How To Fix Performance Issues Windows 10

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might aid speed things upward. The tips are listed in club, so offset with the first one, see if that helps, then go on to the next one if it doesn't.

One of the best ways to become the nearly out of your PC is to brand sure you have the latest version of Windows xi installed. When you cheque for updates, your PC volition likewise search for the latest device drivers, which can besides help improve your PC'south functioning.

To check for updates

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Windows Update >Bank check for updates.
Cheque for Windows updates
Do one of the following:
- If the status says "You're upwardly to date," continue and cheque for optional updates.
- If the condition says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and see if it seems to run ameliorate.

Sometimes an optional update, like a new non-critical driver, volition be available that may help.

To cheque for optional updates

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
If additional updates are available, select them and then select Download & install.
Restart your PC and see if it seems to run better.

For more info nearly updates, including how you tin can have them installed automatically, run into the Windows Update FAQ.

For Windows Update troubleshooting info, encounter Update Windows and Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.

If your PC still runs slowly, continue to the side by side tip.

Having many apps, programs, web browsers, and so on open at once can ho-hum downward your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at once can too slow it downwards quite a scrap. If this is happening, shut any apps, browser tabs, etc., that you lot don't demand and see if that helps speed upwardly your PC. If information technology doesn't seem to assistance, restart your PC and and then open just the apps, programs and browser windows you lot need.

To restart your PC

Select the Start button, so select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open merely the apps you need, then shut them when yous're done.

Sometimes apps that were fabricated for an earlier version of Windows will notwithstanding run on Windows 11, just they might slow downwardly your PC. If this happens afterward y'all open a sure program, check the software company'southward website for an updated version, or run the Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Select Search, type troubleshoot in the search box, then select Troubleshoot settings > Other troubleshooters.
Nether Other, select the Run button side by side toProgram Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Select the programme that you're having issues with, then select Next and go on through the troubleshooter.

PC yet running slowly? Go along to the adjacent tip.

ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to meliorate your PC's performance without opening your PC and calculation more memory (RAM). To utilise ReadyBoost, yous'll need a USB wink drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB free and a high data transfer rate.

To use ReadyBoost

Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Press and hold (or correct-click) the USB flash drive (or SD carte du jour if you lot used ane instead), then select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, so select Employ this device.
Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it can't, it'll let you know.
After Windows determines how much gratis space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can use it.

When you look at the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer, yous'll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.

Note:ReadyBoost can't be used if Windows is installed on a solid country drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to meliorate its operation.

The paging file is an area on your hard disk that Windows uses like memory. There's a setting in Windows 11 that manages the page file size automatically, which can help meliorate your PC's functioning.

To brand sure automatic folio file management is turned on

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced organisation in the search box, and and then select View advanced organization settings, which has Control console listed underneath it.
In System Properties, select the Advanced tab, so select Settings in the Functioning area.
In Functioning Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Change in the Virtual retentiveness area.
Make certain the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the adjacent tip. If it's non, select it and so restart your PC by selecting the Start > Power > Restart.

Utilise your PC and see if it'due south running better. If it's not, endeavour the side by side tip.

You may amend performance if you costless some disk infinite on your PC.

To check for low disk space

Select the Start button, and then select Settings> System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Your drives volition be listed in the Storage surface area. Note the corporeality of complimentary space and total size for each drive.

Notation:If your PC is not depression on space, endeavor the adjacent tip.

You tin can utilise Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can also complimentary upwards space.

If you turn on Storage Sense, Windows will automatically free upwardly space by getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you lot're low on disk infinite or at intervals you specify. The instructions beneath show you how to delete temporary files and how to plough on and configure Storage Sense.

If you can't find Storage Sense on your device using the following steps, run into the "Gratuitous upward infinite with Disk cleanup" section below instead.

Note:You lot may non want to delete temporary files to improve operation. While these files may not exist used at the moment, they help your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Open up Settings, then select System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Note: If you don't see Temporary files listed, select Testify more categories.
Windows volition have a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking up the near space on your PC.
Select the items you lot want to delete, and and then select Remove files.

