How to Speed Up a Slow Windows PC in 15 Minutes

Why PCs slow down (the simple version)

Three causes do almost all the damage: too many programs starting with Windows, a nearly full disk, and heat (a dusty PC slows itself down to avoid melting). Here's the fix order:

The 15-minute fix

• 1. Trim startup programs (5 min, biggest win). Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Startup apps tab. Disable everything you don't need at boot (Spotify, Adobe updaters, game launchers). Don't disable antivirus or audio drivers.
• 2. Free up disk space. Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files. Check "Windows Update cleanup" and "Temporary files" — often 10–30 GB. Aim to keep 20% of your drive free.
• 3. Uninstall the junk. Settings → Apps. Sort by size. That free game you played once and five "PC optimizer" tools? Remove them all.
• 4. Check for malware. Run a full scan with Windows Security (free, built-in) or Malwarebytes. Cryptominers hide as "system" processes and slow PCs dramatically.
• 5. Update Windows and drivers. Settings → Windows Update. Then get graphics drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel directly.
• 6. Turn off visual extras. Search "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" → "Adjust for best performance" or keep only "Smooth edges of screen fonts."
• 7. Dust check. If the fan roars and the bottom is hot, the CPU is throttling. Compressed air through the vents (or a $30 cleaning at a repair shop) restores full speed.
• 8. The RAM question. Open Task Manager while you work. If memory sits above 85%, more RAM is the real fix — 8 GB is the 2026 minimum, 16 GB is comfortable.

If it's still slow

Check Task Manager: if "Disk" is at 100% constantly, your drive may be dying — back up immediately and replace it with an SSD (the single biggest speed upgrade an old PC can get, $50–100).