How To Make Your Windows 10 Computer Run Faster

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things up. The tips are listed in order, so start with the offset one, run into if that helps, and so go on to the adjacent one if it doesn't.

One of the all-time ways to get the near out of your PC is to make sure you lot accept the latest version of Windows 11 installed. When you 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 Outset button, then select Settings > Windows Update >Check for updates.
Cheque for Windows updates
Practice ane of the post-obit:
- If the condition says "You're up to date," continue and cheque for optional updates.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates yous desire to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and come across if it seems to run improve.

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

To cheque for optional updates

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

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

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

If your PC however runs slowly, go on to the adjacent tip.

Having many apps, programs, web browsers, so on open at once can slow downwards your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at once can too slow it down quite a chip. If this is happening, close whatever apps, browser tabs, etc., that y'all don't need and see 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 demand.

To restart your PC

Select the First push, and then select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open just the apps you lot demand, then close them when you're done.

Sometimes apps that were made for an earlier version of Windows will still run on Windows xi, but they might irksome downwards your PC. If this happens later you open up a certain plan, check the software company's website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter

Select Search, type troubleshoot in the search box, then select Troubleshoot settings > Other troubleshooters.
Under Other, select the Run button adjacent toProgramme Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Select the program that yous're having problems with, then select Next and go on through the troubleshooter.

PC notwithstanding running slowly? Continue to the adjacent tip.

ReadyBoost lets you lot use a removable drive, like a USB wink bulldoze, to ameliorate your PC'south performance without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To apply ReadyBoost, you'll need a USB wink drive or a retentiveness card that has at least 500 MB complimentary and a loftier data transfer rate.

To use ReadyBoost

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

When you look at the contents of the USB wink bulldoze 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 state drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to improve its operation.

The paging file is an area on your difficult disk that Windows uses like retentiveness. There's a setting in Windows 11 that manages the folio file size automatically, which can help better your PC's performance.

To make certain automatic page file management is turned on

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced arrangement in the search box, so select View advanced system settings, which has Control panel listed underneath it.
In Organisation Backdrop, select the Avant-garde tab, and then select Settings in the Performance area.
In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Alter in the Virtual memory area.
Brand sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If information technology is, keep to the side by side tip. If information technology's non, select it and so restart your PC by selecting the Start > Ability > Restart.

Utilise your PC and run across if information technology's running better. If it'due south not, try the next tip.

You may improve operation if you lot gratuitous some deejay space on your PC.

To check for low disk space

Select the Start button, then select Settings> System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Your drives volition be listed in the Storage area. Note the amount of gratuitous space and total size for each bulldoze.

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

Y'all can use Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can also gratis upwards infinite.

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

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

Notation:Yous may not desire to delete temporary files to improve functioning. 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, then select System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakup. Note: If y'all don't meet Temporary files listed, select Show more categories.
Windows volition have a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking upward the almost space on your PC.
Select the items y'all want to delete, and and so select Remove files.

To encounter what'southward in your Recycle Bin before yous empty it, open it from your desktop. If you don't run into the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, type recycle bin, and so select Recycle Bin from the listing of results.

Notation:Windows moves files you delete to the Recycle Bin in case you change your listen and need them over again in the time to come. You might be able to free up a pregnant amount of infinite by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To plough on and configure Storage Sense

Open Settings, so selectSystem> Storage.
Open up Storage settings
In the Storage management area, 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 system and app files is checked.
Under Configure cleanup schedules, choose how often you lot desire Storage Sense to run.
For the files y'all want 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 you want Storage Sense to leave those types of files lonely.
Gyre down and select Run Storage Sense now.
Windows will take a few moments to make clean up your files, then you'll see a message indicating how much disk space has been freed upwardly.

If your arrangement doesn't have 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 side by side to the type of files you lot want to delete. (To view a description of each blazon of file, select the proper noun.) By default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Cyberspace Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Exist sure to clear those check boxes if y'all don't want to delete those files.
To costless upwards fifty-fifty more space, select Make clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will take a few moments to calculate the amount of infinite that a tin can be freed up.

Notation:If information technology's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows 11, your previous version of Windows will exist listed as a system file you lot can delete. If y'all demand to free up bulldoze space, you lot can delete it, but keep in mind that you'll be deleting your Windows.quondam folder, which contains files that give you the selection to become back to your previous version of Windows. If you lot delete your previous version of Windows, this can't be undone. (Yous won't be able to get back to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you lot desire to delete, select OK, then select Delete files in the confirmation window to start the cleanup.

