To speed up a Windows 10 computer, restart it, install Windows updates, and turn off apps you don’t need at startup in Task Manager > Startup. Then free up disk space with Storage Sense and run a virus scan. Those steps fix most slow PCs. The tips below go from quickest to most involved.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.
1. Restart your PC
Select Start > Power > Restart. A restart clears memory and finishes pending updates. Shut down doesn’t always do this, because Windows 10 uses Fast startup.
2. Install Windows and driver updates
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- Install anything offered, then restart.
- Select View optional updates to find driver updates.
See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
3. Stop apps from opening at startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Select More details if you see a small window.
- Select the Startup tab.
- Select an app with High startup impact that you don’t need right away, then select Disable.
Disabling doesn’t uninstall the app. You can still open it from the Start menu. Leave security software and your touchpad or audio tools turned on.
4. Free up disk space
A nearly full C: drive slows everything down. Aim to keep at least 10 to 15 percent free.
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense so Windows deletes temporary files automatically.
- Select Temporary files, check what you want to remove, and select Remove files.
You can also search Start for Disk Cleanup and select Clean up system files. See how to clean the C drive in Windows 10 without formatting.
5. Uninstall apps you don’t use
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select an app, and select Uninstall. Unused apps take space and may run in the background.
6. Scan for malware
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and select Quick scan. Malware can use your processor and disk without you noticing.
7. Turn off background apps
Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off apps that don’t need to run when you aren’t using them.
8. Adjust visual effects
- Select Start, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows, and open it.
- On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance, then OK.
This helps most on older PCs. See how to change performance settings in Windows 10.
9. Use a faster power mode
On a laptop, select the battery icon on the taskbar and drag the slider toward Best performance. On a desktop, search for Choose a power plan and pick High performance if it’s listed. See how to change power settings in Windows 10.
10. Optimize your drive
Search Start for Defragment and Optimize Drives, select your drive, and select Optimize. Windows defragments hard drives and trims SSDs, so it’s safe for both.
11. Find what’s slowing it down
Open Task Manager and select the Processes tab. Select the CPU, Memory, or Disk column to sort by use. If one app is always near the top, update it, close it, or uninstall it.
12. Consider an upgrade
If none of this helps, the hardware may be the limit. The biggest improvements usually come from:
- Replacing a hard drive with an SSD. This often makes an older PC feel several times faster.
- Adding memory. 8 GB of RAM or more helps if you keep many tabs and apps open.
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so security updates now need Extended Security Updates. If your PC can run Windows 11, upgrading is also worth considering. See how to upgrade Windows 10 to 11.
Frequently asked questions
Do PC cleaner or booster apps help?
Usually not. Windows already has the tools above. Some “booster” apps add ads or unwanted software and can make things slower.
Why is my PC slow right after startup?
Windows and apps finish updating and syncing in the first few minutes. Too many startup apps make this worse. Tip 3 helps most. If you have since upgraded, the steps are a little different, so see how to change startup programs in Windows 11.
Will resetting Windows speed it up?
Often, yes, but you’ll need to reinstall your apps, as our guide to resetting Windows 10 settings explains. Try the tips above first.
If the PC also crashes or freezes, see how to check event logs in Windows 10. On a laptop with short battery life, see how to check battery health in Windows 10.
To clear out leftover files, see how to delete temporary files in Windows 10.
To clear browser and system caches, see how to clear the cache in Windows 10.
To see how shutdown and startup speed are linked, see how to turn fast startup on or off in Windows 10.
To see how much memory your PC has and how fast it runs, see how to check RAM in Windows 10.
If your PC slowed down suddenly, check for malware. See how to scan for and remove malware in Windows 10.
If memory is running low, see how to free up RAM in Windows 10.
To keep apps from running when you are not using them, see how to close apps running in the background on Windows 10.
To see which apps are slowing your PC down, see how to check CPU usage in Windows 10.
For more help, see how to disable startup programs in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Tips to improve PC performance in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Skip registry cleaners, which can do more harm than good. See whether you should clean the registry in Windows 10 with CMD.
On Windows 11? See how to clear memory (RAM) on Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.