How To Speed Up Windows 10 On An Old Laptop

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might aid speed things upwardly. The tips are listed in order, so start with the commencement i, come across if that helps, and and so continue to the side by side one if it doesn't.

One of the best means to get the most out of your PC is to make sure you have the latest version of Windows 11 installed. When y'all check for updates, your PC volition besides search for the latest device drivers, which tin also aid improve your PC's functioning.

To bank check for updates

Select the First button, then select Settings > Windows Update >Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Do one of the following:
- If the condition says "You're up to date," go along and check for optional updates.
- 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 see if it seems to run better.

Sometimes an optional update, similar a new non-critical driver, will exist available that may help.

To check for optional updates

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

For more than info about updates, including how you can have them installed automatically, come across the Windows Update FAQ.

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

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

Having many apps, programs, spider web browsers, and so on open at in one case can slow down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open up at one time tin also irksome information technology downwardly quite a bit. If this is happening, shut whatever apps, browser tabs, etc., that you lot don't need and see if that helps speed up your PC. If information technology doesn't seem to assist, restart your PC and and then open merely the apps, programs and browser windows you lot demand.

To restart your PC

Select the Commencement push button, then select Ability > Restart.
Subsequently your PC restarts, open but the apps you lot need, then close them when y'all're done.

Sometimes apps that were fabricated for an before version of Windows will however run on Windows 11, but they might tedious down your PC. If this happens after y'all open up a certain program, check the software visitor'south website for an updated version, or run the Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Select Search, blazon troubleshoot in the search box, and so select Troubleshoot settings > Other troubleshooters.
Under Other, select the Run button next toProgramme Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having problems with, then select Side by side and go on through the troubleshooter.

PC even so running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to amend your PC's functioning without opening your PC and adding more than memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, you'll need a USB wink bulldoze or a memory card that has at to the lowest degree 500 MB gratis and a high information transfer rate.

To utilise ReadyBoost

Insert the USB wink drive into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Printing and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if y'all used i instead), and then select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Utilize this device.
Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it can't, it'll let you know.
Subsequently Windows determines how much free infinite to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this infinite so ReadyBoost tin apply information technology.

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

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

The paging file is an surface area on your hard disk drive that Windows uses like retentiveness. There's a setting in Windows eleven that manages the page file size automatically, which can assistance meliorate your PC's performance.

To make sure automatic folio file management is turned on

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced system in the search box, and then select View advanced organisation settings, which has Command console listed underneath it.
In Organisation Properties, select the Advanced tab, and so select Settings in the Performance surface area.
In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab, and so select Change in the Virtual retention area.
Brand sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the next tip. If it's non, select it and then restart your PC by selecting the Start > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and run across if it's running improve. If it'due south non, try the next tip.

You may improve functioning if yous gratuitous some deejay space on your PC.

To check for low disk space

Select the Start button, then select Settings> Arrangement > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Your drives will exist 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, endeavor the next tip.

You can use Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which tin can also free up space.

If y'all turn on Storage Sense, Windows volition automatically costless upwards infinite by getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you're low on deejay space or at intervals yous specify. The instructions beneath evidence you lot how to delete temporary files and how to turn on and configure Storage Sense.

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

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

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

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

To run across what'southward in your Recycle Bin earlier you empty it, open it from your desktop. If y'all don't come 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.

Annotation:Windows moves files y'all delete to the Recycle Bin in example y'all modify your mind and need them once again in the future. You might be able to complimentary upward a significant corporeality of space by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files yous've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Open Settings, so selectSystem> Storage.
Open Storage settings
In the Storage direction area, turn on Storage Sense.
Select the > for Storage Sense to configure it.
Nether 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 frequently you desire Storage Sense to run.
For the files yous want Storage Sense to delete (your choices are files in your Recycle Bin and in your Downloads binder), select the preferred fourth dimension intervals, or select Never if you want Storage Sense to leave those types of files solitary.
Scroll down and select Run Storage Sense at present.
Windows will take a few moments to clean upward your files, and then you'll see a message indicating how much disk space has been freed upward.

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

To run Disk Cleanup

Select Search, type disk cleanup, then select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox next to the type of files you want to delete. (To view a description of each type of file, select the proper name.) By default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Net Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Exist sure to clear those bank check boxes if yous don't desire to delete those files.
To gratuitous up even more space, select Make clean up system files. Deejay Cleanup will take a few moments to calculate the amount of space that a can exist freed up.

