My laptop is running really slow. What are the first things I should do to speed it up?

The fastest way to improve a slow laptop is to find what’s actually causing the slowdown, then fix that. Try these in order:HP+1

1. Restart it

If your laptop has been sleeping for days or running constantly, restart it first. This clears temporary memory use and stuck background processes.Intel

2. Check what is using resources

Windows:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

• Check:

• CPU — is something constantly near 100%?

• Memory (RAM) — is it nearly full?

• Disk — is it stuck at 100%?

Close apps you recognize but aren’t using.HP

Mac:

• Open Activity Monitor
• Sort by CPU and Memory
• Quit apps using unusually high resources

3. Disable unnecessary startup apps

Too many programs launching when you turn on the laptop can make startup and everyday use slow.

Windows:

• Task Manager → Startup apps
• Disable programs you don’t need immediately after booting

Microsoft Support## 4. Free up storage space

A nearly full drive can slow things down.

• Delete large files you don’t need
• Empty the recycle bin/trash
• Remove unused apps
• Clear temporary files

Windows: Settings → System → Storage can help automate cleanup.Microsoft Support

5. Update the system

Install:

• Operating system updates
• Driver updates
• Browser updates

Updates can include performance fixes.Microsoft Support

6. Check for malware

Run a security scan:

• Windows: Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan
• Mac: make sure macOS and security software are current

Malware or unwanted background software can consume CPU and memory.Microsoft Support

7. Clean up your browser

Browsers are common sources of slowdowns:

• Close unused tabs
• Remove extensions you don’t use
• Restart the browser

8. If it’s still slow, check the hardware

Common bottlenecks:

• Old mechanical hard drive (HDD): upgrading to an SSD can make a major difference
• Low RAM: adding RAM can help if your laptop supports it
• Overheating: dust buildup or failing cooling can cause performance throttlingHP+1

If you tell me:

1. your laptop model,
2. Windows or Mac,
3. how old it is, and
4. whether it’s slow at startup, browsing, or everything,

I can suggest the most likely fix.

The very first thing you should do to speed up a slow laptop is to restart your computer and close unnecessary browser tabs or background apps that consume memory.hp.com

Watch this quick guide to learn more essential steps for making your laptop fast again:

10:56How To Make Your PC FAST in 10 Minutes! (2026)2M views · 3 years agoYouTube · Austin Davenport

Immediate Steps to Speed Up Your Laptop

• 1. Restart the computer : Clear your temporary memory and stop stuck background processes by doing a clean reboot.hp.com
• 1. Disable startup programs : Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager , go to the Startup tab, and turn off apps you do not need running right when your laptop turns on.hp.com
• 1. Free up storage space : Go to your system settings and turn on Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files and clear space on your main drive.support.microsoft.com
• 1. Check for malware : Run a quick virus scan using Windows Security or a trusted secondary scanner to catch background software stealing your processing power.support.microsoft.com
• 1. Check for updates : Install the latest system patches and hardware drivers through your operating system's update menu.youtube.com+1

If you want to narrow down the issue, tell me:

• What operating system are you using (Windows 11, macOS, or ChromeOS)?
• Does it slow down all the time or only when you open specific apps or websites?

To speed up a sluggish laptop, you should restart the system, disable unnecessary startup programs via the Task Manager, and uninstall unused applications.youtube.com+1

Watch this short video for a quick visual guide on how to boost your laptop speed in minutes:

10:56How To Make Your PC FAST in 10 Minutes! (2026)2M views · 3 years agoYouTube · Austin Davenport

Essential Steps to Speed Up Your Laptop

1. Restart your computer : A simple reboot clears the system memory (RAM) and stops rogue background processes that may be dragging down performance.hp.com
2. Disable startup programs : Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager , navigate to the Startup tab, and disable non-essential apps that launch automatically when your computer turns on.techcommunity.microsoft.com+1
3. Uninstall unused apps : Go to your system settings, locate your installed applications, and remove software or bloatware you no longer use to free up valuable storage.youtube.com+1
4. Clean up temporary files : Use built-in utilities like Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup to clear out cache files and free up disk space.youtube.com+2
5. Check for system updates : Visit your operating system's update page (such as Windows Update ) to install the latest performance patches and driver improvements.youtube.com+1

If you can tell me whether you use Windows or macOS and how much free space is left on your hard drive , I can give you more specific steps to fix the issue.

Yes. Start with the simple, reversible things first—don’t install “PC cleaner” apps or start deleting system files.

Do these first

1. Restart the laptop. If it has been running for days, a restart can clear stuck processes and memory usage.
2. See what’s using the resources.

• Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Processes. Look for unusually high CPU, Memory, or Disk usage.
• Mac: Open Activity Monitor and check CPU and Memory usage.Apple Support+1

3. Disable unnecessary startup programs. On Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup apps → disable things you don't need launching automatically. Microsoft specifically identifies startup apps as a common performance factor.Microsoft Support+1
4. Free up storage space. Delete large files you don't need, empty the recycle bin/trash, and uninstall unused applications. Low available storage can contribute to sluggish performance.Microsoft Support+1
5. Update the operating system. On Windows, go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Updates can include performance fixes and driver updates.Microsoft Support
6. Close excessive browser tabs and background apps. Especially check Chrome/Edge/Safari if you have lots of tabs or extensions open.
7. Run a malware scan if you're on Windows and the slowdown is unusual or recent. Windows Security's Quick scan is a good starting point.Microsoft Support

If it's still slow

The next things I'd investigate are RAM usage, whether the storage drive is nearly full or failing, overheating, and the age/type of the laptop. An older laptop with limited RAM or a mechanical hard drive may need a hardware upgrade rather than more software cleanup.

If you tell me whether it's Windows or Mac (and roughly how old it is), I can walk you through diagnosing the exact bottleneck step by step.