How To Check Computer Speed On Windows 10

If your PC is running slowly, the post-obit suggestions might help speed things up. The tips are listed in social club, so showtime with the commencement one, run across if that helps, and and then proceed to the next i if it doesn't.

One of the best ways to go the most out of your PC is to make certain you accept the latest version of Windows 11 installed. When you cheque for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can as well aid meliorate your PC'south performance.

To check for updates

Select the Starting time button, then select Settings > Windows Update >Check for updates.
Check for Windows updates
Exercise one of the following:
- If the status says "You're upwards to appointment," go on and check for optional updates.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you lot 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, will be available that may help.

To check for optional updates

Select the Kickoff push button, then select Settings > Windows Update > Avant-garde options > Optional updates.
If additional updates are available, select them and then select Download & install.
Restart your PC and meet if it seems to run better.

For more info about updates, including how y'all can have them installed automatically, meet the Windows Update FAQ.

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

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

Having many apps, programs, spider web browsers, and so on open at once tin can ho-hum downwards your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open at once can as well slow it down quite a bit. If this is happening, close any apps, browser tabs, etc., that y'all don't need and see if that helps speed upwards your PC. If information technology doesn't seem to aid, restart your PC and and then open up just the apps, programs and browser windows you demand.

To restart your PC

Select the Get-go button, then select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, open up just the apps you need, then shut them when you're done.

Sometimes apps that were made for an earlier version of Windows will however run on Windows xi, but they might tiresome down your PC. If this happens after you open a certain program, check the software visitor'south website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter

Select Search, blazon troubleshoot in the search box, then select Troubleshoot settings > Other troubleshooters.
Nether Other, select the Run button next toPlan Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Select the plan that you're having problems with, so select Next and continue through the troubleshooter.

PC still running slowly? Continue to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets you lot utilize a removable drive, similar a USB flash drive, to ameliorate your PC's performance without opening your PC and adding more than memory (RAM). To employ ReadyBoost, you'll demand a USB flash drive or a retentiveness bill of fare 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 bulldoze (or SD card if you used one instead), then select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Utilise this device.
Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it tin't, information technology'll let you know.
Afterward Windows determines how much free space to use to optimize retention, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can use it.

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

Annotation:ReadyBoost tin can't be used if Windows is installed on a solid state drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't exist able to improve its performance.

The paging file is an area on your hard disk that Windows uses like retention. There's a setting in Windows 11 that manages the page file size automatically, which can assistance improve your PC'due south performance.

To brand sure automatic page file management is turned on

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced arrangement in the search box, and then select View advanced system settings, which has Control panel listed underneath it.
In System Properties, select the Advanced tab, then select Settings in the Performance expanse.
In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Change in the Virtual retentivity area.
Brand sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is selected. If it is, continue to the next tip. If it's not, select it and so restart your PC by selecting the Start > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and see if it'due south running amend. If information technology's not, effort the adjacent tip.

You may better operation if you lot complimentary some disk space on your PC.

To check for low disk space

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

Note:If your PC is not low on space, endeavor the next tip.

Y'all can apply Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can also gratis up space.

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

If you tin't detect Storage Sense on your device using the post-obit steps, see the "Free up space with Deejay cleanup" section below instead.

Notation:You may not want to delete temporary files to improve performance. While these files may non be used at the moment, they aid your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Open Settings, then select System > Storage.
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Note: If you don't run across Temporary files listed, select Show more than categories.
Windows will have a few moments to make up one's mind what files and apps are taking up the most space on your PC.
Select the items you lot desire to delete, 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 come across 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 yous delete to the Recycle Bin in case you lot change your listen and need them again in the future. Yous might be able to free upwardly a significant amount of space by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To plough on and configure Storage Sense

Open Settings, then selectOrganization> Storage.
Open Storage settings
In the Storage direction area, plough on Storage Sense.
Select the > for Storage Sense to configure it.
Under Cleanup of temporary files, ensure Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning up temporary system and app files is checked.
Under Configure cleanup schedules, cull how oftentimes yous want Storage Sense to run.
For the files yous 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 lot desire Storage Sense to go out those types of files alone.
Coil down and select Run Storage Sense now.
Windows will take a few moments to clean upward your files, and then y'all'll see a message indicating how much disk infinite has been freed up.

