Forum Discussion
How to fix when my computer is running slow for windows 10?
I don't know why my Windows 10 computer has become very slow recently and I am not sure why. Programs take a long time to open, the system feels unresponsive, and even basic tasks lag. This happens every day and restart does not solve the problem.
I already tried simple things like checking free disk space, running antivirus scans, and restarting the system. Nothing unusual shows up, so I am not sure what to check next to fix my computer is running slow for windows 10 . I would really appreciate help from anyone with experience. Possible causes, troubleshooting steps, or effective fixes would be very helpful.
9 Replies
If you've HDD installed, consider switching to SSD.
- AdscscIron Contributor
My computer is running slow for Windows 10. The main problem is that there are many programs running in the background, and they have no effect on my work at all. Simply pausing these programs will lead to significant changes.
- EverettiinIron Contributor
If your computer is running slow for Windows 10, it's a good idea to verify a couple of things to keep it performing well.
First, you should check if the TRIM feature is enabled. TRIM helps your SSD manage deleted data more efficiently, which keeps it running smoothly. To do this: Open an elevated Command Prompt (run as administrator) and type fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify. If the result shows DisableDeleteNotify = 0, TRIM is active. If it shows 1, TRIM is turned off, and you can enable it by typing fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0 and then restarting your computer.
Next, look at how much space is left on your SSD. If it's nearly full—more than 80% of the drive's capacity—your system may slow down because there's not enough free space for the SSD to operate efficiently. To check this, open File Explorer, right-click your SSD drive, select Properties, and see how much space is used versus free. If it's too full, consider deleting unnecessary files or moving some data elsewhere to free up space. Sometimes, this is the reason why my computer is running slow for Windows 10. Taking these steps can help improve your SSD's speed and overall system performance.
- AmiriooimIron Contributor
"My computer is running slow for Windows 10", Windows 10 is notorious for this, especially with HDDs.
Fix: Disable Superfetch/SysMain
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc
- Find SysMain (formerly Superfetch)
- Right-click → Properties
- Set Startup type: Disabled
- Click Stop → Apply → OK
- Restart immediately
Also check:
Windows Search service - same steps, set to Manual if problematic
Disable Windows Tips: Settings → System → Notifications → Turn off "Get tips and suggestions"What should you do if computer is running slow for Windows 10?
Disable Background Apps:
- Settings → Privacy → Background apps
- Turn off all non-essential apps
Adjust for Performance:
- Right-click This PC → Properties
- Advanced system settings → Performance Settings
- Select Adjust for best performance
OR manually uncheck all except:
✅ Smooth edges of screen fonts
✅ Show thumbnails instead of icons
- carlbidwellCopper Contributor
That sounds really frustrating. If the usual stuff didn’t help, I’d definitely check Task Manager to see if something is constantly using a lot of CPU, memory, or disk. Also, if your PC still has a traditional hard drive instead of an SSD, Windows 10 can feel painfully slow over time. Disabling unnecessary startup apps and making sure Windows/drivers are fully updated can help too. If it keeps happening, it might even be a hardware issue starting to show.
- PorterwerIron Contributor
Here's a description of checking for system file corruption and managing visual effects when your computer is running slow for Windows 10:
Checking for System File Corruption:
When your PC is running slows for Windows 10 one common issue could be corrupted or missing system files. To address this, you can use built-in tools like the System File Checker (SFC). This tool scans your system for any corrupted files and attempts to repair them automatically. Running the SFC scan involves opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and executing the command sfc /scannow. This process can help restore the integrity of your system files, potentially improving performance and stability.
Managing Visual Effects:
Windows 10 has various visual effects, such as animations, shadows, and transparency, which enhance the user interface but can consume system resources. If your computer is slow, reducing or turning off these effects can free up resources and improve speed. You can do this by navigating to the Performance Options—usually accessed through the System Properties or by searching "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows." From there, selecting "Adjust for best performance" or customizing specific visual effects allows you to streamline the interface, making your system run more smoothly.
- PhilipessIron Contributor
If your computer is running slow for Windows 10, considering hardware upgrades or resetting your system can be effective solutions. Here's a brief overview:
Considering Hardware Upgrade:
- Upgrade RAM: Increasing your RAM can significantly improve performance, especially if you run multiple applications simultaneously.
- Switch to SSD: Replacing a traditional HDD with a Solid-State Drive (SSD) can drastically reduce boot times and improve overall responsiveness.
- Upgrade Graphics Card or CPU: For intensive tasks like gaming or video editing, upgrading the GPU or CPU might be beneficial.
- Clean or Replace Hardware: Dust buildup can cause overheating and slowdowns; cleaning or replacing old hardware can help.
Resetting Windows 10 if computer is running slow for Windows 10:
Reset This PC: Windows 10 offers a reset option that reinstalls the OS while keeping your files or removing everything for a fresh start.How to Reset:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Click Get started under Reset this PC.
- Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Resetting can resolve software issues caused by malware, corrupt files, or misconfigurations, but it should be used if hardware upgrades or cleaning haven't improved performance.
- DeclanGrayIron Contributor
Windows 10 Disk Cleanup is actually MORE powerful than Windows 11's for freeing space, especially with the "Clean up system files" option. This is also something I often do on the computer when my computer is running slow for Windows 10. Start with that, then address startup programs for the biggest speed boost.
How to Run Disk Cleanup on Windows 10
Step 1: Open Disk Cleanup
Type Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar (click the Start menu or press the Windows key).
Select Disk Cleanup from the search results.Step 2: Select the Drive
When prompted, choose your C: drive (or the drive where Windows is installed).
Click OK.Step 3: Scan for Files
Disk Cleanup will analyze your drive and present a list of file types you can delete.Step 4: Choose Files to Delete
To free up more space to fix the problem of "my computer is running slow for Windows 10", click Clean up system files. This will relaunch Disk Cleanup with additional options, including old Windows update files, previous Windows installations, etc.Step 5: Confirm and Delete
After selecting, click OK.
Confirm by clicking Delete Files in the prompt. - AmayaIBronze Contributor
"My computer is running slow for Windows 10"-- When your Windows 10 computer is running slow despite basic troubleshooting, there are several potential causes and steps you can take to diagnose and fix the issue. Here's a comprehensive guide:
Possible Causes
- Background processes or startup programs consuming resources
- Insufficient RAM or CPU overload
- Disk issues like fragmentation or a failing drive
- Outdated or corrupted drivers
- Malware or unwanted software
- Windows system files corruption
- Overheating or hardware issues
Troubleshooting Steps & Fixes My computer is Running Slow for Windows 10
1. Check Task Manager for Resource Usage
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Look at the Processes tab to identify programs consuming high CPU, memory, or disk.
End unnecessary processes that are using excessive resources.2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
In Task Manager, go to Startup tab.
Disable programs you don't need launching at startup.
This can significantly improve boot times and overall responsiveness.