How To Make Computer Faster Windows 7

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might assistance speed things up. The tips are listed in guild, and so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then keep to the next ane if information technology doesn't.

One of the best ways to get the most out of your PC is to make sure y'all have the latest version of Windows 11 installed. When you check for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can likewise help improve your PC'southward functioning.

To cheque for updates

Select the Commencement push, then select Settings > Windows Update >Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Practise one of the following:
- If the status says "You're upwardly to date," proceed and check for optional updates.
- If the status says "Updates are bachelor," select Install at present.
Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and see if it seems to run better.

Sometimes an optional update, like a new non-critical commuter, will be bachelor that may aid.

To check for optional updates

Select the Start push, and then select Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
If additional updates are available, select them so select Download & install.
Restart your PC and see if it seems to run better.

For more info about updates, including how you tin can accept them installed automatically, encounter the Windows Update FAQ.

For Windows Update troubleshooting info, see Update Windows and Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.

If your PC still runs slowly, continue to the next tip.

Having many apps, programs, spider web browsers, and then on open at once can tedious down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at in one case can also deadening information technology down quite a fleck. If this is happening, close whatsoever apps, browser tabs, etc., that you don't need and come across if that helps speed up your PC. If it doesn't seem to help, restart your PC and then open up just the apps, programs and browser windows yous need.

To restart your PC

Select the First button, then select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open up but the apps you demand, then close them when you're done.

Sometimes apps that were made for an earlier version of Windows volition still run on Windows 11, just they might slow down your PC. If this happens after y'all open a certain program, check the software visitor'south website for an updated version, or run the Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter

Select Search, type troubleshoot in the search box, and then select Troubleshoot settings > Other troubleshooters.
Under Other, select the Run button side by side toProgram Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having bug with, and so select Next and continue through the troubleshooter.

PC yet running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets you utilise a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to amend your PC'southward performance without opening your PC and adding more than memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, y'all'll demand a USB flash bulldoze or a memory card that has at least 500 MB gratis and a loftier data transfer rate.

To use ReadyBoost

Insert the USB wink drive into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Press and concur (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD carte if you used 1 instead), so select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Use this device.
Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it tin can't, information technology'll let you know.
Later on Windows determines how much costless space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this infinite so ReadyBoost can utilise information technology.

When you wait at the contents of the USB wink drive in File Explorer, you'll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.

Note:ReadyBoost tin can't exist used if Windows is installed on a solid land drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to meliorate its performance.

The paging file is an surface area on your hard disk that Windows uses like memory. There's a setting in Windows 11 that manages the page file size automatically, which can help improve your PC's functioning.

To brand sure automatic page file management is turned on

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced system in the search box, then select View avant-garde system settings, which has Control panel listed underneath it.
In Organisation Properties, select the Advanced tab, then select Settings in the Performance surface area.
In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab, so select Change in the Virtual memory area.
Make certain the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the side by side tip. If it's non, select it and and so restart your PC by selecting the Start > Power > Restart.

Apply your PC and see if it's running amend. If information technology's not, endeavour the adjacent tip.

You may improve performance if you costless some disk space on your PC.

To check for low disk space

Select the Start button, and then select Settings> System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Your drives volition be listed in the Storage surface area. Notation the corporeality of free space and total size for each drive.

Note:If your PC is not low on space, try the next tip.

You tin employ Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can too costless up space.

If you lot turn on Storage Sense, Windows volition automatically free upward space past getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when yous're low on disk space or at intervals you specify. The instructions below show you lot how to delete temporary files and how to plough on and configure Storage Sense.

If you can't find Storage Sense on your device using the post-obit steps, encounter the "Costless up space with Disk cleanup" department below instead.

Note:You may not want to delete temporary files to improve performance. While these files may non be used at the moment, they help your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Open Settings, and so select Organization > Storage.
Open up Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Note: If you don't see Temporary files listed, select Evidence more than categories.
Windows will take a few moments to make up one's mind what files and apps are taking upward the well-nigh space on your PC.
Select the items yous want to delete, so select Remove files.

To run into what'due south in your Recycle Bin before you empty information technology, open information technology from your desktop. If you don't run across the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, type recycle bin, then select Recycle Bin from the list of results.

