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Free Image Format ConversionToday, I'm going to teach you, step by step, how to fix a slow Windows 10 computer. There's nothing more frustrating than when your computer suddenly slows down. And if you're a beginner, it can be really hard to figure out why your PC has suddenly become so sluggish.
Overview - Computer Suddenly Very Slow Windows 11/10
In this guide, I'll show you in detail how to fix the slow Windows 10 issue on your computer.
| Solutions That Work | Step-by-Step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Why Is Windows 10 Running Slow? | Computer hasn't been restarted for a long time, insufficient disk space...Full Steps |
| Quick Tips to Speed Up Windows 10 | Restart your computer, scan for malware or viruses, close background apps, update Windows...Full Steps |
| Advanced Ways to Fix Slow Windows 10 | Delete temporary files, free up Windows 10 disk space, reset your PC...Full Steps |
| Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Windows 10 | How to speed up Windows 10? Why is Windows 10 so slow? How to prevent Windows 10 lagging...Full Steps |
If you're using Windows 11, the causes and solutions for a slow Windows 11 might be slightly different from Windows 10. You can refer to this link to learn how to fix a suddenly slow Windows 11 issue on your own:
Windows 11 Running Slow? How to Boost Windows 11 Performance
Despite its fresh design and some improved features, some users experience slow performance after installing Windows 11. See how to resolve it yourself.
Why has my computer suddenly become so slow?
How frustrated do you get when your computer crashes, runs slowly, or hangs? So, why is my computer running so slow all of a sudden?
If you're wondering the same thing, the list below covers some of the main culprits. It should help you start narrowing down the specific reasons why your Windows-based computer is underperforming. Here are some common causes for a sudden slowdown in Windows 10:
- The computer has been running for an extended period without being restarted
- Insufficient disk space
- Damaged hard drive or too much fragmentation
- The computer is infected with viruses or malware
- Too many background programs running
- The computer or processor is overheating
- Your Windows version or other software is outdated
- Network driver issues, driver failure, or missing drivers
- Hardware failures...
Aside from faulty network drivers, issues with or missing drivers for other hardware components like the chipset, hard disk, disk controller, or graphics card can also cause slow performance. The quick fixes and comprehensive solutions below will effectively address the issue of Windows 10 running slow from both software and hardware perspectives.
Read more: New ASUS laptop runs very slow on Windows 11
Quick Fixes for a Slow Windows 10 Computer
Now that you know why your computer is running slow on Windows 10 or even not responding, you can follow the quick fixes to resolve your issue and speed up your PC or laptop.
Method 1: Restart Your Computer
If your computer hasn't been restarted recently, do that before trying any of these fixes.
- Click the Start icon. Go to Power Off or Sign Out > Restart.
Method 2: Scan for Malware or Viruses
If your computer has one or more viruses, this can cause it to run slowly. Scan your computer with an antivirus program. You can also try removing the virus without antivirus software.
- 1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the command **attrib g:*.* /d /s -h -r -s** and press {{key|Enter}}. (Replace "g" with the letter of your external hard drive.)
Method 3: Close Background Apps
One major reason why your computer might be running slow is that there are too many programs running in the background. These can eat up your memory, processing power, laptop battery life, and bandwidth. You can speed up your computer significantly by uninstalling or disabling the resident programs and services that automatically start up every time you boot up.
To view programs running in the background and the amount of memory and CPU they're using, see:
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Del to open the Task Manager.
Check the programs that are using the most memory.
Select unnecessary programs and close their background processes.
Method 4: Update Windows
Make sure your computer has all the latest Windows updates installed. If your computer is running slow while you're online, make sure all your browser plugins are up to date as well.
- Click the Start icon, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Did any of these fixes solve your problem? If so, don't hesitate to share them with your friends.
Advanced Fixes for the Windows 10 Suddenly Slow Error
If the quick fix didn't solve the issue of your computer or laptop running slow with Windows 10, try the advanced methods below to speed up Windows 10.