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

To uninstall apps you don't employ anymore

Select the Start button, 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 nigh space.
When you detect an app to remove, select the More icon side by side to it and, if possible, select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if functioning has improved.

If your PC all the same runs slowly, endeavour moving files to some other drive.

If you have photos, music, or other files that you desire to keep but don't utilize oft, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. Yous'll however be able to use them when the drive is connected, but they won't take upwardly space on your PC.

To move files to another drive

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

Become more info about freeing drive infinite in Windows.

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

Windows eleven includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow effects. These wait cracking, but they can likewise use additional system resources and can slow down your PC. This is especially truthful if yous have a PC with a smaller amount of retention (RAM).

To adjust the visual effects in Windows

Select Search, blazon performance, then select Adjust the advent and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance > Employ.
Restart your PC and come across if that speeds up your PC.

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

Your PC settings permit you lot choose where files will be saved past default. Yous can salvage files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files between the two locations. This lets yous get to your files from whatsoever device that tin can connect to the internet, and it helps make sure your files are backed up in example your PC is ever damaged or lost. Even so, files must sync betwixt your PC and OneDrive, and syncing tin can slow down your PC. Y'all can break OneDrive syncing temporarily and come across if information technology helps improve your PC performance.

To interruption syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive near the notification area.
SelectOneDrive > Assist & Settings > Suspension syncing,and and so cull how long you lot want 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 > Aid & Settings> Resume syncing.

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

When you plow on your PC, some programs commencement automatically and run in the groundwork. You can disable these programs so they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to commencement automatically when Windows does. You lot don't realize they're running, merely they'll open quickly when yous become to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but non for programs yous don't use oftentimes because it increases the time information technology takes Windows to start.

Find the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you tin can determine which programs get-go automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification area on the far correct of the taskbar. Check there first to run into if at that place are any programs running that you don't want to outset automatically. To try to detect out the name of the plan, point to the icon with your mouse arrow. Make sure y'all select Show hidden icons , and then yous don't miss any programs.

Fifty-fifty subsequently you check the notification area, you might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here's how yous tin can observe all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you don't want to get-go automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a program from starting automatically

Select the Outsetbutton, then selectSettings >Apps>Startup.
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps area, notice the program you want to stop from starting automatically and fix it toOff.

Note:If you lot turn off a program and it continues to start automatically when Windows starts, you should scan for viruses and malware. Run across the next section 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 starting time automatically, or the audio of your difficult disk constantly working.

The all-time manner to handle viruses and malicious software is to endeavor to foreclose them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to date. However, even if you take precautions, your PC tin still go infected.

Y'all can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software past using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Middle), which is included in Windows 11. For more info, encounter How to protect your Windows PC.

Notes:

If y'all're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, see the documentation for that programme to learn how to scan for viruses. As well, make certain multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, choose the 1 you desire to run, and and then disable or uninstall any others.
If you have another antivirus programme installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security

Select Showtime > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security,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 Check for updates to brand sure y'all have the most recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick browse.

Wait for Windows Security to terminate scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended avant-garde browse. 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 assist.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem you lot were having with your PC.

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

To browse for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline

Save any documents or anything else you might accept open on your PC.
SelectFirst > Settings> Privacy & security > Windows Security, and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and so under Electric 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 take 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again after that.
Endeavour to reproduce the operation upshot.

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

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing problems. If you remember a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could be causing issues, you might get things running normally again past restoring your PC to an before bespeak, called a restore indicate.

Notes:

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

To restore your PC from a restore betoken

Select Search on the taskbar, blazon advanced organization, so select View advanced system settings from the list of results.
On the Organisation Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Recommended restore to go with the most recent restore point Windows has made automatically, or Choose a dissimilar restore betoken to select one yourself, then selectNext.
If you chose to select a different restore point, select 1, then select Next. Either mode, select Finish to brainstorm restoring.
Once the restore is completed, restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

If yous don't come across whatsoever restore points, it might be because system protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

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

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things upwardly. The tips are listed in social club, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then keep to the next one if it doesn't.

Ane of the best means to get the most out of your PC is to make sure you 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 help better your PC's operation.

To bank check for updates

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Do one of the following:
- If the status says "You're upwardly to appointment," go to the next tip.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you want to install, and so select Install.
Restart your PC and come across if it seems to run better.

For more info well-nigh updates, including how you can take them installed automatically, run into the Windows Update FAQ.