Notation:Windows moves files yous delete to the Recycle Bin in example you change your listen and demand them over again in the hereafter. You might be able to free up a meaning corporeality of infinite by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Open Settings, and then selectArrangement> Storage.
Open up Storage settings
In the Storage management expanse, turn on Storage Sense.
Select the > for Storage Sense to configure it.
Under Cleanup of temporary files, ensure Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning up temporary organisation and app files is checked.
Under Configure cleanup schedules, choose how often you want Storage Sense to run.
For the files you desire Storage Sense to delete (your choices are files in your Recycle Bin and in your Downloads folder), select the preferred time intervals, or select Never if yous want Storage Sense to leave those types of files lonely.
Scroll down and select Run Storage Sense at present.
Windows will have a few moments to clean upwardly your files, and then you lot'll see a message indicating how much deejay space has been freed upwards.

If your arrangement doesn't have Storage Sense, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool to delete temporary files and system files from your device.

To run Deejay Cleanup

Select Search, blazon deejay cleanup, then select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox next to the blazon of files you want to delete. (To view a description of each type of file, select the name.) By default, Downloaded Plan Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Be sure to articulate those check boxes if you lot don't want to delete those files.
To free up fifty-fifty more than space, select Make clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will have a few moments to summate the corporeality of space that a can be freed upward.

Note:If it's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows eleven, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a arrangement file yous can delete. If you need to free upwards drive space, you can delete it, merely go along in heed that you'll be deleting your Windows.old folder, which contains files that give you the option to become dorsum to your previous version of Windows. If you delete your previous version of Windows, this can't be undone. (You won't be able to go back to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you lot want to delete, select OK, so select Delete files in the confirmation window to start the cleanup.

If your PC still runs slowly, try uninstalling apps y'all don't employ anymore.

To uninstall apps you don't use anymore

Select the Start button, so select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Open Apps & features settings
Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are using the almost space.
When you notice an app to remove, select the More icon adjacent to it and, if possible, select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and run across if performance has improved.

If your PC still runs slowly, endeavor moving files to another drive.

If you have photos, music, or other files that y'all want to continue only don't utilise frequently, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB bulldoze. Yous'll still exist able to use them when the drive is connected, but they won't take up space on your PC.

To motility files to another bulldoze

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorerfrom the taskbar and find the files you want to move.
Select the files, get toHome, then select Motility to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, and so select Motility.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

Get more info about freeing drive space in Windows.

If your PC still runs slowly, try the side by side tip.

Windows 11 includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow effects. These look great, but they can also utilize additional organization resources and tin can boring down your PC. This is particularly truthful if you have a PC with a smaller amount of memory (RAM).

To suit the visual effects in Windows

Select Search, type performance, and then select Adjust the advent and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Furnishings tab, select Adjust for all-time performance > Apply.
Restart your PC and see if that speeds up your PC.

If your PC still runs slowly, continue to the next tip.

Your PC settings let yous choose where files will be saved by default. You can save files on your PC or to OneDrive past default and sync files between the 2 locations. This lets y'all get to your files from whatever device that can connect to the internet, and information technology helps brand sure your files are backed up in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. However, files must sync betwixt your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can slow down your PC. You tin break OneDrive syncing temporarily and meet if it helps improve your PC performance.

To pause syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive most the notification area.
SelectOneDrive > Help & Settings > Pause syncing,and and then cull how long you want to break syncing your files.
Restart your PC and see if your performance issues have improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive > Help & Settings> Resume syncing.

You tin can likewise visit Set OneDrive sync problems to check for any sync issues.

When you turn on your PC, some programs beginning automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs then they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. Y'all don't realize they're running, but they'll open chop-chop when y'all go to use them. This is helpful for programs you employ a lot, but not for programs you don't use often because it increases the time it takes Windows to start.

Detect the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you can determine which programs showtime automatically by looking at the plan icons in the notification area on the far right of the taskbar. Check there first to see if there are any programs running that you don't want to beginning automatically. To try to find out the name of the programme, point to the icon with your mouse arrow. Make sure you lot select Bear witness hidden icons , and so yous don't miss any programs.

Even afterward you check the notification area, y'all might nonetheless miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Hither's how yous can find all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you don't want to beginning automatically when Windows starts.

To finish a program from starting automatically

Select the Startpush, and so selectSettings >Apps>Startup.
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps expanse, find the program you want to stop from starting automatically and set it toOff.

Note:If you turn off a program and information technology continues to start automatically when Windows starts, you should scan for viruses and malware. Encounter the adjacent department for more info.

A virus, malware, or malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected pop-upward letters, programs that unexpectedly showtime automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

The best fashion to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping information technology up to date. However, even if you accept precautions, your PC tin all the same become infected.

You tin can browse your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 11. For more than info, see How to protect your Windows PC.