To see what's in your Recycle Bin before you empty it, open it from your desktop. If you don't see the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, type recycle bin, then select Recycle Bin from the listing of results.

Note:Windows moves files you delete to the Recycle Bin in example you change your listen and need them again in the future. Yous might be able to free up a significant amount of infinite by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Open Settings, then selectArrangement> Storage.
Open Storage settings
In the Storage management expanse, turn on Storage Sense.
Select the > for Storage Sense to configure information technology.
Under Cleanup of temporary files, ensure Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning upwardly temporary system and app files is checked.
Nether Configure cleanup schedules, choose how often you want Storage Sense to run.
For the files y'all want Storage Sense to delete (your choices are files in your Recycle Bin and in your Downloads binder), select the preferred time intervals, or select Never if you desire Storage Sense to leave those types of files solitary.
Ringlet downward and select Run Storage Sense now.
Windows will take a few moments to clean upwardly your files, and and so yous'll see a message indicating how much disk space has been freed upward.

If your organization doesn't have Storage Sense, you can use the Deejay Cleanup tool to delete temporary files and organization files from your device.

To run Disk Cleanup

Select Search, blazon disk cleanup, then select Disk Cleanup from the listing of results.
Select the checkbox next to the type of files you desire to delete. (To view a description of each blazon of file, select the proper noun.) By default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Cyberspace Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Exist sure to articulate those cheque boxes if y'all don't want to delete those files.
To free up fifty-fifty more infinite, select Clean upwards organization files. Deejay Cleanup will take a few moments to summate the corporeality of space that a can exist freed up.

Note:If information technology'south been fewer than x days since you upgraded to Windows 11, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a system file you tin can delete. If you need to gratis up drive space, you tin can delete information technology, merely go on in mind that you'll exist deleting your Windows.quondam binder, which contains files that give you lot the option to become back to your previous version of Windows. If y'all delete your previous version of Windows, this can't exist undone. (You won't exist able to go back to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files y'all want to delete, select OK, then select Delete files in the confirmation window to starting time the cleanup.

If your PC still runs slowly, endeavor uninstalling apps you lot don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps y'all don't use anymore

Select the Offset button, then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Open Apps & features settings
Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are using the about space.
When you find an app to remove, select the More icon next to it and, if possible, select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and run across if performance has improved.

If your PC withal runs slowly, attempt moving files to another drive.

If you take photos, music, or other files that yous want to keep simply don't use oftentimes, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. Yous'll still exist able to use them when the drive is continued, simply they won't take up space on your PC.

To motility files to some other bulldoze

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorerfrom the taskbar and find the files you want to move.
Select the files, go toHome, then select Move to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, and then select Motility.
Restart your PC and meet if performance has improved.

Get more info about freeing drive infinite in Windows.

If your PC nevertheless runs slowly, try the next tip.

Windows 11 includes many visual effects, such equally animations and shadow effects. These expect swell, but they tin can also employ additional system resources and can slow downwardly your PC. This is especially truthful if you have a PC with a smaller corporeality of memory (RAM).

To conform the visual furnishings in Windows

Select Search, blazon performance, then select Adjust the advent and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Furnishings tab, select Suit for best operation > Apply.
Restart your PC and see if that speeds upward your PC.

If your PC still runs slowly, continue to the next tip.

Your PC settings let you choose where files will be saved by default. You can save files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files between the two locations. This lets you lot get to your files from any device that can connect to the internet, and information technology helps make sure your files are backed up in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. All the same, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can irksome down your PC. You can pause OneDrive syncing temporarily and run into if it helps improve your PC performance.

To suspension syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive near the notification area.
SelectOneDrive > Help & Settings > Pause syncing,and then choose how long y'all want to suspension syncing your files.
Restart your PC and see if your performance bug accept improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive > Help & Settings> Resume syncing.

