How to Speed Up a Slow Computer Without Buying New Parts

A slow computer is usually caused by too many programs starting at once, too little free memory or storage, or old software. Before you spend money on new hardware, try the steps below. Many of them take only a few minutes and cost nothing.

Step 1: Restart the computer

Restarting clears memory and stops background processes that have built up. If your computer has been running for weeks without a restart, this alone can make a clear difference.

Step 2: Disable unnecessary startup programs

Windows: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the Startup apps tab, and disable programs you do not need at startup.
Mac: open System Settings, then General, then Login Items, and remove apps that open automatically without a good reason.

Step 3: Check memory and processor use

Open Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac and sort by memory or CPU. Quit programs that use far more than their share without a good reason. Our guide on using Task Manager explains what each column means.

Step 4: Free up storage

A drive that is nearly full slows everything down. Follow the steps in how to free up disk space, aiming to keep at least 15% free.

Step 5: Install updates

Updates often include speed improvements and fixes. Install them as described in how to update your computer safely.

Step 6: Remove malware and clutter

Unwanted browser extensions and toolbars slow down browsing. Remove the ones you do not recognise, and run the built-in security scan. If the computer still behaves strangely, read what malware is and how to remove it.

Step 7: Consider more memory or an SSD

If the computer still struggles after the steps above, it may need more memory. Upgrading a hard disk to an SSD is also one of the biggest speed improvements for an older machine. See SSD versus hard disk.

What not to do

Do not install "registry cleaner" or "optimiser" programs that promise large speed gains. They rarely help and can cause harm.
Do not turn off security features to gain speed.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my computer slow only sometimes?

Background tasks such as updates, backups or indexing may run at the same time as your work. Check Task Manager when the slowdown happens to see what is using the resources.

Does reinstalling Windows make it faster?

A clean install can help if the system is badly cluttered, but it takes time and needs a full backup first. Try the simpler steps first.

Remove unused browser extensions

Each browser extension runs in the background and can slow down page loading. Open the extensions page in your browser, review the list, and remove anything you no longer use or do not recognise. Keep only the few extensions that add real value, such as a password manager.

Check the battery and power mode

On a laptop, a power plan set to save energy can reduce performance noticeably. On Windows, choose a balanced power mode when plugged in. On a Mac, check that Low Power Mode is off while you are working on a charger. A quick check like this can explain a slowdown that seemed mysterious.