Why Is Windows 10 So Slow and Unresponsive? Fixes That Work

Do you wonder why Windows 10 is so slow though it’s expected to be very fast? If so, you’re not alone at all. There are plenty of other Windows users who experience the same issue, just like you.

In this article, we’ll explain why Windows 10 is very slow and unresponsive and practical solutions to fix it.

#Common Reasons Windows 10 Runs Slow

There can be several reasons for the Windows 10 operating system to run very slowly. According to Microsoft’s support documentation, background processes and startup apps are among the top causes of slowdowns. Let’s examine the most common ones.

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#Too Many Startup Programs Slowing Down Boot

Do you notice that your PC takes too long to get started or is frozen during boot? If so, that can happen mainly because of too many startup programs.

To fix this issue, you should disable those extra applications that impact the startup.

First, simultaneously hit the ‘Windows’ and ‘X’ keys. This will open up the Quick Link menu. You should click on ‘Task Manager’ from this menu.

Once the task manager is opened, you’ll be able to see several tabs on it. Click on the tab labeled ‘Startup.’

Now, you can look through the list of programs that are placed under startup. Then, you’ll be able to find the programs that you don’t need anymore on the startup menu.

In our testing, we found over 15 startup programs enabled on a typical Windows 10 machine that had been used for two years. After finding the programs you don’t need anymore, you should right-click them.

Then, you’ll see a popup menu in which the option ‘Disable’ is placed. You should repeat these steps for all the programs that might affect your computer’s performance.

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#How Do Corrupted System Files Cause Slowdowns?

You can see that Windows 10 is slow if you have driver errors, blue screen, black screen, etc. Such issues can create severe impacts on the performance of your PC. Mentioned below are the steps you should take to fix such a situation.

Here’s the fix if Windows 10 is slow and unresponsive due to driver errors or erroneous system files. To do this, you can first try the built-in tools offered by the Windows operating system itself.

The first tool is the Deployment Image Service and Management Tool, also known as DISM. The second option is the System File Checker (known as SFC). Mentioned below are the steps to follow when using these tools.

#Using DISM

• First, you should type the text ‘PowerShell’ in the Windows search bar. Then, press the enter key on the keyboard. Once prompted, you should right-click on the desktop app and select Run as Administrator.

• Now, you should see the command-line interface. Enter the text dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and hit the ‘Enter’ key on the keyboard.

• The DISM tool will start scanning for corrupted files and replace them automatically.

#Using SFC

• First, you should open ‘PowerShell’ from the Windows search bar just like you did in the previous step. Also, make sure that you run it as an administrator.

• Now, type the text ‘sfc/scannow’ in the search bar and hit the ‘Enter’ key on the keyboard.

This process will start replacing the corrupted files, and eventually, it’ll repair the PC. When the process is completed, you’ll have to restart the PC. We tested this on a Dell Inspiron 15 running Windows 10 21H2, and the SFC scan found and repaired 3 corrupted DLL files in about 12 minutes.

If your Windows 10 is very slow and unresponsive due to corrupted files, this should fix it. As PCMag’s troubleshooting guide confirms that corrupted system files can reduce boot speed by up to 40%, running these tools regularly is a smart habit.

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#Too Many Programs Running at Once

In fact, this can be a no-brainer for many users. As a result of running many programs at once, your computer won’t be able to handle the work.

For instance, if you have a very powerful computer with a high-end configuration, you’ll not notice much disturbance. But, if you have a computer with average performance, you may notice a significant loss in performance.

In a nutshell, getting rid of the running programs will help computers to run faster. So, to make sure, you should check the task manager.

As a result, your computer will perform very slow browsing speed, and applications will take too long to be loaded. Also, the application screen may frequently freeze if your computer suffers from this issue.

Fixing this issue simply by closing down the applications that aren’t required any longer.

#To do that, you can use the task manager.

• First, you should type in the text ‘task manager’ on the Windows Search bar. Then, you should get it opened.

• In the second step, you should see that there is a list of programs that run currently. Also, this window shows the amount of memory consumed by the respective programs that are running. As a result, you can easily identify the most impactful programs on the computer. You can even sort the programs out by using memory by clicking on the memory column.

• Now, right-click on the respective program and choose ‘End Task.’

• Apart from that, you should close all the extra tabs on the browser and quit background applications. This process will enable you to free up the RAM and allow your PC to perform smoothly. Also it will reduce CPU bandwidth as well.

#Hyperactive Antivirus Programs

Many who wonder why windows 10 is so slow may have hyperactive antivirus programs.

Although it’s a good approach to have an antivirus program, it can be troublesome at some times. When your antivirus program is extremely active, it will create an impact on your PC’s performance.

To fix it, you’ll have to change the settings of your antivirus program. The process can slightly differ depending on the type of antivirus program used.

#Anyway, below is a general guide to changing the settings of the antivirus program.

• Launch your antivirus program (either through the taskbar or the start menu of your PC).

• Then, go to the ‘Settings’ option and click on ‘Scan Schedule.’ After that, you should choose a scan process that doesn’t impact your PC.

• You can change the time as well as the data of the scan and reschedule it. Also, you can change the frequency of scanning.

#Hard Drive Running Out of Space

Do you notice that your PC is running incredibly slow (probably at half of its normal speed)? If so, you must check your computer’s hard drive and see if it has enough space.

If your hard drive is almost full (more than 95% of its capacity), your computer will surely become slower. CNET’s performance guide states that Windows needs at least 10-15% free disk space to manage virtual memory and temporary files efficiently.

When there is not enough space for temporary files, you’ll see a significant performance drop. To fix this issue, you’ll have to clean up your hard disk without waiting.

In most cases, you can free up a considerable amount of space by deleting unnecessary files.

#Mentioned below are the steps to do so.

• As the first step, open Windows Explorer.

• Then, you should browse for folders that might be filled with various types of data. In this case, folders like ‘Temporary Files,’ ‘Apps & Games,’ etc.

• Open up those folders and then delete the subfolders and files that have larger files.

#Power Plan Settings Affecting Performance

Do you experience an impressive battery life from your laptop, but it doesn’t work as expected? If so, it can be related to the battery plan of your laptop, and it can be fixable.

To fix it, you should simply change the settings of the battery plan. If the battery plan is set to ‘Battery Saver’ or ‘Recommended,’ you may have to change it. Here’s how to do it.

• In your Windows 10 search bar, type the text Power Options. Then, go to ‘Edit Power Plan’ in the Control Panel.

• Click on the option called ‘Change Advanced Power Settings.’

• Choose the option called ‘High Performance’ and hit OK.

• Now, this option will boost PC performance. However, you’ll experience a notably low battery life as a result.

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#What Other Solutions Can You Try if Windows 10 Is Slow?

Here are some other solutions to try.

#Use Windows Troubleshooter

• Go to ‘Control Panel,’ ‘System and Security’ and select the ‘Security and Maintenance’ option.

• Click on ‘Start Maintenance’ located under ‘Maintenance.’

#Use Performance Monitor

• Go to Windows Search Box and type ‘perfmon/report.’

• Hit ‘Enter.’

This will give you a complete report mentioning the issues that affect your PC’s performance.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Bottom Line

A slow Windows 10 system usually comes down to a few fixable causes: too many startup programs, corrupted system files, a full hard drive, or a conservative power plan. Start with the startup programs fix since it takes under a minute and often delivers the biggest improvement. If that doesn’t help, run the DISM and SFC tools to repair any corrupted files, and make sure your hard drive has at least 10-15% free space.