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

To run Disk Cleanup

Select Search, type disk cleanup, then select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox side by side to the blazon of files you want to delete. (To view a description of each type of file, select the proper noun.) By default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Be sure to clear those check boxes if y'all don't want to delete those files.
To costless up even more infinite, select Clean up organisation files. Deejay Cleanup will take a few moments to summate the amount of infinite that a can be freed up.

Note:If it'southward been fewer than x days since y'all upgraded to Windows xi, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a organization file you can delete. If you demand to free upwards drive space, yous can delete information technology, but keep in heed that y'all'll be deleting your Windows.old folder, which contains files that give you the option to get back to your previous version of Windows. If you delete your previous version of Windows, this tin can't be undone. (You lot won't be able to get dorsum to your previous version of Windows.)
Select the types of files you want to delete, select OK, and so select Delete files in the confirmation window to start the cleanup.

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

To uninstall apps you lot don't use anymore

Select the Get-go push, 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 near space.
When you discover an app to remove, select the More than icon next to it and, if possible, select Uninstall.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

If your PC still runs slowly, try moving files to some other bulldoze.

If you have photos, music, or other files that you lot want to keep simply don't use often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. Y'all'll withal be able to utilize them when the drive is continued, but they won't have up infinite on your PC.

To motility files to some other drive

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorerfrom the taskbar and find the files yous want to move.
Select the files, go toDwelling, and then select Motility to > Cull location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and come across if functioning has improved.

Get more info virtually freeing bulldoze space in Windows.

If your PC all the same runs slowly, effort the next tip.

Windows xi includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow effects. These look smashing, but they can besides use additional system resources and can deadening downward your PC. This is especially true if you have a PC with a smaller corporeality of retentivity (RAM).

To accommodate the visual effects in Windows

Select Search, type performance, then select Conform the appearance and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for all-time operation > Utilise.
Restart your PC and come across if that speeds upwardly your PC.

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

Your PC settings allow y'all choose where files will be saved by default. You can save files on your PC or to OneDrive past default and sync files between the two locations. This lets you get to your files from any device that tin can connect to the net, and it helps make sure your files are backed up in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. Notwithstanding, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing tin dull downwards your PC. Yous can interruption OneDrive syncing temporarily and meet if it helps amend your PC performance.

To intermission syncing to OneDrive

On the taskbar, look forOneDrive near the notification area.
SelectOneDrive > Help & Settings > Pause syncing,and so choose how long yous want to interruption syncing your files.
Restart your PC and come across if your performance issues take improved with syncing paused.
To resume syncing your files, select OneDrive > Help & Settings> Resume syncing.

You can also visit Fix OneDrive sync problems to check for whatsoever sync issues.

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

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

Find the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you lot can determine which programs first automatically by looking at the programme icons in the notification surface area on the far right of the taskbar. Check there first to run into if there are any programs running that y'all don't want to start automatically. To endeavor to detect out the name of the plan, signal to the icon with your mouse arrow. Brand sure you lot select Prove hidden icons , so y'all don't miss any programs.

Even afterwards you lot bank check the notification area, yous might all the same miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Hither's how you can find all the programs that start automatically, and end the ones that you don't desire to start automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a programme from starting automatically

Select the Startpush button, then selectSettings >Apps>Startup.
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps area, find the programme yous want to cease from starting automatically and prepare it toOff.

Note:If y'all plow off a plan and it continues to commencement automatically when Windows starts, you should browse for viruses and malware. See the next section for more info.

A virus, malware, or malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected pop-up messages, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the audio of your hd constantly working.

The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to preclude them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to engagement. Withal, even if you take precautions, your PC can withal get infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software past using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 11. For more info, run across How to protect your Windows PC.

Notes:

If you're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, see 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, choose the ane you want to run, and so disable or uninstall any others.
If you lot have some other antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To browse for viruses using Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security,and and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open up Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, then select Protection updates nether Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Check for updates to brand sure yous have the most recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, and then select Quick scan.

Wait for Windows Security to cease scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the following, depending on the results of the browse:
- Run the recommended avant-garde scan. This scan takes longer only searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and tin't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
- If no viruses are constitute, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance trouble yous were having with your PC.

