How to speed up a slow computer in Windows step by step

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Over time it is normal that a computer running Windows starts to get slower and slowerIt takes forever to boot up, opening programs is a nightmare, and any simple task seems to push the system to its limits. Before assuming it's time to retire it, it's worth reviewing a few key points, because in many cases you can Regain almost all of the original speed without spending hardly any money.

The idea is that you can go applying improvements from the simplest to the most advancedTesting each option one by one and stopping when you see that the computer is responding as you want. We'll start by cleaning up programs and files, then move on to Windows settings (Startup, Power, Visual Effects, Virtual Memory, Updates), and finish with hardware solutions such as switch to an SSD, upgrade RAM or clean the inside of the computer to prevent overheatingEverything is explained in clear language and using Spanish expressions, so that anyone can do it at home without getting too complicated.

Basic habits to prevent your PC from slowing down

Before we get into more technical settings, it's worth assuming that Usage habits greatly influence computer speedYou can make it run smoothly today, but if you mistreat it daily, it will slow down again in a few weeks.

It's recommended that you get used to Close all programs you don't use. Instead of leaving them minimized. Browsers, office suites, chat apps, and games accumulate background processes that consume RAM and CPU even when you're not interacting with them.

It also helps a lot Turn off the computer at the end of the day instead of always leaving it in suspensionA clean shutdown and boot clears memory, closes stuck services, and prevents small errors from accumulating and making the system unstable and sluggish.

Another simple gesture is Empty the Recycle Bin regularlyThis is especially true if you frequently delete large files (videos, high-resolution images, installers, etc.). Even if they're in the Recycle Bin, they still occupy disk space, and a very full mechanical hard drive becomes particularly slow.

On modern computers with Windows 10 or 11, it's not a good idea to install Heavyweight third-party antivirus programs that duplicate functionsWindows Defender (now Windows Security) is more than enough for most users and consumes fewer resources than huge suites full of extras that hardly add anything.

Finally, it is advisable that Physically clean the dust from inside the tower or laptop from time to timeDirty fans and heatsinks cause the computer to overheat, and when the temperature spikes, the processor and graphics card automatically reduce their frequency, resulting in a significant drop in performance. If you want to learn more about Maintenance and care that extend the life of the PCIt's a good complement to this cleaning.

Uninstall programs and applications you don't use

One of the most common reasons that Windows is getting slower and slower because it accumulates lots of programs you no longer use.Many of them start background services, add scheduled tasks, or sneak into system startup, constantly consuming resources.

In Windows 10 and Windows 11 it's very easy Remove software you no longer need from the modern setup.You just have to open the Start menu, go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (or "Applications and features" depending on the version) and calmly review the list.

When you see a program you don't need, click on it and press on Uninstall to completely remove it from the systemAvoid using unfamiliar applications from Microsoft or the device manufacturer, as they are often necessary for some components to function correctly.

This process also applies to games, launchers, and one-off utilities that you installed "just to try them out" and then left there. Uninstalling them will resolve the issue. You'll free up disk space and reduce background processes.This is something that is quite noticeable on computers with little RAM.

Keep your desk as clean as possible

The Windows desktop is very tempting for leaving shortcuts, folders, and loose files lying around, but If you fill it to the brim, the system startup becomes more difficult.Each icon is a graphic element that Windows has to draw and manage at login.

It's not about erasing everything, but about Organize your documents into folders within your usual libraries (Documents, Images, Downloads…) and leave on the Desktop only what you really need to have on hand those days.

A simple trick is to create a single folder on the Desktop, something like "Pending" or "In Progress", and Put inside all the files and shortcuts that you usually use in the short termThis way you'll see very few icons and the startup will be somewhat lighter, especially on older machines.

Control which programs start with Windows

Another source of slow PC startup times is the programs that They open automatically every time you log in.Messaging clients, gaming platforms, music services, synchronization tools… if they all run at the same time, startup can take minutes.

To keep it under control, open the Task ManagerYou can do it with the combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc or with Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting "Task Manager". If you see the simplified version, tap on More details to see all tabs.

Go to the tab Home (in Windows 11 it may be called "Startup Apps") and Review the list of programs configured to start with the systemPay particular attention to the columns of State (Enabled/Disabled) and in the Start impact (Low, Medium, High). If you want advanced tools to control startup, Autoruns It is an option for experienced users.

