Why does my computer work better in Safe Mode?

Safe Mode loads only basic Windows drivers and a small set of services. Most startup programs, third-party services and advanced drivers are disabled. If the computer works much better there, the problem is probably something that loads during a normal startup rather than the processor or memory itself.

The best way to identify it is a clean boot:

1. Press Win + R, enter msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Open the Services tab.
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services. Do not skip this step.
4. Select Disable all.
5. Open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
6. Disable all enabled startup applications.
7. Restart Windows normally and test the computer.

If performance is now normal, re-enable half of the disabled services and startup apps, then restart and test again. Continue enabling smaller groups until the slowdown returns. The last group you enabled contains the likely cause; test those items one at a time.

While the slowdown is happening, also open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and sort the Processes list by CPU, Memory and Disk. This may immediately reveal an application using excessive resources.

If a clean boot does not help, look at the drivers that Safe Mode replaces or disables. Start with the graphics, storage, chipset and network drivers. Install them from the computer manufacturer rather than using a general driver-update program. If the problem began immediately after a driver update, use Device Manager > device properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver, when available.

After testing, return to msconfig and select Normal startup, then re-enable the startup items you want to keep. Avoid disabling Microsoft services permanently.

Safe Mode uses a limited set of Microsoft drivers and services, so the performance improvement strongly suggests something loaded only during a normal start. Perform a clean boot using Microsoft’s procedure, then compare performance. If the clean boot is fast, re-enable disabled services in halves and restart after each change until the slowdown returns; repeat with Task Manager > Startup apps. Keep security and Microsoft services enabled while testing. In Task Manager, sort Processes by CPU, Disk, Memory, and GPU during a slowdown and record the consumer. Update chipset, storage, graphics, audio, and network drivers from the PC manufacturer, or roll back the driver whose installation matches the first occurrence. Run a Microsoft Defender scan and verify adequate free disk space. If a clean boot remains slow, test a new Windows profile and run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow. Avoid registry cleaners because they obscure the comparison.

Open Device Manager, and for anything that isn't a core Microsoft component (GPU driver, network adapter, audio, RGB/lighting software, chipset utilities, capture card software) check Properties → Driver → Driver Date.

A driver that's old, beta, or was recently auto-updated is a common cause of background CPU usage or disk thrashing that only shows up in full driver mode, not Safe Mode.

After restarting, your PC will be in a "clean boot" state. If your PC now runs smoothly, you know the problem is caused by one of the disabled items.