Note:If it's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows 11, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a system file you can delete. If you need to free upwardly drive space, you can delete information technology, simply proceed in mind that you'll be deleting your Windows.former folder, which contains files that give you the pick to go 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 dorsum to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you lot want to delete, select OK, and then select Delete files in the confirmation window to starting time the cleanup.

If your PC even so runs slowly, try uninstalling apps y'all don't apply anymore.

To uninstall apps you lot don't use anymore

Select the Showtime button, then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Open up Apps & features settings
Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are using the nearly space.
When you find an app to remove, select the More icon next to it and, if possible, select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if operation has improved.

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

If you lot have photos, music, or other files that yous desire to proceed but don't use often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. You'll still be able to utilise them when the bulldoze is connected, but they won't take up infinite on your PC.

To motion files to some other drive

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorerfrom the taskbar and find the files you want to move.
Select the files, get toDwelling, and then select Move to > Cull location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and run into if performance has improved.

Get more info about freeing drive space in Windows.

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

Windows eleven includes many visual effects, such every bit animations and shadow furnishings. These look cracking, but they can as well use additional system resources and can boring 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

Select Search, type performance, then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance > Apply.
Restart your PC and see if that speeds upwardly your PC.

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

Your PC settings permit yous cull where files volition be saved by default. You can save files on your PC or to OneDrive past default and sync files betwixt the two locations. This lets you go to your files from whatsoever device that tin can connect to the internet, and it helps make sure your files are backed upward in example your PC is ever damaged or lost. Withal, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can slow down your PC. You lot can pause OneDrive syncing temporarily and come across if it helps improve your PC operation.

To intermission syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, expect forOneDrive near the notification area.
SelectOneDrive > Assistance & Settings > Pause syncing,and then choose how long you desire to pause 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.

Yous tin also visit Fix OneDrive sync problems to check for any sync issues.

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

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

Find the programs that beginning automatically

Sometimes you can decide which programs beginning automatically by looking at the plan icons in the notification area on the far correct of the taskbar. Check there first to come across if there are any programs running that you don't want to start automatically. To try to find out the proper name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Brand sure you lot select Show subconscious icons , so you don't miss whatever programs.

Even after you lot check the notification expanse, you might all the same miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here'southward how you tin can discover all the programs that beginning automatically, and stop the ones that you don't want to starting time automatically when Windows starts.

To end a program from starting automatically

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

Note:If you turn off a program and it continues to get-go automatically when Windows starts, you should scan for viruses and malware. See the next department for more info.

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

The all-time style to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to date. However, even if you accept precautions, your PC can nevertheless become infected.

You lot tin scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software past using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 11. For more info, run across How to protect your Windows PC.

Notes:

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

To scan for viruses using Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security,and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, then select Protection updates nether Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Bank check for updates to make certain you have the most recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, and so select Quick scan.

Await for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Practice one 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 plant, restart your PC and effort to reproduce the performance trouble yous were having with your PC.

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

To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline

Save any documents or anything else y'all might accept open up on your PC.
SelectOutset > Settings> Privacy & security > Windows Security, and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then under Electric current threats, select Browse options > Microsoft Defender Offline scan > Scan now.

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

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

Restoring your PC undoes contempo changes that might be causing problems. If you call up a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could be causing problems, y'all might get things running ordinarily over again by restoring your PC to an earlier point, chosen a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore betoken won't affect your personal files, only it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed later 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 indicate

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced system, then select View advanced system settings from the list of results.
On the Arrangement Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Recommended restore to go with the most recent restore point Windows has fabricated automatically, or Choose a different restore point to select i yourself, then selectSide by side.
If yous chose to select a dissimilar restore point, select i, then select Next. Either way, select Terminate to begin restoring.
In one case the restore is completed, restart your PC and run across if performance has improved.

If you lot don't see any restore points, information technology might be because organisation protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

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

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might assist speed things up. The tips are listed in social club, so start with the offset one, see if that helps, and so continue to the next i if it doesn't.

One of the all-time ways to go the almost out of your PC is to make certain you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed. When you bank check for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can also help improve your PC's performance.

To check for updates

Select the Get-go button, and so select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Do 1 of the post-obit:
- If the status says "You're upwards to date," go to the adjacent tip.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and encounter if it seems to run better.

For more than info nigh updates, including how you can have them installed automatically, see the Windows Update FAQ.

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

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

Having many apps, programs, spider web browsers, so on open at once tin can slow down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at once can also slow information technology down quite a scrap. If this is happening, close whatever apps, browser tabs, etc., that y'all don't need and meet if that helps speed upwards your PC. If information technology doesn't seem to help, restart your PC and then open up just the apps, programs and browser windows you need.