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

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

Having many apps, programs, spider web browsers, and then on open at once tin can tiresome downwards your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at once tin can besides slow it downwardly quite a bit. If this is happening, close any apps, browser tabs, etc., that you lot don't demand and run into if that helps speed upwards your PC. If it doesn't seem to aid, restart your PC and so open up just the apps, programs and browser windows you need.

To restart your PC

Select the Start push button, and so select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open up merely the apps you need, then close them when you're washed.

Sometimes apps that were made for an before version of Windows will still run on Windows ten, but they might irksome downward your PC. If this happens subsequently you open a certain program, check the software company's website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter

In the search box on the taskbar, type troubleshoot, and so select Troubleshoot settings, which has System settings listed underneath information technology.
In the list of troubleshooters, select Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter > Run the troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having issues with, then select Next and keep through the troubleshooter.

PC still running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets yous use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to better your PC's performance without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To employ ReadyBoost, you'll need a USB flash drive or a retentivity card that has at least 500 MB free and a high data transfer rate.

To apply ReadyBoost

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

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

Notation:ReadyBoost can't be used if Windows is installed on a solid state bulldoze (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 deejay that Windows uses like retention. There's a setting in Windows 10 that manages the folio file size automatically, which tin help improve your PC's performance.

To make certain automatic page file management is turned on

In the search box on the taskbar, blazon avant-garde organisation, and then select View advanced system settings, which has Control console listed underneath it.
In Organization Properties, select the Advanced tab, then select Settings in the Performance area.
In Operation Options, select the Advanced tab, and so select Change in the Virtual retentivity area.
Make sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the next tip. If information technology'southward not, select information technology and then restart your PC by selecting the Start button > Power > Restart.

Employ your PC and encounter if it's running better. If it's not, try the next tip.

You may improve performance if you free some deejay infinite on your PC.

To cheque for low deejay space

Select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
Your drives will be listed in the Storage expanse. Note the amount of free infinite and total size for each bulldoze.

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

Yous can use Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can too free up space.

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

If you tin't detect Storage Sense on your device using the post-obit steps, see the "Free up space with Deejay cleanup" section 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, so select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Annotation: If y'all don't encounter Temporary files listed, select Show more than categories.
Windows will have a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking up the most space on your PC.
Select the items yous want to delete, and then select Remove files.

To encounter what's in your Recycle Bin before you empty information technology, open it from your desktop. If y'all don't meet the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, blazon recycle bin, then select Recycle Bin from the listing of results.

Note:Windows moves files you lot delete to the Recycle Bin in instance you change your mind and demand them again in the hereafter. Y'all might be able to free up a significant amount of infinite by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Select the Start button, and so select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
In the Storage area, turn on Storage Sense.
Select Configure Storage Sense or run information technology at present.
In theStorage Sense area, choose how often y'all 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), so select the corresponding time intervals.
Whorl downwardly and select Clean at present.
Windows will take a few moment to clean upwards your files, and then y'all'll see a message indicating how much disk space has been freed up.

If your system doesn't have Storage Sense, yous can employ 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, and then select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox side by side to the type of files you want to delete. (To view a description of each type of file, select the name.) Past default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Exist certain to clear those check boxes if you lot don't want to delete those files.
To complimentary upwards even more infinite, select Make clean upwardly organization files. Disk Cleanup will take a few moments to calculate the amount of infinite that a can be freed up.

Note:If it's been fewer than ten days since yous upgraded to Windows 10, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a organization file you tin delete. If y'all need to gratis up drive space, you tin delete information technology, but continue in mind that yous'll exist deleting your Windows.old binder, which contains files that give yous the option to go back 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, then select Delete files in the confirmation window to beginning the cleanup.

If your PC however runs slowly, try uninstalling apps you lot don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps you don't apply anymore

Select the Start button, 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 nigh space.
When you lot find an app to remove, cull it from the list and select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

If your PC notwithstanding runs slowly, endeavor moving files to some other drive.

If you have photos, music, or other files that you want to go on merely don't use often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. You'll however be able to employ them when the drive is connected, just they won't take up space 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 desire to move.
Select the files, get toHome, then select Move to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and come across if performance has improved.

Get more info nigh freeing drive space in Windows ten.

If your PC nevertheless runs slowly, try the adjacent tip.

Windows ten includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow furnishings. These expect great, just they can too employ additional system resources and tin can wearisome down your PC. This is peculiarly true if you accept 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 so select Suit the appearance and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Conform for best performance > Apply.
Restart your PC and meet if that speeds up your PC.

If your PC nonetheless runs slowly, go on to the side by side tip.

