How to Fix a Slow Computer

Quick answer

A slow computer is usually doing too much at once, running short of free storage, or waiting on unfinished updates. A full restart, fewer apps that open at startup, and some cleared space fix most cases. This guide is for everyday Windows 11 and Mac users who want their machine to feel responsive again without buying anything.

Before you start

Run through these quick checks first. They take a few minutes and often solve the problem on their own.

• Restart, don’t just close the lid. Sleep keeps everything in memory. A real restart clears it. On Windows, use Start, then Power, then Restart. On a Mac, use the Apple menu, then Restart.
• Plug in your laptop. Many laptops slow down on purpose when the battery is low to save power.
• Notice when it is slow. Slow only right after you sign in points to startup apps. Slow in one program points to that program. Slow everywhere, all day, points to storage, memory or heat.
• Back up first. Before removing apps or changing settings, copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Feel for heat. If the computer is hot and the fan is loud, heat may be the cause. See How to Stop a Computer or Laptop From Overheating.

Find out what is slowing it down

Your computer has a built-in tool that shows which apps use the most processor time (CPU, the chip that does the computing) and memory (RAM, the short-term workspace apps use while they run).

Windows 11

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If you see a small window, select More details.
2. Open the Processes page and select the CPU column header to sort by usage. Do the same for Memory and Disk.
3. Look for one app near the top that stays high for minutes, not seconds. A web browser with dozens of tabs is a common culprit.
4. If it is an app you recognize and have saved your work in, select it and choose End task.
5. Don’t end processes you don’t recognize. Many belong to Windows itself.

macOS

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications, then Utilities, or search for it with Spotlight (Command + Space).
2. Select the CPU tab and sort by % CPU. Then check the Memory tab and look at the Memory Pressure graph at the bottom.
3. A green graph is fine. Yellow or red means the Mac is running short of memory and you should close some apps or browser tabs.
4. To close a stuck app you recognize, select it, then use the stop button (an X in a circle) at the top and choose Quit.

If a single app keeps freezing, our guide on fixing a program that stops responding walks through it in more detail.

Speed up a slow computer step by step

Work through these in order and check how the computer feels after each one.

Turn off apps that open at startup

Many programs add themselves to startup, so they load every time you sign in, even if you rarely use them.

Windows 11:

1. Open Settings, then Apps, then Startup.
2. Turn off apps you don’t need right away, such as chat apps, game launchers or update helpers for software you rarely use.
3. Leave security software and anything you don’t recognize turned on, then restart.

On Windows 10, the same list is in Task Manager on the Startup tab.

macOS:

1. Open System Settings, then General, then Login Items (the name can vary slightly by macOS version).
2. Select an app you don’t need at login and use the minus button to remove it.
3. Restart the Mac.

Free up storage space

When the main drive is nearly full, the system has little room for temporary files and slows down. Remove large files you no longer need and empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.

1. On Windows 11, open Settings, then System, then Storage to see what is using space and to use the cleanup recommendations.
2. On a Mac, open System Settings, then General, then Storage to see recommendations and large files.

For a full walkthrough, see How to Free Up Storage Space on a Windows PC.

Remove programs you don’t use

A family PC often collects trial software, old games and toolbars over the years. Uninstall what nobody uses.

1. On Windows 11, open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps.
2. Select the three dots next to an app and choose Uninstall.
3. On a Mac, drag unwanted apps from the Applications folder to the Trash, or use the app’s own uninstaller if it came with one.

Be wary of anything that promises to make your PC faster with one click. “Cleaner,” “booster” and “optimizer” tools are not needed and some cause more problems than they solve. The tools built into Windows and macOS are enough.

Install updates

Updates fix bugs that can make a computer sluggish.

1. On Windows 11, open Settings, then Windows Update, and select Check for updates.
2. On a Mac, open System Settings, then General, then Software Update.
3. Restart when asked, even if it is inconvenient. Pending restarts can slow things down.

If this does not work

Try these next, from easiest to hardest:

1. Scan for malware. On Windows, open the Windows Security app and run a quick scan. Unwanted software running in the background can slow everything down.
2. Check the browser. Remove browser extensions you don’t recognize and close tabs you don’t need. One heavy tab can use a lot of memory.
3. Check power settings. On a Windows laptop, look in Settings, then System, then Power & battery for the power mode and try a balanced or best performance option while plugged in.
4. Look at your hardware. An older computer with a spinning hard drive or limited memory may simply struggle with today’s apps and websites. Check the manufacturer’s support site for your model’s specifications.
5. Reset as a last resort. Windows and macOS both offer ways to reinstall the system. This takes time and can remove apps, so back up everything first and follow Microsoft’s or Apple’s official instructions.

When to get professional help

Stop and contact the computer manufacturer’s support or a qualified technician if:

• The computer makes clicking or grinding noises, which can mean a failing hard drive.
• You see repeated crashes, blue screens or warnings about disk errors.
• It is slow and very hot even after cleaning up software.
• You think a memory or drive upgrade would help but are not comfortable opening the case.

Copy your important files somewhere safe before anyone works on the computer. Be careful with unexpected calls or pop-ups claiming your computer is infected. Real companies don’t cold-call about viruses or ask for remote access.

FAQ

Why is my computer slow right after I turn it on?

Many apps start automatically when you sign in, and updates may run in the background. Give it a few minutes, then turn off startup apps you don’t need.

Does adding more RAM make a computer faster?

It helps if you often run out of memory, which you can see in Task Manager or Activity Monitor. It does not help if the cause is a full drive, heat or a single misbehaving app. Many laptops have memory that cannot be upgraded, so check your model first.

Should I use a PC cleaner or booster app?

No. Windows and macOS already include tools for removing files and managing startup apps. Many third-party cleaner tools add ads, extra background tasks or unwanted software.

Is it bad to never restart my computer?

Not dangerous, but it can make things slower over time and leaves updates unfinished. Restarting every few days is a good habit.

How do I know if my computer is just too old?

If it is still slow after the steps in this guide, struggles with basic web browsing, and no longer gets system updates, it may have reached the end of its useful life. You can recycle it responsibly when you replace it.