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

To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline

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

Your PC volition restart, and Microsoft Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The browse might have fifteen minutes or then, and your PC will restart once again after that.
Try to reproduce the performance consequence.

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

Restoring your PC undoes contempo changes that might be causing problems. If yous think a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could exist causing problems, you might get things running normally again by restoring your PC to an earlier point, called a restore point.

Notes:

Restoring from a restore point won't bear on your personal files, only it volition remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed subsequently the restore bespeak was created.
Organisation restore works for changes made in the last seven to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore indicate

Select Search on the taskbar, type advanced system, then select View advanced organisation settings from the listing of results.
On the Organisation Protection tab, select System Restore.
Select Recommended restore to go with the most recent restore point Windows has made automatically, or Cull a different restore indicate to select ane yourself, then selectNext.
If y'all chose to select a unlike restore bespeak, select ane, then select Adjacent. Either way, select Stop to begin restoring.
Once the restore is completed, restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

If you don't see whatever restore points, it might be because system protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

In the search box on the taskbar, type create a restore betoken, then select Create a restore signal from the list of results.
On the Arrangement Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Plow on organisation protection > OK.

If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things upwards. The tips are listed in order, so start with the get-go one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn't.

One of the best means to get the virtually out of your PC is to make sure you have the latest version of Windows x installed. When you check for updates, your PC will as well search for the latest device drivers, which can also help improve your PC's performance.

To check for updates

Select the Offset button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Cheque for Windows updates
Do one of the following:
- If the condition says "You're up to date," go to the next tip.
- If the status says "Updates are available," select Install now.
Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.
Restart your PC and meet if it seems to run ameliorate.

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

For Windows Update troubleshooting info, see Update Windows 10 and Troubleshoot bug updating Windows 10.

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

Having many apps, programs, web browsers, and and so on open at once can irksome down your PC. Having a lot of browser tabs open up at one time tin also slow it down quite a fleck. If this is happening, close any apps, browser tabs, etc., that y'all don't demand and encounter if that helps speed up your PC. If it doesn't seem to help, restart your PC and then open just the apps, programs and browser windows y'all demand.

To restart your PC

Select the Start button, then select Power > Restart.
Later your PC restarts, open just the apps you need, and so shut them when you lot're done.

Sometimes apps that were made for an earlier version of Windows will nonetheless run on Windows 10, but they might tiresome downward your PC. If this happens afterwards you open a certain plan, check the software visitor's website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter

In the search box on the taskbar, type troubleshoot, then select Troubleshoot settings, which has Organisation settings listed underneath it.
In the list of troubleshooters, select Programme Compatibility Troubleshooter > Run the troubleshooter.
Select the program that you're having bug with, then select Next and proceed through the troubleshooter.

PC still running slowly? Proceed to the next tip.

ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, similar a USB wink drive, to better your PC's functioning without opening your PC and adding more retentivity (RAM). To apply ReadyBoost, you'll demand a USB flash drive or a memory card that has at to the lowest degree 500 MB free and a loftier data transfer rate.

To employ ReadyBoost

Insert the USB wink bulldoze into a USB port on your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
Press and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD bill of fare if you used one instead), so select Properties.
Select the ReadyBoost tab, and then select Utilize this device.
Windows determines if the device can employ ReadyBoost. If it tin can't, it'll let y'all know.
After Windows determines how much costless space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space and then ReadyBoost can utilise it.

When y'all wait 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 state drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to ameliorate its functioning.

The paging file is an surface area on your hd that Windows uses like retentivity. There's a setting in Windows ten that manages the page file size automatically, which tin assist amend your PC'due south performance.

To make certain automatic page file direction is turned on

In the search box on the taskbar, type advanced system, and and then select View advanced arrangement settings, which has Command panel listed underneath information technology.
In Organisation Properties, select the Advanced tab, so select Settings in the Performance area.
In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab, then select Change in the Virtual memory expanse.
Brand sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives cheque box is selected. If it is, keep to the next tip. If information technology's not, select it then restart your PC by selecting the Get-go push > Power > Restart.

Use your PC and see if it's running better. If it's not, attempt the side by side tip.

Yous may improve functioning if you lot free some disk space on your PC.

