Published 2022-03-20 by TechNet New England
A slow Windows computer is one of the most common help desk complaints. Before assuming the hardware is failing, try these fixes in order. ## Step 1: Restart This is not a joke. Restarting clears temporary files, resets memory, and stops processes that may have accumulated over days or weeks of uptime. Click **Start > Power > Restart** (not Shut Down). Windows 11 uses "Fast Startup" by default, which means Shut Down does not fully clear the session. Restart does. ## Step 2: Check What Is Using Resources 1. Press **Ctrl + Shift + Escape** to open Task Manager. 2. Click the **Processes** tab. 3. Sort by **CPU** to see what is using the most processing power. 4. Sort by **Memory** to see what is using the most RAM. 5. Sort by **Disk** to see what is reading/writing the most. Look for anything unusual. A web browser with 50 tabs, a backup running in the background, or an antivirus scan can all cause temporary slowdowns. If a process you do not recognize is using high resources, do not end it without checking. Search for the process name online or ask your IT provider. ## Step 3: Check Disk Space A nearly full C: drive causes significant slowdowns. 1. Open **File Explorer > This PC**. 2. Check the free space on your C: drive. If it is below 10% free, you need to clear space. 3. Follow the steps in our guide on freeing up disk space on Windows 11. ## Step 4: Check for Malware Malware running in the background can consume resources and slow everything down. 1. Open **Windows Security** (search for it in the Start menu). 2. Click **Virus and threat protection**. 3. Click **Quick scan** to run an immediate scan. 4. For a more thorough check, click **Scan options** and select **Full scan**. If your organization uses a third-party endpoint protection tool (SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, Sophos, etc.), that may already be providing protection. Check with your IT provider. ## Step 5: Disable Startup Programs Too many programs launching at startup slow down boot time and consume background resources. 1. Open **Task Manager** (Ctrl + Shift + Escape). 2. Click the **Startup apps** tab. 3. Sort by **Startup impact**. 4. Right-click programs you do not need at startup and select **Disable**. Common culprits: Spotify, Teams (if not needed immediately), Adobe Creative Cloud, Skype, OneDrive (only if you do not use it), manufacturer bloatware. Do not disable your antivirus, VPN client, or anything your IT provider installed for management. ## Step 6: Update Windows Outdated systems can have performance bugs that have been fixed in newer updates. 1. Go to **Settings > Windows Update**. 2. Click **Check for updates**. 3. Install any available updates and restart. ## Step 7: Check for Failing Hardware If the computer is still slow after all the above, the hardware may be the problem. **Hard drive vs. SSD:** If your computer has a traditional spinning hard drive (HDD), upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single biggest performance improvement you can make. The difference is dramatic. **RAM:** If Task Manager consistently shows memory usage above 85 to 90%, you may need more RAM. 8 GB is the minimum for modern Windows use. 16 GB is recommended. **Age:** Computers older than 5 to 6 years may simply not have the hardware to run current software efficiently. At that point, replacement is often more cost-effective than upgrades. ## When to Contact IT If the computer is managed by your organization, contact IT before making hardware changes, disabling startup programs you do not recognize, or running third-party optimization tools. Your IT provider can diagnose the root cause and recommend the right fix.