To restart your PC

Select the Start push button, then select Power > Restart.
Subsequently your PC restarts, open just the apps you need, so close them when you're done.

Sometimes apps that were fabricated for an earlier version of Windows will yet run on Windows ten, but they might slow down your PC. If this happens after you open a sure plan, check the software company'south 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, then select Troubleshoot settings, which has System settings listed underneath it.
In the listing of troubleshooters, select Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter > Run the troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having issues with, then select Next and continue through the troubleshooter.

PC still running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets y'all utilise a removable drive, similar a USB flash drive, to improve your PC's performance without opening your PC and adding more retentiveness (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, you'll demand a USB flash drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB complimentary and a loftier data transfer charge per unit.

To utilize ReadyBoost

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

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

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

The paging file is an expanse on your hard disk that Windows uses like memory. At that place'due south a setting in Windows 10 that manages the page file size automatically, which can assistance improve your PC's performance.

To make certain automatic page file management is turned on

In the search box on the taskbar, type advanced system, and and so select View advanced organisation settings, which has Control panel listed underneath it.
In Organisation Backdrop, select the Advanced tab, then select Settings in the Functioning area.
In Functioning Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Modify in the Virtual memory surface area.
Make certain the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If information technology is, continue to the adjacent tip. If it'southward not, select it and and so restart your PC by selecting the Offset button > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and come across if it'due south running better. If it's not, try the next tip.

You lot may better operation if you free some deejay infinite on your PC.

To check for low disk space

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

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

You can utilize Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can as well free upwards space.

If yous turn on Storage Sense, Windows will automatically gratis up space past getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you're low on deejay space or at intervals you specify. The instructions beneath show you lot how to delete temporary files and how to plow on and configure Storage Sense.

If you can't find Storage Sense on your device using the post-obit steps, meet the "Free up space with Disk cleanup" section beneath instead.

Annotation:You may not desire to delete temporary files to improve operation. While these files may non be used at the moment, they assistance your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Arrangement > Storage .
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Note: If y'all don't see Temporary files listed, select Prove more than categories.
Windows volition have a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking upwardly the near space on your PC.
Select the items yous want to delete, and then select Remove files.

To meet what'south in your Recycle Bin earlier you empty information technology, open it from your desktop. If you lot 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 list of results.

Notation:Windows moves files you delete to the Recycle Bin in case you modify your mind and need them once more in the future. You might be able to costless up a meaning corporeality of space by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Select the Start push, so select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
In the Storage surface area, turn on Storage Sense.
Select Configure Storage Sense or run information technology now.
In theStorage Sense area, choose how oft yous want 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 binder), then select the corresponding fourth dimension intervals.
Scroll downward and select Clean now.
Windows will take a few moment to clean up your files, and and then you'll come across a message indicating how much deejay infinite has been freed up.

If your system doesn't have Storage Sense, you tin utilise the Deejay 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 Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox next to the type of files y'all want to delete. (To view a clarification of each blazon of file, select the proper name.) Past default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Be sure to clear those cheque boxes if y'all don't want to delete those files.
To free up even more space, select Make clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will take a few moments to calculate the amount of space that a can be freed up.

Note:If it's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows 10, your previous version of Windows will be listed every bit a arrangement file you can delete. If you demand to costless up drive space, you can delete it, but go on in mind that yous'll be deleting your Windows.old binder, which contains files that give you the selection to become dorsum to your previous version of Windows. If you delete your previous version of Windows, this can't exist undone. (You lot won't exist 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 outset the cleanup.

If your PC still runs slowly, endeavor uninstalling apps you don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps y'all don't apply anymore

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

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

If you have photos, music, or other files that yous want to keep but don't use often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. You lot'll still be able to use them when the drive is connected, just they won't take upward space on your PC.

To move files to another bulldoze

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar and notice the files you want to motion.
Select the files, go toDwelling house, then select Movement to > Cull location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Movement.
Restart your PC and come across if performance has improved.

Get more info about freeing drive space in Windows 10.

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

Windows 10 includes many visual furnishings, such as animations and shadow effects. These expect great, but they can also use additional organisation resources and can wearisome downwardly your PC. This is specially true if yous have a PC with a smaller amount of retentiveness (RAM).

To adjust the visual effects in Windows

In the search box on the taskbar, type operation, and then select Adjust the advent and performance of Windows in the listing of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Accommodate for all-time performance > Apply.
Restart your PC and run into if that speeds up your PC.