You can too visit Fix OneDrive sync problems to cheque for any sync bug.

When you lot turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. Y'all can disable these programs so they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. You lot don't realize they're running, but they'll open quickly when you become to apply them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but non for programs you don't utilize oftentimes because it increases the time it takes Windows to start.

Find the programs that outset automatically

Sometimes you can determine which programs get-go automatically by looking at the programme icons in the notification area on the far right of the taskbar. Check there first to see if there are whatever programs running that you don't want to first automatically. To try to detect out the proper noun of the plan, signal to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make sure yous select Show hidden icons , so yous don't miss any programs.

Even after you check the notification area, yous might however miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Hither's how you lot can find all the programs that starting time automatically, and terminate the ones that yous don't want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a program from starting automatically

Select the Startbutton, then selectSettings >Apps>Startup.
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps surface area, find the program you want to finish from starting automatically and set it toOff.

Note:If you turn off a programme and it continues to showtime automatically when Windows starts, you should scan for viruses and malware. Encounter the next department for more than info.

A virus, malware, or malicious software could crusade your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected popular-up letters, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to endeavour to prevent them past running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it upwards to date. However, even if you take precautions, your PC can still get infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows eleven. For more info, meet How to protect your Windows PC.

Notes:

If you lot're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, run into the documentation for that program to acquire how to scan for viruses. Also, make sure multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, choose the one yous desire to run, and then disable or uninstall any others.
If you accept another antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off past default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security

Select Commencement > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security,and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, then select Protection updates nether Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Bank check for updates to make sure you have the near recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, so select Quick browse.

Look for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced scan. This browse takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for assist.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem yous were having with your PC.

Note:If Windows Security doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or tin't terminate scanning for viruses, try running Microsoft Defender Offline, which is explained below.

To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline

Save whatsoever documents or anything else you might take open on your PC.
SelectCommencement > Settings> Privacy & security > Windows Security, and then selectOpen up Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then under Current threats, select Browse options > Microsoft Defender Offline scan > Scan now.

Your PC will restart, and Microsoft Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take xv minutes or so, and your PC will restart again after that.
Attempt to reproduce the functioning issue.

If your PC still runs slowly, continue to the next tip.

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing problems. If y'all call back a recently installed app, commuter, or update for Windows could be causing problems, you lot might get things running ordinarily again by restoring your PC to an earlier betoken, chosen a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore betoken won't affect your personal files, but information technology will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed afterward the restore point was created.
Arrangement restore works for changes made in the last 7 to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

Select Search on the taskbar, blazon advanced system, then select View advanced organisation settings from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Organization Restore.
Select Recommended restore to go with the most contempo restore point Windows has made automatically, or Choose a different restore point to select 1 yourself, and then selectNext.
If yous chose to select a unlike restore point, select ane, then select Next. Either mode, select Finish to begin restoring.
In one case the restore is completed, restart your PC and run across if functioning has improved.

If you don't run into any restore points, it might be because system protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

In the search box on the taskbar, blazon create a restore betoken, then select Create a restore point from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Turn on system protection > OK.

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might aid speed things up. The tips are listed in order, so start with the showtime one, see if that helps, and then keep to the adjacent 1 if it doesn't.

One of the all-time ways to go the almost out of your PC is to brand sure you have the latest version of Windows x installed. When you cheque for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can likewise help improve your PC's performance.

To check for updates

Select the Commencement push button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Practise ane of the following:
- If the status says "You're up to appointment," get to the side by side tip.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you want to install, and then select Install.
Restart your PC and meet if it seems to run amend.

For more info about updates, including how yous can have them installed automatically, see the Windows Update FAQ.

For Windows Update troubleshooting info, see Update Windows x and Troubleshoot problems updating Windows ten.

If your PC still runs slowly, keep to the next tip.

