10 safe ways to speed up a slow Windows PC
Restart it, install updates, scan for malware, free up disk space, and stop programs you don't need from starting with Windows. Those five fix most slow PCs, and none of them can hurt your files. Five more are below. If the computer is old, Microsoft notes that these steps may not make a big difference.
These steps are written for Windows 11. On Windows 10, Windows Update is under Settings > Update & Security instead.
Steps
- Close what you aren't using, then restart. Many open programs and browser tabs slow a PC down. Close them, then select Start > Power > Restart. After the restart, open only what you need.
- Install Windows updates. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. If updates are available, select Download & install. Updates often include fixes and performance improvements.
- Scan for malware. Harmful software uses up the processor and the disk. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, then Quick scan.
- Free up disk space. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage, then Storage Sense, then Run Storage Sense now. More ways are in how to free up disk space.
- Uninstall programs you don't use. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Next to a program you no longer use, select More options (…), then Uninstall.
- Stop programs from starting with Windows. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select Startup apps. Right-click a program you don't need at startup and select Disable. It still works when you open it yourself.
- Turn off background activity for apps you rarely use. In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select More options (…) next to the app, then Advanced options. Under Background app permissions, choose Never.
- Find what is using the computer. In Task Manager, the Processes tab shows what is using the processor, memory and disk. Close apps you aren't using.
- Optimize the drive. Select Start, type Defragment and Optimize Drives, open it, select your drive and select Optimize.
- Turn down visual effects. Select Start, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows and open it. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance. Windows will look plainer and feel quicker.
If that didn't work
Microsoft says it plainly: older PCs with outdated hardware may not see significant improvements from these steps, and upgrading the device may be the long-term answer. WeldonPC's performance tuning includes memory (RAM) upgrades and solid-state drive (SSD) installation, done in its store; see slow computer help.
What not to do
Don't install “PC cleaner” or “driver updater” programs from advertisements or pop-ups. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers place bogus software ads on search engines and social media. Everything in this guide uses tools that are already part of Windows.
Sources
- Tips to improve PC performance in Windows, Microsoft Support (checked )
- Support Center: Common Issues & Quick Fixes, WeldonPC (checked )
- Malware: How To Protect Against, Detect, and Remove It, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (checked )
We check these steps against the sources above and review this guide by April 6, 2027. Software changes; if a screen looks different from what we describe, trust the source.