Follow this basic first steps to troubleshoot a slow Windows computer.
- Start by shutting down your computer. Time with a stopwatch the time that is needed from pressing the power button until the option to login. Also quickly check the time that is needed after login until you can start working. Define start working, for example when all icons appear in the menubar. When checking the time again use this as your reference.
- Identify what is slow, is the internet connection slow? Are the web pages appearing slow? Check and troubleshoot your internet connection. Clear Web browser cache.
- Check if your hard disk is full. A full hard disk slows down your computer. Cleanup your disk.
- Cleanup unwanted applications. Also cleanup unwanted web browsers plugins.
- Decide if you need Oracle Java or Adobe Flash plugin.
- Close system tray programs.
- Check for Windows updates. Run those updates.
- Check for updated hardware drivers.
- Check and decide to update all applications to the newest versions. Also update Web browser plugins.
- Start task manager and check all processes with high utilisation and not dropping. Also check memory usage and disk utilisation. When you identify the software causing the problem. Stop it and check normal behaviour again. Search for an update for this software.
- Check task manager for startup items. Delete not wanted items from startup.
- Check your antimalware software for correct behaviour. Check for updates available and check correct settings. It is possible you have to exclude files from on access scanning or choose a better antimalware program. Run a full scan and check for malware.
- Try running less applications at the same time and check normal behaviour.
- Clean up your desktop. To many items will slow down.
- Defragment your disk. (don't defrag SSD)
- Check the hardware if your system can have more memory and the possibility for a SSD.