How to Speed Up Windows 10: Tips and Tricks for a Faster PC

Have you noticed your Windows 10 PC slowing down lately? Maybe it takes forever to start up, apps open sluggishly, or your browser lags when switching tabs. Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Over time, even the most powerful computers can start to feel sluggish due to unnecessary programs, cluttered storage, or outdated settings.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to speed up Windows 10 using practical, easy-to-follow steps. Whether you’re a beginner or a tech-savvy user, these proven tips and tricks will help your computer run faster, smoother, and more efficiently — just like new.

Why Does Windows 10 Slow Down Over Time?

Before we jump into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand why Windows 10 becomes slower as time passes. Here are some common reasons:

• Too many startup programs running in the background.

• Temporary files, cache, and bloatware accumulating on your system.

• Fragmented or full hard drives.

• Outdated drivers and system updates.

• Malware or virus infections.

• Visual effects and animations consuming system resources.

Once you know the causes, you can take targeted action — which is exactly what we’ll cover next.

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How to Check Your PC’s Performance

Before making changes, it’s smart to check your system’s current performance.

Step-by-Step:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click on the Performance tab.

3. Monitor your CPU, Memory, Disk, and GPU usage.

If you notice any component constantly running at 90% or higher, that’s a red flag — and we’ll tackle how to fix those issues below.

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1. Disable Startup Programs

Too many programs launching at startup can dramatically slow down your boot time.

Here’s how to disable them:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Go to the Startup tab.

3. Review the list of programs.

4. Right-click unnecessary ones and select Disable.

💡 Tip: Leave essential items like your antivirus enabled, but disable things like Spotify, Skype, or Adobe Updater.

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2. Uninstall Unnecessary Software

Old or unused software not only takes up storage space but can also run background processes that eat up memory.

How to uninstall unwanted apps:

1. Press Windows + I → open Settings.

2. Go to Apps → Installed Apps.

3. Sort by Size or Install date.

4. Click on apps you no longer need → select Uninstall.

👉 Removing bloatware that comes preinstalled with Windows 10 can also make a big difference.

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3. Free Up Disk Space

Low disk space can significantly slow down Windows 10, especially on the system (C:) drive.

Ways to free up space:

• Delete large files, downloads, and duplicate content.

• Empty the Recycle Bin.

• Move photos and videos to cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive.

• Use built-in tools like Storage Sense to automatically manage disk space.

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4. Run Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense

Windows 10 includes a powerful tool to remove junk files — Disk Cleanup — and an automated option called Storage Sense.

To run Disk Cleanup:

1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Start Menu.

2. Select your system drive (C:).

3. Check items like Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and System cache.

4. Click OK → Delete Files.

Enable Storage Sense:

• Go to Settings → System → Storage.

• Turn on Storage Sense and configure it to run automatically.

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5. Optimize Your Hard Drive (Defrag or TRIM)

If you’re using an HDD, it needs defragmentation; if you have an SSD, it benefits from TRIM optimization.

To optimize your drive:

1. Type Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start Menu.

2. Select your drive → click Optimize.

3. Set it to run weekly for best results.

📌 Note: SSDs should not be defragmented — only optimized.

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6. Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated drivers and system updates can slow your PC and cause compatibility issues.

To update Windows:

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.

2. Click Check for updates.

To update drivers:

• Open Device Manager → right-click a device → Update driver.

• Or use a trusted driver update tool (avoid random third-party apps).

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7. Adjust Visual Effects for Better Speed

Windows 10 includes many visual effects — animations, shadows, and fades — that look nice but use system resources.

To adjust them:

1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Go to the Advanced tab → click Settings under Performance.

3. Choose Adjust for best performance or manually uncheck effects you don’t need.

This can make your PC feel noticeably faster instantly.

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8. Manage Background Apps

Many apps run in the background even when you’re not using them.

To stop them:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Background apps.

2. Toggle off unnecessary apps or disable Let apps run in the background entirely.

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9. Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware can secretly use your CPU, memory, and internet bandwidth — causing severe slowdowns.

How to scan:

• Use Windows Security (Defender):

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security.

  2. Click Virus & threat protection → Quick scan.

• Alternatively, run a Full Scan or use a trusted anti-malware tool like Malwarebytes.

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10. Increase Virtual Memory (Paging File)

If your computer runs out of RAM, it uses a portion of your hard drive as virtual memory.

To increase it:

1. Press Windows + Pause/Break → Advanced system settings.

2. Under Performance, click Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory.

3. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.

4. Set Initial size = 1.5x your RAM, and Maximum size = 3x your RAM.

This can reduce crashes and improve multitasking performance.

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11. Disable Windows Tips and Notifications

While helpful, Windows 10’s tips and notifications consume background resources.

To disable them:

1. Go to Settings → System → Notifications & actions.

2. Turn off Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.

You’ll still get essential alerts but without unnecessary pop-ups.

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12. Turn Off Search Indexing

Search Indexing makes finding files faster but can slow down overall system performance, especially on older PCs.

To disable it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Find Windows Search → right-click → Properties.

3. Set Startup type to Manual or Disabled.

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13. Use ReadyBoost with USB Drive

If you have limited RAM, ReadyBoost can help by using a USB flash drive to cache data.

To enable it:

1. Insert a fast USB 3.0 drive (at least 8GB).

2. Open File Explorer → This PC.

3. Right-click the drive → Properties → ReadyBoost tab.

4. Select Use this device and allocate available space.

This feature can significantly improve responsiveness on older systems.

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14. Upgrade Your Hardware

Software tweaks help, but if your PC is still slow, consider hardware upgrades.

Best upgrades for speed:

Even upgrading from 4GB to 8GB RAM can make a huge difference for everyday use.

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15. Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above fixes work, it may be time to start fresh.

To reset Windows 10:

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.

2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.

3. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.

This reinstalls Windows and removes any corrupt system files, giving your PC a clean slate.

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Final Thoughts

Speeding up your Windows 10 PC doesn’t require being a tech wizard. By following these 15 simple tips and tricks, you can dramatically improve performance, reduce lag, and extend your computer’s lifespan.

From disabling startup programs to upgrading to an SSD, every step contributes to a faster, smoother computing experience.

Remember — regular maintenance is key. A few minutes each month can keep your PC running like new.

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FAQs

1. Why is my Windows 10 computer so slow all of a sudden?

This could be due to a recent update, malware infection, or a heavy background process. Check Task Manager to identify the culprit.

2. How can I make Windows 10 boot faster?

Disable startup programs and enable Fast Startup in Power Options to reduce boot time.

3. Is it safe to disable background apps in Windows 10?

Yes. Most background apps are non-essential. Disabling them can improve performance and battery life.

4. Will upgrading RAM make Windows 10 faster?

Absolutely! More RAM allows smoother multitasking and reduces reliance on slower virtual memory.

5. Should I use third-party PC cleaner software?

It’s better to use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense. Third-party tools can sometimes delete essential files or cause issues.

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Summary – Key Takeaways

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By applying these tips on how to speed up Windows 10, your PC will feel lighter, faster, and more responsive — just like it did on day one.