Making it faster and figuring out why it is so slow.

[Lucaz1]

Hello! I have had this computer for one and a half years After six months of use, the computer stopped being able to do everything it could before It has become slow and can hardly load anything except for things like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix etc. Even these programs take around 10 minutes to start How should I best fix this problem? (I have tried factory resetting and it is still slow)

[Rachel571]

Hi @Lucaz1,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

When a computer that was previously fast becomes slow over time, it can be frustrating. Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and address the performance issues:

**1. Check for Resource-Intensive Processes

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.Go to the Processes tab and check for any applications or processes that are using high CPU, memory, or disk resources.Identify and close any unnecessary applications or processes.

**2. Update Drivers and Software

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.Check for and install any pending updates.
2. Open Device Manager (right-click on Start and select Device Manager).Update drivers for key components, such as graphics cards, network adapters, and storage controllers.

**3. Check for Malware and Viruses:

1. Use Windows Defender or any other reputable antivirus software to run a full system scan.Remove any detected threats and perform additional scans with tools like Malwarebytes if needed.

**4. Optimize Startup Programs:

1. Open Task Manager and go to the Startup tab.Disable any unnecessary startup programs that might be slowing down your system.

**5. Clean Up System Files

1. Search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu.Select the drive you want to clean and follow the prompts to remove temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary files.Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.Uninstall any programs you no longer use.

**6. Check for Hardware Issues

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type chkdsk /f and press Enter. This will check for and attempt to fix file system errors on the hard drive.

• SSD: If your computer has a traditional HDD, consider upgrading to an SSD for better performance.

1. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for RAM issues.Type mdsched in the Start menu and follow the prompts.

**7. Optimize System Performance

Power Settings:

1. Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.Select High performance or adjust your power plan settings for better performance.

Performance Options:

1. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.Click on Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance.
2. Select Adjust for best performance or customize visual effects.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support