Notes:

If you're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, see the documentation for that program to learn how to scan for viruses. Also, make certain multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, cull the i yous want to run, and so disable or uninstall any others.
If you take another antivirus plan installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security

Select Starting time > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security,so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, and so select Protection updates under Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Bank check for updates to make sure you accept the most contempo updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan.

Wait for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Do i of the following, depending on the results of the browse:
- Run the recommended avant-garde scan. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and tin can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are institute, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem yous were having with your PC.

Note:If Windows Security doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or can't terminate scanning for viruses, try running Microsoft Defender Offline, which is explained below.

To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline

Relieve any documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
SelectStart > Settings> Privacy & security > Windows Security, and so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then under Current threats, select Scan options > Microsoft Defender Offline scan > Scan now.

Your PC will restart, and Microsoft Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might accept 15 minutes or then, and your PC will restart again after that.
Endeavor to reproduce the performance issue.

If your PC still runs slowly, go on to the next tip.

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing problems. If you think a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could be causing problems, you might get things running usually again by restoring your PC to an earlier betoken, called a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore bespeak won't bear on your personal files, just it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed later on the restore point was created.
System restore works for changes made in the last 7 to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced system, and then select View advanced system settings from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Recommended restore to go with the well-nigh contempo restore bespeak Windows has made automatically, or Choose a different restore point to select one yourself, then selectSide by side.
If you chose to select a different restore indicate, select one, then select Next. Either style, select Finish to begin restoring.
One time the restore is completed, restart your PC and meet if functioning has improved.

If yous don't see any restore points, it might exist considering system protection isn't turned on.

To plow on organization protection

In the search box on the taskbar, type create a restore point, then select Create a restore signal from the listing of results.
On the Organisation Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Plow on system protection > OK.

If your PC is running slowly, the post-obit suggestions might help speed things upwardly. The tips are listed in lodge, so start with the first 1, see if that helps, and then continue to the side by side 1 if information technology doesn't.

One of the best ways to become the nearly out of your PC is to make sure you lot have the latest version of Windows 10 installed. When you check for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which tin also assist improve your PC'southward functioning.

To bank check for updates

Select the Offset push, so select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Bank check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Do 1 of the following:
- If the status says "You lot're upwardly to date," go to the next tip.
- If the condition says "Updates are available," select Install at present.
Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and encounter if it seems to run ameliorate.

For more info about updates, including how yous can have them installed automatically, see the Windows Update FAQ.

For Windows Update troubleshooting info, see Update Windows 10 and Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10.

If your PC all the same runs slowly, continue to the side by side tip.

Having many apps, programs, web browsers, and then on open at once can slow down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at in one case can also slow information technology down quite a flake. If this is happening, shut any apps, browser tabs, etc., that you lot don't demand and encounter if that helps speed up your PC. If it doesn't seem to help, restart your PC and and so open just the apps, programs and browser windows you lot demand.

To restart your PC

Select the Get-go button, then select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open but the apps you need, then close them when you're washed.

Sometimes apps that were fabricated for an earlier version of Windows will nevertheless run on Windows 10, merely they might dull downward your PC. If this happens after yous open a certain program, check the software company's website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

In the search box on the taskbar, type troubleshoot, and then select Troubleshoot settings, which has Organization settings listed underneath it.
In the listing of troubleshooters, select Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter > Run the troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having problems with, and then select Next and continue through the troubleshooter.

PC notwithstanding running slowly? Go along to the side by side tip.

ReadyBoost lets you lot use a removable bulldoze, similar a USB flash bulldoze, to improve your PC's performance without opening your PC and adding more retentiveness (RAM). To employ ReadyBoost, yous'll need a USB wink drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB gratis and a loftier data transfer charge per unit.

To use ReadyBoost

Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Press and agree (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if you used i instead), then select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Use this device.
Windows determines if the device can utilize ReadyBoost. If it tin't, it'll permit you know.
Later on Windows determines how much free space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can apply it.

When you await at the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer, you'll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash bulldoze. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.

Note:ReadyBoost tin't be used if Windows is installed on a solid state bulldoze (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't exist able to better its operation.

The paging file is an surface area on your hd that Windows uses similar retention. There's a setting in Windows 10 that manages the folio file size automatically, which can aid amend your PC's performance.

To make sure automatic folio file direction is turned on

In the search box on the taskbar, type avant-garde organisation, and then select View avant-garde arrangement settings, which has Control panel listed underneath it.
In Organisation Backdrop, select the Avant-garde tab, then select Settings in the Operation area.
In Performance Options, select the Avant-garde tab, then select Change in the Virtual retention expanse.
Brand certain the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives cheque box is selected. If it is, go along to the next tip. If it's not, select it and and then restart your PC by selecting the Start push button > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and see if information technology's running amend. If it's not, effort the adjacent tip.

