEach one uses a slice of CPU and memory even when you never open it.
- CommonStorage drive nearly fullWindows needs free space to manage memory and temp files efficiently.
- CommonOld mechanical hard drive instead of an SSDSpinning drives are far slower at loading programs than solid-state drives.
- PossibleMalware or unwanted background softwareHidden processes can quietly consume CPU and network.
- PossibleNot enough RAM for how you use the computerHeavy multitasking on 4–8GB of RAM forces constant disk swapping.
What to do
- Restart the PC first; a clean boot clears memory leaks that build up over days of uptime.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and sort by CPU and Memory to see what is actually using resources.
- Open Settings > Apps > Startup and disable anything you do not need running at boot.
- Check Settings > System > Storage; if the main drive is over 90% full, free up space or move files off it.
- Run a full scan with Windows Security (or your antivirus) to rule out malware.
- Check whether the drive is an HDD or SSD in Task Manager's Performance tab; an HDD is a common root cause of a slow feel.
- Uninstall programs you no longer use from Settings > Apps.
- If it's still slow after all this, consider adding RAM or replacing an HDD with an SSD.
Tools and parts
- None required for software steps
When to call a pro
If the slowdown started right after a specific update or hardware failure, or if a tech-savvy fix doesn't help, a computer repair shop can diagnose failing hardware.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.