There’s nothing more frustrating than a slow computer—especially when you’ve got things to do.
But before you give up and start Googling new laptops, try these three easy fixes that can make a big difference.
1. Close Programs You’re Not Using
If you’ve got a few apps open (plus a few hiding in the background), your computer can start to lag.
Try this:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager
- Click the “Processes” tab
- Find programs you’re not using, right-click them, and select “End task”
If you’re unsure what something is, just leave it—it’s okay to only close what you recognize.
2. Clear Out the Digital Clutter
Over time, your PC stores temporary files and other digital leftovers. Clearing these out can give it a noticeable speed boost.
Do a quick clean-up:
- Click Start, then type “Disk Cleanup” and open it
- Choose your drive (usually C:) and click OK
- Tick the boxes for things like Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, etc.
- Click “Clean up system files” and repeat the process
Don’t worry—your documents, photos, and apps won’t be affected.
3. Stop Unnecessary Apps from Starting Automatically
Some apps sneak their way into starting every time your computer switches on—even if you don’t use them right away.
Here’s how to manage that:
- Open Task Manager again (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
- Click on the Startup tab
- Right-click and Disable apps you don’t need launching on startup
For example, Spotify or Teams can be disabled if you don’t use them daily. Just leave things like your antivirus alone!
A slow computer doesn’t always mean it’s broken or outdated.
Sometimes, a few simple changes are all you need to get things running smoothly again.
Still not speeding up? We’re just a message or call away and always happy to help you figure it out.