To check for low disk space

Select the Start push, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open up Storage settings
Your drives will exist listed in the Storage area. Annotation the amount of free space and full size for each drive.

Note:If your PC is not low on infinite, try the next tip.

Y'all tin can apply Storage Sense to delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device, which can also free upward space.

If yous turn on Storage Sense, Windows will automatically costless upwardly space by getting rid of unnecessary files—including files in your recycle bin—when you're low on disk space or at intervals y'all 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 following steps, see the "Free up space with Deejay cleanup" department below instead.

Note:You may non want to delete temporary files to improve performance. While these files may non be used at the moment, they assist your apps load and run faster.

To delete temporary files with Storage Sense

Select the Start push button, then select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
Select Temporary files in the storage breakdown. Notation: If y'all don't see Temporary files listed, select Show more categories.
Windows will have a few moments to make up one's mind what files and apps are taking up the near space on your PC.
Select the items you want to delete, and then select Remove files.

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

Annotation:Windows moves files y'all delete to the Recycle Bin in example y'all change your mind and demand them again in the future. You lot might be able to complimentary upward a significant amount of space by deleting Recycle Bin files to permanently remove files you've previously deleted.

To turn on and configure Storage Sense

Select the Start button, and so select Settings > System > Storage .
Open Storage settings
In the Storage area, turn on Storage Sense.
Select Configure Storage Sense or run information technology now.
In theStorage Sense area, choose how often y'all desire 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), and so select the respective time intervals.
Scroll downwards and select Clean at present.
Windows will take a few moment to clean up your files, and then you'll see a bulletin indicating how much disk space has been freed up.

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

To run Deejay Cleanup

In the search box on the taskbar, blazon disk cleanup, then select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the checkbox adjacent to the type of files you want to delete. (To view a description of each blazon of file, select the proper noun.) By default, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails are selected. Be sure to articulate those check boxes if you don't want to delete those files.
To gratis up fifty-fifty more space, select Clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will take a few moments to summate the amount of space that a can be freed upwards.

Notation:If information technology's been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded to Windows 10, your previous version of Windows will be listed as a system file yous can delete. If you need to complimentary up drive space, you tin delete it, merely go on in mind that you'll be deleting your Windows.old folder, which contains files that give you the option to become back to your previous version of Windows. If yous delete your previous version of Windows, this can't be undone. (You won't be able to get 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 showtime the cleanup.

If your PC nevertheless runs slowly, endeavour uninstalling apps you don't use anymore.

To uninstall apps you lot don't utilise anymore

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

If your PC still runs slowly, try moving files to some other bulldoze.

If yous have photos, music, or other files that you want to keep but don't use often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB drive. You'll even so exist able to use them when the drive is continued, but they won't accept upwards space on your PC.

To movement files to some other bulldoze

Connect the removable media to your PC.
Select File Explorer from the taskbar and discover the files you want to movement.
Select the files, go toHome, and so select Move to > Cull location.
Select your removable media from the location list, then select Move.
Restart your PC and see if performance has improved.

Become more info nearly freeing drive space in Windows 10.

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

Windows 10 includes many visual effects, such as animations and shadow effects. These await slap-up, only they can also use additional arrangement resources and can tedious down your PC. This is especially true if yous take a PC with a smaller corporeality of memory (RAM).

To adjust the visual furnishings in Windows

In the search box on the taskbar, type performance, then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows in the list of results.
On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance > Utilise.
Restart your PC and see if that speeds upwards 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. Yous can save files on your PC or to OneDrive past default and sync files between the 2 locations. This lets you get to your files from any device that tin can connect to the internet, and it helps make certain your files are backed upwards in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. However, files must sync between your PC and OneDrive, and syncing tin irksome down your PC. Y'all can break OneDrive syncing temporarily and meet if it helps improve your PC performance.

To pause syncing to OneDrive

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

You can also visit Prepare OneDrive sync problems to check for whatsoever sync issues.

Notes:

If y'all have Window 10 version 1709 or higher, you can utilize OneDrive Files On-Demand to choose which files you want to sync and always continue on your PC. This can help improve PC performance 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 Start button, and then select Settings > Organization > About.
Open Almost settings
For more info on OneDrive Files On-Demand, come across Learn about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

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

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. Yous don't realize they're running, but they'll open up quickly when you become to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but not for programs you don't utilise often because information technology increases the fourth dimension information technology takes Windows to start.

