Slow laptop, tried everything, and the computer isn't malfunctioning?

[Andy494]

I was gifted this HP laptop around 2018; it was bought from a pawn shop. When it was bought, the warranty had already expired. Something I noticed with this laptop is how incredibly slow it is. When I click on an app, it'll take several seconds or minutes to respond. When I play a game, it becomes incredibly laggy despite having good internet. Sometimes, the app or screen would freeze for a while, sometimes even randomly closing the app to use or causing the entire screen to turn black and do a "reboot." It even takes a while for the Windows update to respond and even longer to download, as in I could leave the laptop to update overnight, and in the morning, it'll still be at 5 or 20% at best. I have already checked the laptop several times for any physical issues and issues with the hardware, battery, etc. I used the Windows app to enhance performance and check diagnostics and for viruses, and it told me my computer was fine. However, the problems persist. I already tried almost everything that was suggested the last time I asked here, too, but my laptop still freezes, and my laptop doesn't seem to have any issues I'm aware of. 
Edit: it's not letting me add my product but it's an HP Notebook - 15-bs234wm

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Even on a good day, your notebook isn't going to run well with an entry level Pentium processor and a 2.5" mechanical hard drive.

The only way you can squeeze any more speed out of it would be to replace the 500 GB 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SATA solid state drive (SSD), and reinstall Windows on the new drive.

Amazon.com: Western Digital 500GB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/...

Also, remove the 4 GB memory chip it came with and replace it with an 8 GB memory chip.

Timetec 8GB DDR4 2666MHz (DDR4-2666) PC4-21300 ((PC4-2666V) Non-ECC Unbuffered 1.2V CL19 1Rx8 Single...

Those upgrades should get your notebook to run the tolerable range (from an F to a  C-), but won't help much with video gaming because the notebook was not designed for that kind of thing.

Below is the link to the service manual:

HP 15 Laptop PC (Intel)HP 15g Laptop PCHP 15q Laptop PC Maintenance and Service Guide