Select all the applications you don't need as soon as you turn on your computer and click on Disable to prevent them from running automaticallyYou're not uninstalling them; you'll simply open them manually when you need them. You'll notice the difference especially on computers with modest processors and mechanical hard drives.

Check that the computer is free of viruses and malware

A PC can become unbearably slow because has malware consuming CPU, memory, or bandwidth in the backgroundCryptocurrency miners, adware, toolbars, suspicious browser extensions, or Trojans can remain running without you noticing.

Windows 10 and 11 include Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender)which offers a very respectable level of protection without excessively penalizing performance. To open it, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Windows security and click on Open Windows Security.

Inside, enter in Antivirus and threat protection and click on Quick exam to perform a basic check of the most critical areas of the systemIf you want to go deeper, go to "Scan options" and run a full scan or an offline scan, which restarts your PC and checks the system before Windows loads.

As an occasional supplement, you can use specialized tools such as Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner to locate adware and potentially unwanted softwareRun them, remove anything they detect, and get rid of any suspicious browser extensions. If malware was hogging resources, your computer will run much more smoothly.

Free up space on your hard drive with safe tools

When a mechanical hard disk drive (HDD) is too full, Windows takes longer to read and write data.And everything becomes more cumbersome: from opening folders to copying files. That's why it's a good idea to clean things up from time to time.

Instead of going crazy with aggressive third-party programs, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool built into WindowsPress Start and type cleanmgr Search for it in the search bar; that tool will appear. Run it, if possible, as administrator.

First you will have to choose the unit you want to clean (usually C:). Windows will then analyze which types of files can be safely deleted: temporary files, caches, thumbnails, memory dumps, etc. This calculation can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the amount of accumulated junk.

When it's finished, you'll see a list of the available categories and the space you would save by marking each oneWhen you select a category, the system itself explains what will be deleted. Select what you want, then click on Accept and confirm when it asks if you are sure you want to delete those files.

If you want a more advanced cleaning and you know what you're doing, tools like CCleaner can help you delete temporary files and debris.However, it is advisable to avoid aggressive adjustments or tinkering with the Windows Registry unnecessarily, because you can mess things up without gaining much real performance.

Defragment the mechanical hard drive (if it's not an SSD)

In traditional hard drives, files are stored in small pieces scattered across different areas of the magnetic platter. Over time, this causes... The reading is less efficient because the head has to jump from one side to the other.This phenomenon is called fragmentation.

To reorganize these fragments and speed up data access, Windows includes a tool for defragmentation and optimization of drivesType "defragment" in the Start menu and open "Defragment and Optimize Drives".

Select the mechanical hard drive you want to upgrade and click on Analyze to have Windows tell you the current fragmentation statusDepending on the percentage, it may or may not recommend optimizing it.

If you decide to continue, click on Optimize and let the process completeIt can take quite a while, especially if it hasn't been done in a long time or if the disk is very large, but during that time you'll notice some resource consumption. Modern SSDs don't need to defragment, as they use a different type of automatic optimization.

Configure Windows virtual memory better

When RAM runs out, Windows resorts to an area of ​​the hard drive called the paging file or virtual memoryReading and writing there is much slower than in RAM, but it's preferable to the system running out of memory and crashing.

In some cases, especially if you have little physical RAM, it can help manually adjust the size of that virtual memoryTo do this, open Settings, then go to System > Information and click on Advanced System Settings (on the right or bottom panel).

In the classic window that opens, go to the tab Advanced options and click on Settings within the Performance sectionAnother new window will open with several tabs; go back to "Advanced Options".

In the block of Virtual memory click on Switch to edit the paging fileFirst, uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives." Then, select the desired drive and set an initial and maximum size in MB slightly higher than the default Windows size.

For reference, you can Increase by 1000 or 2000 MB from the automatic value if you have little RAMIt's not a magic solution, but it helps give the system more headroom when you open many applications at once.

Adjust the power plan to prioritize performance

Windows usually comes configured with a power plan balanced between consumption and performanceThis is fine for most users. But if your computer is particularly slow and you don't mind it using a little more resources, you can force a more aggressive mode.

In the classic Control Panel (search for it in Start), go to Hardware and Sound > Power OptionsThere you'll see the available plans. If you don't see everything, click on Show additional plans.

On many devices you will see the option to High performanceSelect it so that The processor and other components don't reduce their frequency as much to save energy.You'll notice the difference especially on laptops plugged into a power outlet.