Discover the programs that first automatically

Sometimes you tin determine which programs start automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification area on the far right of the taskbar. Cheque at that place starting time to see if there are whatsoever programs running that y'all don't want to start automatically. To try to discover out the proper name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make certain you select Show hidden icons , and then y'all don't miss whatever programs.

Show hidden icons in the notification area

Notification surface area with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

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

To finish a program from starting automatically

Select the Beginning push button, then selectSettings >Apps >Startup .
Open Startup Apps settings
In the Startup Apps area, observe the programme you want to stop from starting automatically and gear up it toOff.

Notes:

If you plough off a program and it continues to beginning automatically when Windows starts, you should browse for viruses and malware. See the adjacent section for more info.
To use the process to a higher place to stop a program from starting automatically, yous demand to have Windows 10 (Version 1803 or higher) installed. To run into which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Most.
Open About settings
If y'all have Windows 10 (Version 1709 or before) installed, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager, select Startup, select the program 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 pop-upward messages, programs that unexpectedly commencement automatically, or the audio of your hard disk constantly working.

The all-time fashion to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them past running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to date. Withal, even if you take precautions, your PC can still become infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Centre), which is included in Windows 10. For more info, see How to protect your Windows ten PC.

Notes:

If y'all're using other antivirus or anti-malware software, see the documentation for that program to larn how to scan for viruses. Also, brand certain multiple antivirus programs aren't running at the same fourth dimension. If they are, cull the ane y'all want to run, and then disable or uninstall any others.
If you have some other antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.

To scan for viruses using Windows Security (Windows 10 Version 1809 or afterwards)

Select Beginning > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and and then selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select V irus & threat protection, and then select Check for updates under Virus & threat protection updates.
On the Protection updates screen, select Bank check for updates to make sure y'all have the most recent updates.
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan.

Expect for Windows Security to terminate scanning for viruses and malware.
Do one of the post-obit, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended avant-garde browse. This browse takes longer only searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
- If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and tin can't remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for assistance.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the functioning problem you were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Security doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or can't cease scanning for viruses, endeavor running Windows Defender Offline, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows ten Version 1809 or later).
To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start push, so select Settings > Organisation > Virtually.
Open About settings

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

SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then select Open Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Virus & threat protection updates > Cheque for updates to brand sure you take the latest definition file.
Select theVirus & threat protection tab, and then select Scan now.

Wait for Windows Defender Security Heart to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
Exercise one of the post-obit, depending on the results of the scan:
- Run the recommended avant-garde scan. This browse takes longer merely 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 assist.
- If no viruses are found, restart your PC and attempt to reproduce the performance problem yous were having with your PC.

Notes:

If Windows Defender Security Centre doesn't open, can't update the definition file, or can't finish scanning for viruses, try running Windows Defender in Offline Mode, which is explained below in To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows x Version 1803).
To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Organization > About.
Open About settings

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

Save any documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
SelectBeginning > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and so selectOpen Windows Security.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, and then under Current threats, select Scan options > Windows Defender Offline scan > Scan at present.

Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might have xv minutes or and so, and your PC will restart again later that.
Try to reproduce the performance issue.

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

To scan for malware and viruses with Windows Defender Offline (Windows 10 Version 1803)

Save any documents or anything else yous might accept open on your PC.
SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then selectOpen Windows Defender Security Center.
Open Windows Security settings
Select Virus & threat protection, then select Run a new advanced scan > Windows Defender Offline scan > Browse now.

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

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

Restoring your PC undoes recent changes that might be causing problems. If you lot recall a recently installed app, driver, or update for Windows could exist causing problems, you might get things running commonly once again by restoring your PC to an earlier point, called a restore point.

Notes:

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

To restore your PC from a restore betoken

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

If you don't come across whatsoever restore points, it might be because system protection isn't turned on.

To turn on system protection

In the search box on the taskbar, type restore point, then select Create a restore point from the listing of results.
On the System Protection tab, select Configure.
Select Turn on organisation protection > OK.