You may amend functioning if y'all free some disk space on your PC.

To check for low deejay space

Select the Offset button, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open up Storage settings
Your drives will be listed in the Storage area. Note the amount of free space and total size for each drive.

Annotation:If your PC is not depression on space, try the adjacent tip.

You lot tin apply Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which tin can as well free up infinite.

If you plough on Storage Sense, Windows will automatically complimentary up space by getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you're depression on disk space or at intervals you specify. The instructions below bear witness yous how to delete temporary files and how to turn on and configure Storage Sense.

If you can't find Storage Sense on your device using the following steps, encounter the "Free up space with Disk cleanup" department below instead.

Note:You may not want to delete temporary files to improve performance. While these files may non be used at the moment, they help your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Annotation: If you don't run across Temporary files listed, select Show more than categories.
Windows will take a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking up the most space on your PC.
Select the items you want to delete, and then select Remove files.

To see what's in your Recycle Bin earlier you empty it, open up it from your desktop. If you don't see the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, type recycle bin, then select Recycle Bin from the listing of results.

Notation:Windows moves files yous delete to the Recycle Bin in case you change your mind and need them again in the time to come. You might be able to costless up a significant corporeality of space past deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Select the Beginning push, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
In the Storage area, turn on Storage Sense.
Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
In theStorage Sense area, choose how frequently you desire Storage Sense to run.
In the Temporary Files area, select Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using.
Select which files you want Storage Sense to delete (your choices are files in your Recycle Bin and in your Downloads folder), then select the respective time intervals.
Scroll downward and select Clean now.
Windows will have a few moment to clean up your files, and then you'll see a bulletin indicating how much deejay infinite has been freed upwardly.

If your system doesn't have Storage Sense, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool to delete temporary files and system files from your device.

To run Disk Cleanup

In the search box on the taskbar, type disk cleanup, then select Deejay Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox next to the type of files y'all want to delete. (To view a description of each blazon of file, select the proper name.) By default, Downloaded Programme Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Exist sure to articulate those check boxes if you don't want to delete those files.
To gratuitous up fifty-fifty more space, select Clean up system files. Deejay Cleanup volition take a few moments to calculate the amount of space that a tin be freed up.

Annotation:If information technology's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows ten, your previous version of Windows will be listed every bit a system file yous can delete. If you need to free upwardly drive space, you tin can delete it, but keep in mind that y'all'll exist deleting your Windows.quondam folder, which contains files that give you the option to go back to your previous version of Windows. If you delete your previous version of Windows, this tin't be undone. (Yous won't be able to become dorsum to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you want to delete, select OK, then select Delete files in the confirmation window to starting time the cleanup.

If your PC still runs slowly, try uninstalling apps y'all don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps you don't use anymore

Select the Start button, so select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Open Apps & features settings
Search for a specific app or sort them to run into which ones are using the near space.
When you find an app to remove, choose it from the list and select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

If your PC still runs slowly, attempt moving files to another drive.

If you accept photos, music, or other files that you want to keep but don't utilize often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. You'll still be able to apply them when the drive is connected, but they won't take up infinite on your PC.

To move files to another drive

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar and find the files you want to move.
Select the files, go toHome, then select Move to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

Become more info about freeing drive space in Windows 10.

If your PC still runs slowly, try the next tip.

Windows 10 includes many visual effects, such every bit animations and shadow effects. These look neat, just they can likewise employ boosted organisation resources and tin tedious down your PC. This is especially true if you have a PC with a smaller amount of memory (RAM).

To adjust the visual furnishings in Windows

In the search box on the taskbar, blazon performance, then select Arrange the advent and operation of Windows in the listing of results.
On the Visual Furnishings tab, select Adjust for all-time functioning > Apply.
Restart your PC and see if that speeds upwards your PC.

If your PC even so runs slowly, go along to the next tip.

Your PC settings let y'all cull where files will be saved by default. Yous can save files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files between the two locations. This lets you get to your files from any device that tin can connect to the internet, and it helps make sure your files are backed upward in case your PC is e'er damaged or lost. However, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can slow down your PC. You tin can suspension OneDrive syncing temporarily and see if information technology helps meliorate your PC performance.

To pause syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, expect forOneDrive near the notification area.
SelectOneDrive >More than > Break syncing,so choose how long you want to pause syncing your files.
Restart your PC and come across if your performance issues accept improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive >More> Resume syncing.

