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Slow PC on Windows 10: 10 Steps to Speed It Up

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TechResolve Team
Published on Sep 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Last checked: Sep 20, 2026
Quick answer

Do not start "optimising" in the dark: open Task Manager and see which resource sits at 100% - disk, memory or processor (Solution 1). Each one points to a different fix. On everyday slow machines, the two biggest wins are usually disabling programs that launch with Windows (Solution 2) and replacing a mechanical hard drive with an SSD (Solution 8). And do not install "optimiser" programs: they tend to be part of the problem.

Slow PC on Windows 10: 10 Steps to Speed It Up

What causes this problem

  • Too many programs launching with Windows and competing for disk and memory right at sign-in.
  • A mechanical hard drive instead of an SSD - by far the biggest bottleneck on computers over five years old.
  • Not enough RAM for how the machine is used, which makes Windows fall back on the disk constantly.
  • A nearly full system drive, leaving no room for temporary files and virtual memory.
  • Malware or adware consuming processor and network in the background.
  • A pending update or an outdated driver, especially graphics and storage drivers.
Before you begin
  • Actually restart the computer (Start > Restart). Closing the lid does not reset the system, and machines that go weeks without a restart accumulate slowdown.
  • Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and leave it open while you work - you will need it in the first step.
  • Check how much free space is on drive C:. Below 10% of the total, Windows loses performance on its own.
  • Try to recall when it got slow: after an update, after installing something, or gradually? That changes the path.

Solutions, in the order to try them

1Find the bottleneck in Task Manager

This is the step that stops you wasting time on the wrong fix. Each maxed-out resource points to a different cause, and the rest of this guide depends on what you find here.

  1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click More details.
  2. On the Performance tab, watch Disk, Memory and CPU while you use the computer normally.
  3. Disk pinned at 100%: go to Solutions 2, 3 and 8.
  4. Memory above 80% with few programs open: Solutions 2 and 8.
  5. High CPU for no clear reason: sort the Processes tab by CPU and see what is consuming it - if the name is unfamiliar, go to Solution 4.

2Disable programs that start with Windows

This is the change with the best effort-to-result ratio, and the one you feel most day to day. Every startup program competes for disk and memory at exactly the moment you want to use the machine.

  1. In Task Manager, open the Startup tab.
  2. Sort by the Startup impact column.
  3. Disable everything marked High that you do not use immediately after booting: updaters, cloud apps, game launchers, printer assistants.
  4. Do not disable your antivirus, or audio and touchpad drivers.
  5. Restart and compare - the difference is usually immediate.

3Free up space on the system drive

Windows needs free space for temporary files, updates and virtual memory. With the drive nearly full, it runs slowly even on good hardware.

  1. Open Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense.
  2. Click Temporary files and remove what is selected, including the previous Windows installation folder, which often takes several gigabytes.
  3. Uninstall programs you do not use under Settings > Apps.
  4. Move photos and videos to an external drive or to the cloud.
  5. Leave at least 15% of the drive free.

4Run a full malware scan

High CPU for no reason, a fan that never stops and a browser opening pages on its own are classic signs. Windows' own offline scan catches what the regular scan cannot, because it runs before the system loads.

  1. Open Windows Security > Virus and threat protection.
  2. Click Scan options and choose Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
  3. The computer restarts and scans before Windows starts - set aside about 15 minutes.
  4. Remove any browser extensions you do not recognise.

5Turn down the visual effects

Animations, shadows and transparency cost little on modern hardware, but weigh heavily on older machines and on computers without a dedicated graphics card.

  1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
  2. Go to Advanced > Performance > Settings.
  3. Choose Adjust for best performance, or untick just the animations and shadows if you want to keep the look.
  4. Under Settings > Personalisation > Colours, turn off Transparency effects.

6Update drivers and finish pending updates

An outdated graphics or storage driver causes stutters that feel like general slowness. And a Windows update left half-finished keeps background processes running indefinitely.

  1. Open Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update and install everything pending, restarting when asked.
  2. Download the graphics driver straight from the manufacturer (Intel, AMD or NVIDIA), not through Windows Update.
  3. On your laptop maker's site, look for chipset and storage updates for your exact model.

7Repair system files

Damaged system files cause diffuse slowness and intermittent errors. Run these in Command Prompt as Administrator, in this order. DISM needs an internet connection and can take 10 to 20 minutes.

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

8Consider an SSD and more memory - the real win

If the computer still uses a mechanical hard drive, no software tweak comes close to what swapping in an SSD delivers. It is the difference between a minute and fifteen seconds to boot. It is worth more than any "optimisation".

  1. Confirm the drive type: in Task Manager, on the Performance tab, the disk is labelled HDD or SSD.
  2. An entry-level SSD fixes most of the slowness on machines 5 to 10 years old.
  3. If memory sits above 80% under normal use, going from 4 GB to 8 GB (or 8 to 16) is the second best investment.
  4. In both cases, check compatibility with your motherboard or laptop model first.

Applies to

SystemStatus
Windows 10 (21H2 and 22H2) Confirmed
Windows 11 Confirmed
Windows 8.1 Task Manager and sysdm.cpl work the same way; Storage Sense does not exist

Menu names can change slightly between versions. If a step above does not match what you see on screen, the official support page from the manufacturer has the most current wording for your version.

Frequently asked questions

We would not recommend them. Their real gain is minimal next to what Solution 2 delivers for free, and many install toolbars, monitor the system, or charge a subscription for tasks Windows already does. Registry cleaning specifically carries more risk of breaking something than benefit to performance.

For browsing, Office and video, 8 GB is the comfortable minimum in 2026. Windows 10 runs on 4 GB, but it starts using the disk as memory and the slowness becomes constant. Above 16 GB only matters for video editing, virtual machines or demanding games.

In most cases, yes - it is the most noticeable improvement per unit of money. An 8-year-old computer with an SSD opens Windows and programs faster than a new machine with a mechanical drive. It is only not worth it if the motherboard is too old to recognise the SSD, or if there is another hardware fault.

It fixes slowness caused by accumulated software, but it is the most laborious route and corrects nothing in hardware: a mechanical hard drive is still slow after a format. Try the solutions above first; reinstalling makes sense when Solution 4 finds a persistent infection, or when nothing else explains the problem.
Windows 10 Performance SSD Optimisation

Last checked: Sep 20, 2026 · We review this guide whenever the manufacturer changes the process.

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