Having many apps, programs, web browsers, and then on open at once tin slow down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at one time tin can also slow it downwards quite a flake. If this is happening, close whatever apps, browser tabs, etc., that you lot don't demand and run across if that helps speed up your PC. If it doesn't seem to assist, restart your PC so open up merely the apps, programs and browser windows y'all need.

To restart your PC

Select the Showtime button, then select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open merely the apps y'all need, then shut them when you're washed.

Sometimes apps that were fabricated for an earlier version of Windows volition nevertheless run on Windows x, only they might tiresome down your PC. If this happens after yous open a sure plan, check the software visitor's website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

In the search box on the taskbar, type troubleshoot, and so select Troubleshoot settings, which has Organization settings listed underneath information technology.
In the listing of troubleshooters, select Plan Compatibility Troubleshooter > Run the troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having problems with, then select Side by side and continue through the troubleshooter.

PC nevertheless running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets you lot utilise a removable drive, like a USB wink drive, to improve your PC's functioning without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, y'all'll need a USB flash bulldoze or a memory card that has at least 500 MB costless and a high data transfer charge per unit.

To utilize ReadyBoost

Insert the USB wink bulldoze into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Printing and agree (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD carte if y'all used one instead), and so select Backdrop.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Employ this device.
Windows determines if the device can employ ReadyBoost. If information technology tin't, it'll let you know.
Afterwards Windows determines how much complimentary space to use to optimize retentiveness, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost tin can use it.

When you look at the contents of the USB flash bulldoze in File Explorer, y'all'll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much infinite is reserved for ReadyBoost.

Note:ReadyBoost can't be used if Windows is installed on a solid state drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to meliorate its operation.

The paging file is an area on your hard disk that Windows uses like retentiveness. In that location's a setting in Windows ten that manages the page file size automatically, which can help improve your PC'south performance.

To brand sure automatic page file management is turned on

In the search box on the taskbar, type advanced system, and then select View advanced system settings, which has Command panel listed underneath it.
In System Properties, select the Advanced tab, then select Settings in the Performance area.
In Functioning Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Change in the Virtual retentiveness area.
Make sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the next tip. If it'southward not, select information technology and then restart your PC past selecting the First push button > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and see if information technology's running meliorate. If information technology'due south not, try the next tip.

You may improve performance if you gratis some disk space on your PC.

To bank check for depression disk space

Select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open up Storage settings
Your drives will be listed in the Storage area. Note the amount of free space and full size for each bulldoze.

Note:If your PC is not low on space, try the side by side tip.

You lot tin use Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can also free upwardly space.

If you turn on Storage Sense, Windows will automatically costless up infinite by getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you're depression on disk space or at intervals you specify. The instructions below show you how to delete temporary files and how to turn on and configure Storage Sense.

If y'all can't find Storage Sense on your device using the post-obit steps, encounter the "Free up space with Disk cleanup" section below instead.

Annotation:You lot may not desire to delete temporary files to improve performance. While these files may not exist used at the moment, they help your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Select the Outset push button, then select Settings > Organisation > Storage .
Open up Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Note: If yous don't encounter Temporary files listed, select Show more categories.
Windows will have a few moments to determine what files and apps are taking up the most space on your PC.
Select the items you lot desire to delete, and and then select Remove files.

To see what'due south in your Recycle Bin before you empty information technology, open it from your desktop. If you don't see the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, in the search bar on the taskbar, type recycle bin, then select Recycle Bin from the list of results.

Annotation:Windows moves files you delete to the Recycle Bin in case you change your heed and demand them again in the future. Y'all might be able to free up a significant amount of infinite by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files y'all've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Select the Start push button, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
In the Storage area, plow on Storage Sense.
Select Configure Storage Sense or run it at present.
In theStorage Sense area, choose how often you want Storage Sense to run.
In the Temporary Files area, select Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using.
Select which files you want Storage Sense to delete (your choices are files in your Recycle Bin and in your Downloads folder), so select the corresponding fourth dimension intervals.
Curl down and select Clean now.
Windows will take a few moment to make clean upwards your files, and then you'll see a bulletin indicating how much disk infinite has been freed up.