Your PC settings let you lot choose where files will exist saved by default. You can relieve files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files betwixt the two locations. This lets y'all become to your files from whatever device that can connect to the internet, and it helps brand sure your files are backed upwards in example your PC is ever damaged or lost. Nevertheless, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can slow down your PC. Y'all can intermission OneDrive syncing temporarily and see if it helps meliorate your PC performance.

To pause syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive near the notification surface area.
SelectOneDrive >More than > Break syncing,and then cull how long you lot want to pause syncing your files.
Restart your PC and see if your operation issues have improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive >More> Resume syncing.

You can also visit Ready OneDrive sync problems to check for whatever sync issues.

Notes:

If you lot have Window 10 version 1709 or higher, y'all can employ OneDrive Files On-Demand to choose which files you want to sync and always keep on your PC. This can assistance improve PC performance if you reduce the number of files that are synced to your PC. To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the First button, then select Settings > System > Virtually.
Open Well-nigh settings
For more info on OneDrive Files On-Demand, run into Acquire near OneDrive Files On-Demand.

When y'all turn on your PC, some programs offset automatically and run in the groundwork. 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 quickly when you lot go to use them. This is helpful for programs you employ a lot, but non for programs you don't use often because it increases the time information technology takes Windows to outset.

Find the programs that offset automatically

Sometimes you lot can determine which programs start automatically past looking at the program icons in the notification expanse on the far correct of the taskbar. Bank check there first to run across if there are any programs running that yous don't desire to start automatically. To try to find out the name of the program, betoken to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make certain you lot select Prove hidden icons , and then you don't miss any programs.

Show hidden icons in the notification area

Notification expanse with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

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

To cease a program from starting automatically

Select the Start button, then selectSettings >Apps >Startup .
Open up Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps surface area, find the program y'all desire to stop from starting automatically and set up it toOff.

Notes:

If you turn off a program and it continues to start automatically when Windows starts, you should browse for viruses and malware. Run into the side by side section for more info.
To use the process above to stop a program from starting automatically, you demand to have Windows x (Version 1803 or higher) installed. To see which version of Windows x your device is currently running, select the Beginning button, then select Settings > Arrangement > About.
Open up About settings
If you have Windows x (Version 1709 or earlier) installed, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager, select Startup, select the programme you lot want to stop from starting automatically, and so select Disable.

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

The all-time mode 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, fifty-fifty if you lot take precautions, your PC can even so 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 info, see 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 browse for viruses. Besides, make certain multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, cull the one you want to run, and and then disable or uninstall whatever others.
If you accept another antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security volition be turned off past default.

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

Select Starting time > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select 5 irus & threat protection, then select Cheque for updates under Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Check for updates to make certain you have the most recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan.

Wait for Windows Security to stop scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced browse. This browse 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 information technology, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and endeavor to reproduce the functioning problem you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Security doesn't open up, can't update the definition file, or tin can't finish scanning for viruses, try running Windows Defender Offline, which is explained below in To browse for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1809 or later).
To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Get-go button, then select Settings > System > About.
Open up About settings

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

SelectFirst > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then select Open Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Virus & threat protection updates > Check for updates to make sure you accept the latest definition file.
Select theVirus & threat protection tab, and then select Browse at present.

Await for Windows Defender Security Centre to end scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the post-obit, depending on the results of the browse:
- 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 Support for help.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and attempt to reproduce the performance problem you lot were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Defender Security Middle doesn't open up, can't update the definition file, or tin can't stop scanning for viruses, try running Windows Defender in Offline Manner, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803).
To run into which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > About.
Open About settings

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

Salve any documents or annihilation else y'all might have open up 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 under Current threats, select Scan options > Windows Defender Offline scan > Scan at present.

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

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

To browse for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803)

Relieve whatsoever documents or anything else you might accept open on your PC.
SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen Windows Defender Security Center.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Run a new avant-garde browse > Windows Defender Offline browse > Scan now.

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

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

Restoring your PC undoes contempo changes that might be causing problems. If yous think a recently installed app, commuter, or update for Windows could be causing problems, y'all might become things running commonly again by restoring your PC to an before point, called a restore signal.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore point won't affect your personal files, but it volition remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed after the restore point was created.
System restore works for changes made 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, and then select Create a restore betoken from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Organization Restore.
Select Next, then choose the restore indicate related to the app, driver, or update that might be causing the problem. Then selectNext > Finish.
Restart your PC and meet if performance has improved.

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

To turn on organisation protection

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