Best way to speed up my windows 10 pc as running very slow

If possible, add more RAM and SSD to the PC in order to speed up the performance. PC Cleaning software also helps if you couldn't upgrade the hardware.

A good PC cleaner can definitely help speed up a Windows 10 PC, especially when the system has years of junk files, broken registry entries, and leftover data from uninstalled programs. These things add up over time and slow down startup, disk access, and overall responsiveness.

The key is choosing a reputable cleaner, not the shady one-click boost tools that claims to make the PC faster. A solid Windows 10 PC cleaner focuses on safe areas like temporary files, browser cache, startup items, and system logs, instead of touching critical system files. When used properly, it can noticeably reduce lag and boot time.

That said, a PC cleaner works best as part of a combo. Cleaning junk + disabling unnecessary startup apps + making sure enough free disk space exists usually brings the biggest improvement. For older PCs with HDDs, upgrading to an SSD still gives the most dramatic speed boost.

I understand your frustration completely. A slow Windows 10 PC is incredibly annoying, but let's approach this systematically with safe, non-destructive methods that won't require you to be tech-savvy or risk breaking anything if speed up Windows 10 PC.

1. Type "Adjust the appearance" in Start menu → Click "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows"
2. Select "Adjust for best performance" (this will make Windows look plainer but much faster)
OR choose "Custom" and uncheck everything except:

"Smooth edges of screen fonts"
"Show thumbnails instead of icons"

What NOT to Do if Speed up Windows 10 PC:

❌ Don't install any "PC cleaner," "optimizer," or "boost" software

❌ Don't edit the Registry

❌ Don't disable Windows Update or Defender

❌ Don't disable system services you don't understand

CRITICAL "What NOT To Use" List if you are planning to speed up Windows 10 PC :

"All-in-One System Optimizers" (PC "Boosters," "Optimizer Pro," etc.): Almost always junk. They promise magic fixes but install adware, make dangerous registry "optimizations," and use scare tactics.

"Registry Cleaners": Modern Windows doesn't benefit from this. The risk of breaking your system far outweighs any microscopic, theoretical gain.

"RAM Optimizers/Boosters": These are scams. Windows already manages RAM efficiently. They create a placebo effect by forcing cached data out of RAM, which actually slows you down when you need that data again.

The Most Effective Tricks Are Manual:

1. Search "Storage Settings" > Configure Storage Sense or run it now – Automates cleanup.

2. Search "Background apps" – Turn off background activity for apps you don't need.

3. Search "Indexing Options" > Modify – Remove folders you never search (like game libraries) to reduce disk I/O.

4. In Task Scheduler, review the \Microsoft\Windows tasks and disable unnecessary ones (like scheduled telemetry tasks). Research before disabling. In this way you are allowed to speed up Windows 10 PC.

How to speed up Windows 10 PC? Updating drivers can significantly improve your Windows 10 PC's performance, especially if your hardware is outdated or drivers are causing issues. Here's a simple overview:

Updating Drivers:
Drivers are software that help your hardware communicate effectively with Windows. Outdated or faulty drivers can cause slowdowns, crashes, or hardware malfunctions. This is an indispensable step to help speed up Windows 10 PC.

How to update drivers safely:  

1. Using Device Manager:
   Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
   Find the device you want to update (e.g., Display adapters for graphics card).
   Right-click and choose Update driver.
   Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

2. Visit Manufacturer’s Website:
   For critical hardware like graphics cards (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel), visit their official websites and download the latest drivers.

3. Use Windows Update:
   Sometimes, Windows Update includes driver updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

Here are some safe, simple, and effective tips to speed up Windows 10 PC without the need for any risky tools:

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup tab.
Look for programs with high impact that you don’t need right away.
Right-click and choose Disable on those that are unnecessary.
This speeds up boot time and reduces background load.

2. Run Windows Troubleshooter
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Find Additional troubleshooters.
Run Windows Defender Antivirus or Performance Troubleshooter if available.