If your arrangement doesn't take Storage Sense, you can apply the Disk Cleanup tool to delete temporary files and system files from your device.

To run Disk Cleanup

In the search box on the taskbar, type deejay cleanup, then select Deejay Cleanup from the listing of results.
Select the checkbox next to the blazon of files y'all want to delete. (To view a description of each blazon of file, select the proper noun.) Past default, Downloaded Plan Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Be sure to clear those check boxes if you lot don't want to delete those files.
To free up fifty-fifty more than space, select Make clean up system files. Deejay Cleanup volition take a few moments to calculate the amount of space that a can be freed upwards.

Notation:If it'due south been fewer than 10 days since yous upgraded to Windows 10, your previous version of Windows volition be listed every bit a system file you can delete. If you need to free upwardly drive space, you can delete it, just keep in mind that yous'll be deleting your Windows.old folder, which contains files that give you the choice to get back to your previous version of Windows. If you delete your previous version of Windows, this can't be undone. (You lot won't be able to go back to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you want to delete, select OK, then select Delete files in the confirmation window to offset the cleanup.

If your PC still runs slowly, endeavor uninstalling apps you don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps yous don't use anymore

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Open Apps & features settings
Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are using the most space.
When you lot find an app to remove, choose it from the list and select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if functioning has improved.

If your PC still runs slowly, endeavor moving files to another drive.

If you have photos, music, or other files that you desire to keep but don't utilise often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB bulldoze. You'll still be able to use them when the drive is connected, but they won't take up infinite on your PC.

To motility files to another drive

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar and notice the files yous want to motion.
Select the files, become toHabitation, and so select Motility to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and encounter if operation has improved.

Get more info near freeing drive space in Windows 10.

If your PC still runs slowly, try the side by side tip.

Windows x includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow furnishings. These expect not bad, but they can also use additional system resource and can irksome down your PC. This is especially truthful if you lot have a PC with a smaller amount of retentivity (RAM).

To adjust the visual furnishings in Windows

In the search box on the taskbar, type operation, then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance > Employ.
Restart your PC and run into if that speeds upward your PC.

If your PC even so runs slowly, keep to the adjacent tip.

Your PC settings let y'all choose where files will be saved by default. You lot can save files on your PC or to OneDrive by default and sync files between the two locations. This lets you become to your files from any device that can connect to the net, and it helps make sure your files are backed up in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. However, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing can wearisome downwardly your PC. Yous tin intermission OneDrive syncing temporarily and see if it helps ameliorate your PC performance.

To pause syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, expect forOneDrive almost the notification area.
SelectOneDrive >More > Pause syncing,so cull how long you lot want to pause syncing your files.
Restart your PC and run across if your performance issues have improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive >More than> Resume syncing.

You tin likewise visit Prepare OneDrive sync bug to cheque for any sync issues.

Notes:

If yous have Window ten version 1709 or higher, yous can use OneDrive Files On-Need to choose which files y'all want to sync and always keep on your PC. This can help improve PC operation if you reduce the number of files that are synced to your PC. To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the First push button, and then select Settings > System > Near.
Open About settings
For more info on OneDrive Files On-Demand, see Learn nearly OneDrive Files On-Need.

When you turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs so they don't run when your PC starts.

Many programs are designed to first automatically when Windows does. You don't realize they're running, just they'll open quickly when you lot go to use them. This is helpful for programs you lot use a lot, but non for programs you don't use oft because it increases the time it takes Windows to start.

Notice the programs that kickoff automatically

Sometimes you lot can determine which programs start automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification expanse on the far correct of the taskbar. Check at that place first to run across if there are whatever programs running that yous don't want to start automatically. To try to find out the proper noun of the plan, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make certain you select Show hidden icons , so you don't miss any programs.