Keep in mind that, by doing this, The laptop will consume more battery and get a little hotter.This is an interesting adjustment if your computer is running on fumes or if you use it for somewhat demanding tasks (editing, gaming, working with many windows) and have it plugged in most of the time.

Reduce visual effects and disable animations

For years, Windows has incorporated transitions, shadows, transparencies and animations to make the interface more visually appealing. All of that is great on modern computers, but on machines with limited resources it can become a hindrance.

To cut out these decorations, open the window of Advanced system settings > Advanced options > Settings (under Performance). In the tab Visual effects You will see a list with all the activated effects.

The quickest way to lighten the system is to mark “Tune for best performance”This disables virtually all effects. If that seems too drastic, you can remove only the ones you consider unnecessary, such as minimize and maximize window animations, shadows under menus, or the fade-out effect. For specific guides on how to disable these effects and improve the startup experience, see [link to relevant guide]. this guide.

Also, you can Remove transparencies from the interface from Settings > Personalization > Colorsby unchecking the "Transparency Effects" option. It's a slight aesthetic change, but it helps to offload some of the integrated graphics.

Silence notifications and unnecessary processes

Constant notifications from apps, email, social media, and the system itself are not just distracting: often involve resident processes that remain active so we can notify you immediately of any updates.

To gain some lightness, enter Settings > System > NotificationsThere you can, if you wish, To disable the main Notifications switch, simply turn it off. so that Windows stops showing notifications.

If you prefer to fine-tune, scroll down a little and Configure, app by app, which ones can send you alerts and which ones cannot.Don't be afraid to disable anything that isn't important to you (games, promotions, tools you barely use, etc.). Fewer things running means more resources for what you're truly interested in.

Update Windows and hardware drivers

Another possible reason why the equipment might seem sluggish is that You may be using an older version of Windows or outdated drivers that carry known errors, power management problems or compatibility issues.

To check the system, go to Settings > Windows Update and click on Check for updates so that Windows itself downloads and installs the latest available versions.They often include stability and performance improvements, as well as security patches.

In that same section, if they appear Optional updatesTake a look at them, because some of them correspond to New drivers for components such as graphics, sound, or chipsetThey tend to be less critical, but sometimes they fix specific performance problems.

To go one step further, it is recommended Download the updated drivers from the official websites from the manufacturers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc.) for the graphics card and from the brand of your computer or motherboard for the rest of the components. Many brands offer tools and manufacturer software that centralizes these updates.

Limit background services and processes

In a Windows system installed years ago, it is common to find services that run in the background without you even remembering why you set them up.Many belong to programs you no longer use or components you no longer have connected.

From the Task Manager, In the tab ProcessesYou can sort by CPU, memory, or disk usage and detect which applications are abusing resourcesSometimes simply uninstalling the problematic app or checking its settings is enough to stop it from running constantly. If you encounter system-related processes that you don't understand, documentation such as that of Task host It helps to identify and resolve common errors.

In the Services You'll also see active services in the Task Manager itself. You need to be more careful here, because Stopping critical system or driver services can cause failuresSimply disable anything you know exactly what it is, or search its name on the internet before touching it.

Prevent overheating: clean fans and improve cooling

One factor that many people overlook is temperature. When the processor or graphics card overheats, The hardware itself automatically reduces its frequency to avoid burning out.This is known as "throttling" or thermal throttling, and it causes very noticeable performance drops.

If you notice that your PC It gets very noisy, the laptop gets hot on the bottom, or games start smoothly and then slow down.There's probably a heat problem. We need to check the inside.

Turn off the computer, unplug it from the power outlet, and, in the case of a desktop computer, Open the side panel to access the fans and heatsinksUse compressed air to expel dust from the vents, CPU fan, power supply, and, if you have one, the graphics card.

With laptops, things are a bit more complicated, because Often the bottom cover has to be removed to access the cooling systemIf you're not comfortable opening it yourself, it's best to take it to a repair shop to have the fans cleaned and even the thermal paste replaced if the device is several years old.

A good cleaning, accompanied by improvements to the tower's airflow (for example, by adding a front and rear fan), can make a huge difference in how the computer behaves under load.

Restore Windows to its fresh installation state.

If after applying all these optimizations you still notice the system is sluggish, you may need to... consider a clean reinstallation of WindowsOver time, the original installation becomes filled with program remnants, old configurations, and minor glitches that sometimes can only be fixed by starting from scratch.

In Windows 11 (and also in Windows 10) you have a built-in option to do this without needing to download anything extra. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click on Reset this PC.