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

Your PC settings let you choose where files will be saved by default. Yous can save files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files between the 2 locations. This lets you go to your files from whatsoever device that tin connect to the internet, and it helps brand certain your files are backed upwardly in example your PC is always damaged or lost. However, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing tin can tedious down your PC. Yous can pause OneDrive syncing temporarily and see if it helps improve your PC operation.

To suspension syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive virtually the notification area.
SelectOneDrive >More > Break syncing,and and so choose how long yous want to break syncing your files.
Restart your PC and run into if your performance bug have improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive >More than> Resume syncing.

You lot can also visit Ready OneDrive sync bug to bank check for whatsoever sync problems.

Notes:

If you have Window 10 version 1709 or higher, you can apply OneDrive Files On-Demand to choose which files you want to sync and always continue on your PC. This tin can help ameliorate PC performance if yous reduce the number of files that are synced to your PC. To meet which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > Organisation > Most.
Open Well-nigh settings
For more info on OneDrive Files On-Demand, see Learn about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

When y'all turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. Yous can disable these programs so they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. You don't realize they're running, but they'll open up quickly when you get to use them. This is helpful for programs y'all use a lot, but not for programs you don't utilize often because it increases the fourth dimension information technology takes Windows to offset.

Find the programs that first automatically

Sometimes you can determine which programs start automatically past looking at the program icons in the notification expanse on the far right of the taskbar. Check at that place first to see if there are any programs running that you lot don't want to start automatically. To endeavor to find out the name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Brand certain you lot select Show hidden icons , so you don't miss any programs.

Show hidden icons in the notification area

Notification area with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

Even subsequently you check the notification area, y'all might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here'southward how you tin can find all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you don't want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To cease a program from starting automatically

Select the Offset button, then selectSettings >Apps >Startup .
Open up Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps expanse, observe the programme you lot want to stop from starting automatically and set it toOff.

Notes:

If you turn off a plan and it continues to outset automatically when Windows starts, yous should scan for viruses and malware. See the side by side section for more than info.
To use the process above to stop a program from starting automatically, you demand to accept Windows x (Version 1803 or higher) installed. To run into which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start push, then select Settings > System > About.
Open Nigh settings
If you lot have Windows 10 (Version 1709 or before) installed, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager, select Startup, select the programme yous 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 pop-up letters, programs that unexpectedly showtime automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

The all-time way to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it upward to date. However, fifty-fifty if you have precautions, your PC can withal become infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 10. For more than info, run across How to protect your Windows 10 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. As well, brand sure multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the aforementioned time. If they are, choose the 1 you desire to run, then disable or uninstall any others.
If y'all take another antivirus programme installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security (Windows 10 Version 1809 or later on)

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, then select Check for updates nether Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Bank check for updates to make certain you have the most contempo updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan.

Await for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the post-obit, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced browse. This scan takes longer simply searches more than extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine information technology, contact Microsoft Back up for aid.
- If no viruses are plant, restart your PC and attempt to reproduce the performance problem you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Security doesn't open, 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 10 Version 1809 or afterwards).
To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Almost.
Open About settings

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

SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and so select Open up Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Virus & threat protection updates > Check for updates to brand sure you have the latest definition file.
Select theVirus & threat protection tab, then select Scan now.

Expect 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 simply searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Defender Security Centre finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine information technology, contact Microsoft Support for assist.
- If no viruses are establish, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Defender Security Center doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or tin't finish scanning for viruses, try running Windows Defender in Offline Mode, which is explained beneath in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803).
To meet which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start push button, and then select Settings > Organization > About.
Open up About settings

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

Save any documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
SelectOffset > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and and so under Electric current threats, select Browse options > Windows Defender Offline scan > Scan now.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or and so, and your PC will restart again afterward that.
Try to reproduce the functioning result.

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

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

Salvage whatever documents or annihilation else you might have open up on your PC.
SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and and then selectOpen Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then select Run a new avant-garde scan > Windows Defender Offline scan > Browse now.

Your PC volition restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or and then, and your PC will restart once more afterward that.
Try to reproduce the performance issue.

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

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing issues. If you recall a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could be causing issues, you might get things running normally again by restoring your PC to an earlier point, chosen a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore indicate won't affect your personal files, just it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed afterwards the restore signal was created.
Organization restore works for changes fabricated in the last vii to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

In the search box on the taskbar, type restore point, then select Create a restore point from the list of results.
On the Organization Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Next, then choose the restore betoken related to the app, driver, or update that might exist causing the problem. Then selectNext > Finish.
Restart your PC and see if functioning has improved.

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

To turn on organisation protection

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