Show hidden icons in the notification area

Notification expanse with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

Even after you cheque the notification area, yous might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Hither'south how yous can find all the programs that outset automatically, and stop the ones that you don't want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To terminate a program from starting automatically

Select the Start button, then selectSettings >Apps >Startup .
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps area, discover the plan you want to terminate from starting automatically and fix it toOff.

Notes:

If you plow off a program and it continues to start automatically when Windows starts, yous should browse for viruses and malware. Run into the next department for more info.
To apply the procedure above to terminate a program from starting automatically, yous need to have Windows ten (Version 1803 or higher) installed. To run into which version of Windows x your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > About.
Open Most settings
If yous have Windows ten (Version 1709 or before) installed, printing Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Director, select Startup, select the plan yous want to stop from starting automatically, so select Disable.

A virus, malware, or malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected popular-upwardly messages, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the audio of your hard disk drive constantly working.

The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to effort to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to appointment. However, fifty-fifty if you have precautions, your PC can withal become infected.

You tin can browse your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Heart), which is included in Windows 10. For more info, run into How to protect your Windows 10 PC.

Notes:

If y'all're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, run across the documentation for that program to learn how to scan for viruses. Also, make sure multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same time. If they are, cull the 1 you lot want to run, so disable or uninstall whatever others.
If you take another antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To browse for viruses using Windows Security (Windows ten Version 1809 or later)

Select Offset > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select 5 irus & threat protection, and then select Check for updates under Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Check for updates to make sure you have the well-nigh recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan.

Look for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Practice ane of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended avant-garde browse. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance trouble you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Security doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or can't terminate scanning for viruses, attempt running Windows Defender Offline, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows ten Version 1809 or afterward).
To meet which version of Windows x your device is currently running, select the Start push button, then select Settings > System > Near.
Open About settings

To scan for viruses using Windows Defender Security Center (Windows 10 Version 1803)

SelectOutset > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then select Open up Windows Defender Security Center.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Virus & threat protection updates > Check for updates to make sure you accept the latest definition file.
Select theVirus & threat protection tab, and then select Browse now.

Wait for Windows Defender Security Center to terminate scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended advanced scan. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Defender Security Center finds a virus or malware and can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the functioning problem y'all were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Defender Security Center doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or tin't finish scanning for viruses, effort running Windows Defender in Offline Way, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803).
To come across which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the First button, then select Settings > System > About.
Open Nearly settings

To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1809 or afterwards)

Save any documents or annihilation else you might have open on your PC.
SelectGet-go > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then under Current threats, select Browse options > Windows Defender Offline scan > Browse now.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take xv minutes or and so, and your PC will restart again subsequently that.
Try to reproduce the functioning outcome.

If your PC notwithstanding runs slowly, continue to the next tip.

To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows ten Version 1803)

Save any documents or annihilation else you lot might take open on your PC.
SelectStarting time > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and and then selectOpen Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Run a new advanced browse > Windows Defender Offline scan > Scan at present.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline volition run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again subsequently that.
Try to reproduce the operation upshot.

If your PC notwithstanding runs slowly, go on to the side by side tip.

Restoring your PC undoes contempo changes that might exist causing problems. If you lot retrieve a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could be causing problems, you might go things running normally once more by restoring your PC to an earlier indicate, called a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore point won't affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed after the restore signal was created.
System restore works for changes made in the final 7 to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

In the search box on the taskbar, type restore point, then select Create a restore betoken from the list of results.
On the Organization Protection tab, select Organisation Restore.
Select Next, and so choose the restore bespeak related to the app, commuter, or update that might be causing the problem. Then selectAdjacent > Finish.
Restart your PC and see if functioning has improved.

If you don't meet any restore points, it might be considering organization protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

In the search box on the taskbar, blazon restore betoken, then select Create a restore bespeak from the list of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Plow on system protection > OK.