A wizard will open offering you two paths: Keep your personal files or remove everythingIf the computer is running particularly poorly, it is usually more effective to choose "Remove everything" so that legacy programs and settings are also removed.

However, before you launch, make sure you Back up your important documents, photos, videos, and work projectsYou can use an external hard drive, the cloud, or both, but don't start without being sure you won't lose anything essential.

If you want to go even further, you can always Create an installation USB drive using the official Microsoft toolBoot from there and format the drive to perform a completely clean installation. It's a slightly longer process, but it truly leaves the system "like new." If you end up choosing to upgrade components or the entire computer, this guide to improving PC performance It will be useful to you after installation.

Upgrade your hardware: SSD, RAM, and more

There are times when, no matter how much you optimize Windows, The bottleneck is in the hardware itself.If your computer is a few years old, it may have an old mechanical hard drive or very little RAM, and in that case, software improvements fall short.

Upgrading from HDD to SSD: the most amazing upgrade

Upgrading from a mechanical hard drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) is, without exaggeration, the update that most transforms the feeling of speed of a computerThe system starts up in a few seconds, programs open almost instantly, and everything feels much more responsive.

There are two main types of SSDs: 2,5-inch SATAwhich connect just like a conventional hard drive and offer speeds of around 500 MB/s, and the NVMe M.2which are plugged into the motherboard and can reach several thousand MB/s if your computer supports them.

Even in older systems, replacing the HDD with a SATA SSD is possible. It literally gives them a second life.Many computers that seemed ready for the scrap heap end up working wonderfully with this simple upgrade, which is usually cheaper than buying a new PC.

Expand RAM

RAM is where the system and applications store data. They load the data they are currently using.If it falls short, Windows starts using the disk as backup, causing constant stuttering and freezing.

Today, for basic use with Windows 10/11 (browsing, office applications, video, social networking) it is considered that 8 GB of RAM is the reasonable minimumFor intensive multitasking, many documents, and dozens of open browser tabs, 16 GB offers a much more comfortable experience.

If your computer only has 4 GB, seriously consider this. expand to at least 8 GBYou can check how much memory you have and how much you're using from the Task Manager, Performance tab, Memory sectionIf your usage is almost always at the limit, adding more will be a great help.

In laptops, RAM is usually of the type SO-DIMM (DDR4 or DDR5 depending on generation)Desktop computers use conventional DIMM modules. Before buying anything, check how many free memory slots you have and what type and speed of memory your motherboard supports. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to ask for help from a trusted repair shop or service center. To find out when it's best to upgrade your computer or components, also consult [reference to relevant documentation]. how to identify bottlenecks.

Other components and when it's worth changing equipment

If you use your computer for gaming or for video and 3D editing, the The graphics card can also be a key factor in performanceSwitching to a more modern and efficient model makes a huge difference in those cases, although we are talking about a more serious investment.

Even so, if your computer It's over ten years old and at the time it was a very basic modelIt's possible that even a combination of SSD and RAM won't meet current needs. At that point, it's worth crunching the numbers and considering whether it wouldn't be better to save up for a new system with a modern foundation. If your goal is to build a gaming PC without spending too much, this guide to choosing a cheap gaming PC can guide you.

Advanced settings and BIOS/UEFI

In some specific cases, a few extra seconds of response time can be squeezed out. by tweaking certain BIOS or UEFI options of the equipment. We're talking about settings like fast boot mode, processor power management, or memory parameters.

To enter the BIOS/UEFI it is usually necessary Press a specific key (Del, F2, F10, etc.) as soon as you turn on the PCNormally, a brief message will appear on the initial screen indicating this, although on modern laptops it happens so quickly that you have to be attentive.

Within that menu, some manufacturers offer performance profiles or optimized modes for the systemEnabling them is usually safe, but it's not advisable to change advanced parameters you don't understand, because you could cause instability or even prevent the computer from starting up.

If you're not familiar with these settings, the wisest course of action is limiting yourself to what Windows offers in terms of power and performance and leave the BIOS in the hands of a technician or someone with experience.

With all these measures, from basic habits to memory adjustments, thorough cleaning, Windows optimization, and possible hardware upgrades, it's entirely possible to revive a computer that seemed to be dying. return to normal operation for reasonable work, study, or playAnd if it still falls short, at least you'll have a clear idea of ​​which parts you need to improve or if it's time to make the leap to a new team.