Computer Running Slowly

Issue/Question

I have restarted my computer several times but it continues to run slowly.

My laptop is running slowly

My computer is running slowly

The computer is very slow

Environment

• Microsoft Windows

Cause

Multiple Causes

Resolution

Update computer:

1. Follow article Computer Needing Updates

Clear Temporary files:

1. Press +E
2. Open THIS PC for Windows 10 & 11 or MY COMPUTER for Windows 7 & 8
3. Click C: drive
4. Click Windows folder
5. Click Temp
6. Press CTRL+A
7. Press SHIFT+DELETE
8. Confirm deletion
9. Restart computer

Remove Unnecessary Programs:

1. Right click
2. Click Settings
3. Click Apps
4. Uninstall unnecessary programs

Remove Unnecessary Items from Startup

Windows 11

1. Right click Taskbar
2. Select Task Manager
3. Click Startup Apps icon at left
4. Right Click item to be removed from startup
5. Select Disable
6. Close Task Manager

Windows 10 & 8

1. Right click Taskbar
2. Select Task Manager
3. Click More Details
4. Click Startup tab
5. Right Click item to be removed from startup
6. Select Disable
7. Close Task Manager

Windows 7

1. Press  +R
2. Type MSCONFIG
3. Press Enter
4. Select Startup
5. Uncheck items to remove from startup
6. Click OK
7. Click Restart 

Change Power Options settings

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click Power Options
3. On current selected Preferred plans click Change plan settings
4. Verify Turn off the display and Put the computer to sleep are set to Never
5. Click Change plan settings
6. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable if settings displayed are greyed out
7. Verify Balanced - Require a password on wakeup - Setting is set to No
8. Click next to Allow hybrid sleep 
   1. Verify Setting is set to Off
   2. If not, click On and change to Off
9. Click next to Hibernate after
   1. Verify Setting is set to Never
   2. If not, click xx Minutes and change to 0
10. Click OK