Fix 1: Delete temporary files
When a computer runs programs, temporary files are stored on the hard drive. These can be deleted to improve your computer's performance. You can delete temporary files using Disk Cleanup or you can configure your computer to automatically delete them.
How to Automatically Delete Temporary Files in Windows 10/8/7?
Follow this guide to easily remove all the temporary files and folders you select.
Solution 2: Free up space on Windows 10 and increase C drive space
For serious hard drive issues that might cause overload and slow performance, you need advanced help from a professional toolkit! That's where CleanGenius comes in handy. Use it to clean all junk files in one go and free up more disk space.
1 - Cleaning up junk files
Step 1. Download and install the Partition Master Suite on your computer. Click on “Download PC Cleaner” from the panel.
< strong > Step 2. Install the CleanGenius tool on your computer. First, go to the “Clean” tab and click “Scan.”
Step 3: CleanGenius will immediately scan all unnecessary files, select system junk files and invalid entries, then click “Clean” to clean your entire computer.
Step 4: When it's done, you'll see how many MB or GB of data were cleared. Tap “Finish” to complete the process.
2 - Increase the system C drive space
If disk cleanup does not free up enough space for you, another effective way to fix slow Windows 10 computer is to extend C drive with a partition manager tool. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Click "Optimize" to extend the C drive.
When the C drive is low on space, hover over it in the Partition Master tool, and you'll see a “Low disk space” warning. Click “Resize/Move” to expand it.
Step 2: Click "OK" to automatically expand the C drive.
Click “OK” and Partition Master will automatically allocate space from unallocated space to C drive to solve low disk space problem.
Optional: You can also click "Customize" to manually expand C:.
Switch to "Manually resize," select the C drive, and then drag the dot to the right to add more space to the C drive. Click "OK" to confirm.
Step 3: Confirm that the C drive disk space issue is resolved
Click the “Run Tasks” button in the upper-right corner, and then click “Apply” to begin all pending operations.
Solution 3: Erase your Mac, then start over
If none of these solutions work for you, consider reinstalling Windows or wiping your machine and starting over.
Note: Remember to back up your data before deleting anything.
Performing a clean install to start over with fresh software and drivers can improve performance by eliminating old software or drivers that might be slowing it down. Installing a brand new copy of Windows, programs, and the latest drivers helps ensure there are no software-related issues causing your computer to run slow.
Conclusions
With this guide, you don't need to spend hours looking for ways to fix slow Windows 10. You have everything you need to speed up your Windows 10/8/7 PC right here. As you will see in this complete guide, slow Windows performance can be caused by many different things and can be fixed in several ways. Among all the solutions, I recommend trying the quick fixes first. They are simple and effective. Most users are able to fix slow computer issues after a restart.
Issues Related to Slow Performance in Windows 11/10
Let's look at three common issues that can cause Windows 10 to slow down, and how to fix them.
<strong>1. Can Windows 10 make my computer faster?</strong>
Here are some effective ways to speed up Windows 10.
- Restart your computer
- Install the latest Windows 10 updates
- Change your power plan
- Disable startup programs
- Defragment and optimize your hard drive
- Use ReadyBoost to speed up Windows 10...
2. How can I fix slow performance issues with Windows 10?
- 1. Go to "Settings." Click on "Update & Security."
2. Go to Windows Update, then click "Advanced options."
3. Click on "Delivery Optimization," then choose "Choose how updates are delivered."
4. Turn off "Get updates from more than one place."
Why has my computer suddenly become so slow?
A slow computer is usually the result of too many programs running at the same time, which can hog your processor and slow down performance. Viruses, malware, hardware issues, and high memory usage can also contribute to a slow computer.
4. How can I find out what's slowing down my computer?
Windows includes a tool called Performance Monitor that can show you in real time what your computer is up to. Here's how to use it:
Open “Run” and type in perfmon.msc, then hit “OK”. When the “Performance Monitor” opens, go to “Data Collector Sets” and click on “System”, then click “System Performance” and select “Start.” Let this tool monitor your computer for about 60 seconds. Then, head over to “Reports,” click on “System,” and you'll see a performance report under “System Performance.”