You lot tin can besides visit Fix OneDrive sync problems to check for any sync bug.

Notes:

If you lot have Window 10 version 1709 or college, you can utilize OneDrive Files On-Demand to choose which files yous desire to sync and e'er continue on your PC. This can help improve PC performance if you reduce the number of files that are synced to your PC. To come across which version of Windows ten your device is currently running, select the Commencement push, then select Settings > Arrangement > Nigh.
Open About settings
For more info on OneDrive Files On-Demand, run into Learn about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

When you plough on your PC, some programs outset automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs then they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. Yous don't realize they're running, but they'll open up quickly when you go to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but non for programs y'all don't use often because it increases the time information technology takes Windows to start.

Observe the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you tin can make up one's mind which programs start automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification expanse on the far right of the taskbar. Bank check there first to come across if there are any programs running that you don't want to offset automatically. To try to find out the name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make certain you select Testify hidden icons , so you don't miss any programs.

Show hidden icons in the notification area

Notification area with mouse pointing to show subconscious icons

Even after you bank check the notification area, you might notwithstanding miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here's how you tin can find all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you lot don't want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a program from starting automatically

Select the First button, and so selectSettings >Apps >Startup .
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps area, find the program you want to stop from starting automatically and set it toOff.

Notes:

If you plow off a program and it continues to outset automatically when Windows starts, y'all should scan for viruses and malware. See the adjacent department for more info.
To use the procedure to a higher place to stop a program from starting automatically, you need to have Windows 10 (Version 1803 or college) installed. To meet which version of Windows x your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > Organization > About.
Open Most settings
If you take Windows ten (Version 1709 or before) installed, printing Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager, select Startup, select the programme you lot want to stop from starting automatically, so select Disable.

A virus, malware, or malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected popular-up messages, programs that unexpectedly kickoff automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to endeavour to forestall them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to engagement. However, even if you take precautions, your PC can all the same become infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software past using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 10. For more info, see How to protect your Windows 10 PC.

Notes:

If you lot're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, run into the documentation for that program to learn how to scan for viruses. As well, brand certain multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, choose the 1 you want to run, and then disable or uninstall whatever others.
If yous take another antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security (Windows ten Version 1809 or after)

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and and so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, then select Check for updates under Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Check for updates to make sure you lot have the nearly recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick browse.

Expect for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Do ane of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced scan. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Security doesn't open, tin can't update the definition file, or can't finish scanning for viruses, try running Windows Defender Offline, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows x Version 1809 or later).
To see which version of Windows x your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > About.
Open Well-nigh settings

To scan for viruses using Windows Defender Security Eye (Windows 10 Version 1803)

SelectOffset > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then select Open Windows Defender Security Heart.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Virus & threat protection updates > Cheque for updates to make sure you have the latest definition file.
Select theVirus & threat protection tab, then select Browse now.

Wait for Windows Defender Security Center to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Do ane of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced scan. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Defender Security Center finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Back up for aid.
- If no viruses are institute, restart your PC and attempt to reproduce the performance trouble you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Defender Security Eye doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or can't cease scanning for viruses, endeavor running Windows Defender in Offline Mode, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803).
To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Well-nigh.
Open About settings

To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1809 or later)

Save whatsoever documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen up Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then nether Current threats, select Scan options > Windows Defender Offline scan > Browse now.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline volition run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might accept 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again subsequently that.
Try to reproduce the performance issue.

If your PC nonetheless runs slowly, keep to the adjacent tip.

To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows x Version 1803)

Relieve any documents or anything else you might have open up on your PC.
SelectBeginning > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen up Windows Defender Security Centre.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Run a new advanced browse > Windows Defender Offline scan > Scan at present.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again after that.
Endeavour to reproduce the performance issue.

If your PC still runs slowly, go along to the next tip.

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing problems. If you lot think a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could exist causing bug, you might go things running normally again by restoring your PC to an earlier betoken, called a restore betoken.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore point won't affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed after the restore point was created.
System restore works for changes made in the last 7 to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

In the search box on the taskbar, type restore indicate, then select Create a restore point from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Adjacent, then choose the restore indicate related to the app, driver, or update that might be causing the problem. And then selectAdjacent > End.
Restart your PC and run across if performance has improved.

If you don't see any restore points, it might exist because organisation protection isn't turned on.

To plough on system protection

In the search box on the taskbar, type restore bespeak, so select Create a restore point from the listing of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Turn on system protection > OK.