3. Check for Windows Updates
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Install any available updates, as they often include performance improvements and bug fixes.

4. Free Up Disk Space
Open File Explorer.
Right-click on your C: drive, select Properties.
Click Disk Cleanup.
Check the boxes for temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary items.
Click OK to delete. This process can help you speed up Windows 10 PC.

5. Restart Your PC Regularly
Restarting clears temporary files and resets background processes, keeping your PC fresh.

A few ways to fix that:

• Upgrade to Windows 11
• Add RAM
• Remove unused apps for extra disk space
• Use PC Manager (IF your Windows 10 Version is 19042.0 or above) and click "speed up PC"
• DO NOT USE UNOFFICIAL (Unofficial: refers to Microsoft-recommended) THIRD-PARTY "CLEANERS"
• Attempt to free more space by clearing caches and Windows Update Files (those files cause some disk space to be taken but unshown in any folder)

A thing I know is that it might have been caused by Windows Update, as said by you. Check Settings -> System -> Storage -> Cleanup Recommendations and find "Update Files". Click to remove them.

If none works, consider (you won't have to, but consider that) replacing it, as sometimes your computer's age might affect your computer's speed.

Tell me one thing if none works: How old is your PC?

If it's old, probably just replace it.

A primary cause of a slow Windows 10 PC is insufficient or inefficient storage. When your system drive (typically C:) is nearly full, Windows struggles to create temporary files, update itself, and manage virtual memory, leading to significant performance degradation. Furthermore, a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) that has become fragmented over time forces the system to work harder to access scattered data. Performing targeted cleanup and optimization is a critical maintenance step to restore speed.

Method 1: Run Disk Cleanup for Basic Files

1. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup", and select the app.
2. Select your C: drive and click OK.
3. The tool will calculate how much space you can free up. In the list, check items like:
4. Temporary files
5. Downloaded Program Files
6. Recycle Bin (ensure you don't need anything in it)
7. Temporary Internet Files
8. Click OK, then Delete Files to confirm.

Method 2: Clean Up System Files (Crucial Step)

1. Re-open Disk Cleanup and select the C: drive again.
2. This time, click the "Clean up system files" button (you may need administrator rights).
3. After it recalculates, a new tab labeled "More Options" will appear.
4. Under the new list, also check:
5. Windows Update Cleanup (removes old, unneeded update files)
6. Delivery Optimization Files (cached update files)
7. Previous Windows installation(s) (only if you're sure you won't roll back).
8. Click OK to delete.

Systematically using Disk Cleanup  removes gigabytes of unnecessary data that burden your system. Monitoring storage to maintain ample free space prevents Windows from being throttled, and optimizing your drive ensures efficient data access. For users with HDDs, defragmentation can yield noticeable improvements, while SSD users benefit from the automated TRIM process. 

Adding RAM is one of the most effective way to speed up a sluggish Windows 10 PC. If your system has less than 8GB of memory, modern applications and Windows itself will constantly be forced to use your much slower hard drive or SSD as virtual memory, causing significant delays, freezing, and overall poor responsiveness. This constant data swapping, or "page filing," is a primary reason for a slow experience during multitasking.

Upgrading to at least 8GB, or ideally 16GB, provides a substantial and immediate improvement for speeding up a Windows 10 PC. With adequate RAM, your PC can keep all your active applications and system processes readily accessible, eliminating the bottleneck of slow disk-based swapping. You'll notice faster application launches, smoother switching between programs, and a general elimination of hesitation, especially when using web browsers with multiple tabs or standard office software.

Before purchasing, you must check your PC's compatibility. Use a tool like CPU-Z to identify your current RAM type (DDR3 or DDR4), speed, and how many slots are available. For the best results, aim to install RAM in matching pairs (dual-channel mode) and ensure any new modules match the specifications of your existing ones if you're not replacing all sticks entirely.