Slow computer

[Heather219]

I use my computer for work.  I just got this last year and it is super slow and unreliable.  Could it be the RAM?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Heather219,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Absolutely — slowness and unreliability on a relatively new HP computer (especially if it’s for work) can be frustrating, and yes, RAM could be one of the reasons — but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Let’s walk through what might be going on, starting with the RAM.

1. RAM (Memory) Issues

• Low RAM (e.g., 4GB): Windows 10/11 and modern apps like browsers, Teams, or Excel can easily use up 4GB or more.
• Symptoms: Sluggish multitasking, freezing when switching apps, and long boot times.
• Fix: Upgrading to 8GB or 16GB can make a huge difference.

You can check your RAM usage:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Go to the Performance tab → Memory

2. Hard Drive Type

• If your laptop has a traditional HDD instead of an SSD, it will be much slower.
• Fix: Upgrading to an SSD is one of the best performance boosts you can get.

3. Background Apps & Startup Programs

• Too many apps running in the background can slow things down.
• Disable unnecessary startup apps:
  • Open Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable non-essential apps

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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VikramTheGreat

HP Support