Last updated: April 2026

PC Running Slow? 8 Fixes That Actually Work

Is your PC running slowly? You can usually fix it yourself. The problem is almost always too many startup programs, a full hard drive, or outdated hardware. Here are eight fixes that make a noticeable difference, ranked from easiest to most impactful.

1. Remove unnecessary startup programs

Every time you start your PC, a bunch of programs run in the background. Many of them you don't need. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, and disable anything you don't use daily. Spotify, Discord, Teams, OneDrive — anything that isn't critical can wait until you actually open it.

This alone can cut boot time from several minutes to under a minute. It costs nothing and takes two minutes to do.

2. Upgrade to an SSD

If you still have a traditional hard drive (HDD), this is the most impactful upgrade you can make. An SSD is between 5 and 20 times faster than a regular hard drive. Boot times, app launches, file copying — everything becomes dramatically faster.

A 500 GB SSD costs only a modest amount and is straightforward to install yourself. Many computer shops also offer cloning your old drive so you don't have to reinstall everything. If you need help replacing the drive, computer help from Datafolka can sort it out quickly.

3. Check how much RAM you have

Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, but in practice you should have at least 8 GB for things to run smoothly. If you have 4 GB and you're running a browser with many tabs, Teams, and maybe a spreadsheet, you're guaranteed to run out of memory.

Check what you have: open Task Manager, go to "Performance" and look at "Memory". If usage is consistently above 80 percent, you should upgrade. RAM is inexpensive and easy to install on most desktop PCs. Laptops vary, but many models have an access panel on the underside.

4. Delete temporary files

Windows accumulates temporary files over time — update files, cache, logs, and other junk. Go to Settings, then System, then Storage. Click "Temporary files" and remove what you don't need. You can safely delete most things here.

Alternatively, use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Search for it in the Start menu, select your drive, and let Windows suggest what can be deleted. This often frees up several gigabytes.

5. Run Windows Update

An outdated Windows means outdated drivers, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues. Microsoft regularly releases updates that improve performance. Go to Settings, Windows Update, and install everything that's waiting.

Pay particular attention to driver updates. Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of sluggish performance, especially if you use multiple monitors or video calls. Microsoft's own tips for better PC performance give a good overview of what to check.

6. Check for viruses and malware

A suddenly slow PC can be caused by malware running in the background. Cryptominers, adware, and other junk code consume processor power without you noticing directly.

Run a full scan with Windows Security (the built-in antivirus in Windows). Open Windows Security, select "Virus & threat protection", and run a full scan. It takes a while, but it's worth it. If you find something, follow the instructions to remove it. See our complete guide to removing viruses and malware for step-by-step instructions including Safe Mode and Malwarebytes.

7. Run a deep Disk Cleanup

Beyond temporary files, Windows offers a deeper cleanup. Run Disk Cleanup as administrator by searching for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu, right-clicking and selecting "Run as administrator". Then click "Clean up system files".

Here you can remove old Windows updates, previous installations, and system cache. This can free up anywhere from 5 to 30 GB, depending on how long it's been since the last cleanup. A full disk is a slow disk, especially if you have less than 10 percent free space.

8. Consider reinstalling Windows

If you've tried everything else and your PC is still slow, a clean Windows installation may be the solution. Over time, the system accumulates leftovers from uninstalled programs, old drivers, and registry entries that slow everything down.

Windows has a built-in feature for this. Go to Settings, System, Recovery, and select "Reset this PC". You can choose to keep your files, but all apps need to be reinstalled. Remember to back up first.

When should you consider a new PC?

If your PC is over 7 to 8 years old and has under 4 GB of RAM, none of the above steps may provide enough improvement. Older processors lack support for modern instruction sets, and Windows 11 has higher requirements than previous versions.

Tek.no has a thorough guide on PC upgrades (in Norwegian) that helps you decide whether upgrading or buying new makes sense.

Summary

Start with the free fixes: clean up startup programs, delete temporary files, run updates. If that's not enough, upgrading to an SSD is the single step with the biggest impact. A RAM upgrade is second. Reinstalling Windows is the last resort before you consider a new machine.

The most important thing is to start somewhere. Even one of these steps can make a noticeable difference in your day-to-day experience.