Your Windows PC running slow? Here’s how to fix it. These solutions work in 2026.

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Why Is Windows So Slow?

Windows slows down for predictable reasons: too many startup programs, full disk, outdated drivers, or background services eating resources. Here’s how to find and fix each one.

Fix 1: Check What’s Using Your CPU and RAM

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click the Processes tab.

Look for programs using high CPU or Memory. Right-click any suspicious process → End Task.

Common culprits:

  • Chrome with many tabs open — close unused tabs
  • Runtime Broker — Windows Store apps using too much RAM
  • Windows.bf767ac or similar — usually a driver issue
  • Spotify, Discord, Steam — running in background

Fix 2: Disable Startup Programs

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup tab.

Disable anything you don’t need at boot. Common ones to turn off:

  • Spotify, Discord, Skype
  • Adobe Update Manager
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience

Fix 3: Run Disk Cleanup

Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, press Enter.

Select the drive (usually C:) → check everything except Downloads → Delete Files.

Do this every few months.

Fix 4: Scan for Malware

Run a full scan with Windows Defender:

  1. Press Win + I → Privacy & Security → Windows Security
  2. Click Virus & threat protection
  3. Full scan

Also run Malwarebytes for a second opinion.

Fix 5: Update Your Drivers

Press Win + X → Device Manager.

Look for yellow triangle ⚠️ devices. Right-click → Update driver.

For NVIDIA/AMD graphics, download drivers from nvidia.com or amd.com directly.

Fix 6: Check Disk Space

If your SSD is over 90% full, Windows gets very slow.

Press Win + E → right-click C: → Properties → Disk Cleanup.

Delete:

  • %localappdata%\Temp\ contents
  • Windows Update cache: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
  • Old Windows installations: Settings → System → Storage → Cleanup recommendations

Fix 7: Change Power Plan

Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, press Enter.

Select High performance → Change plan settings → Maximum performance.

Set all sleep/display options to Never.

Fix 8: Reset Windows (Last Resort)

Backup your files. Then: Win + I → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Keep my files.

Still slow? The issue is likely hardware — failing HDD, not enough RAM, or overheating. Check your PC’s health with CrystalDiskInfo.