5 Quick Fixes When Your Laptop Runs Slower Than Usual

Is your laptop running slower than usual? Programs taking forever to open? You're not alone. A sluggish laptop is one of the most common frustrations for Saskatoon residents and businesses alike.

The good news: most slow laptop problems have quick, simple fixes you can do yourself in minutes. Our tech support team has helped hundreds of local customers speed up their laptops with these exact methods.

Signs Your Laptop is Slowing Down

You know something's wrong when you notice:

• Slow startup: Your laptop takes several minutes to boot up and become usable
• Programs lag: Applications take forever to open or respond to clicks
• Frequent freezing: Your cursor freezes or programs stop responding
• Slow internet: Web pages load slowly even though your Wi-Fi is working fine (check our Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide if internet is the issue)
• Fan noise: Your laptop fan runs constantly at high speed

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, the fixes below will help restore your laptop's performance.

Five Quick Fixes to Speed Up Your Laptop

Fix 1: Free Up Storage Space

When your hard drive is nearly full (less than 20% free space), your laptop slows to a crawl. Windows needs breathing room to operate efficiently.

Quick cleanup steps:

1. Run Disk Cleanup: Press Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup," select your C: drive, and check all boxes including "Previous Windows installations"
2. Delete large files: Check your Downloads folder and Documents for old files you no longer need
3. Uninstall unused programs: Go to Settings → Apps and remove software you haven't used in months
4. Empty Recycle Bin: Right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select "Empty Recycle Bin"
5. Clear browser cache: In your browser, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to clear browsing data

For a more thorough guide, read our article on speeding up an old laptop.

Fix 2: Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated software often causes performance issues. Windows updates include important bug fixes and speed improvements.

How to update:

1. Press Windows key and type "Windows Update"
2. Click "Check for updates"
3. Install all available updates
4. Restart when prompted

Note: Sometimes laptops feel slower right after an update. This is normal for a few hours. If your PC stays slow after updates, check our guide on fixing slow performance after Windows updates.

Fix 3: Scan for Viruses and Malware

Viruses and malware don't just pose security risks—they consume system resources and make your laptop crawl.

Run a full scan:

1. Open Windows Security (built into Windows)
2. Click "Virus & threat protection"
3. Select "Scan options"
4. Choose "Full scan" and click "Scan now"
5. Wait for the scan to complete (30-60 minutes)
6. Remove any threats found

Not sure if you have a virus? Read our guide on how to tell if your computer has a virus.

Fix 4: Manage Your RAM Usage

If your laptop has 4GB of RAM or less, it struggles with modern applications. While upgrading RAM is ideal (our tech team can help), you can manage what you have:

Quick RAM management:

• Close unnecessary browser tabs (each tab uses memory)
• Quit programs you're not actively using
• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and check which programs use the most memory
• Close memory-hungry programs you don't need right now

Check your RAM: Press Windows key + Pause/Break to see how much RAM you have. If it's 4GB or less, consider upgrading to 8GB-16GB for better performance.

Fix 5: Disable Startup Programs

Many programs automatically launch when you turn on your laptop, slowing down boot time and consuming memory. Disabling unnecessary ones speeds things up significantly.

How to disable startup programs:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the "Startup" tab
3. Look at the "Startup impact" column
4. Right-click programs marked "High impact" that you don't need at startup
5. Select "Disable"
6. Keep essential programs like antivirus enabled

Common programs safe to disable: Spotify, Steam, Adobe updaters, OneDrive (if you don't use it), and messaging apps.

Keep Your Laptop Running Smoothly

Once you've fixed your slow laptop, these simple habits keep it running fast:

• Restart weekly: A full restart (not sleep) clears memory and resets processes
• Run Disk Cleanup monthly: Make it a habit to clean up temporary files
• Keep 20%+ free space: Move large files to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) or external drives
• Update regularly: Install Windows updates and driver updates when available
• Scan for viruses monthly: Run a full security scan as preventive maintenance
• Organize your desktop: Too many desktop icons can slow performance

For more detailed maintenance tips, check out our guide on simple fixes that make your computer feel new.

Still Having Problems?

If your laptop is still slow after trying these fixes, it might be time for professional help. Sometimes the issue requires:

• Hardware upgrades (SSD installation, RAM upgrade)
• Deep malware removal
• Complete system optimization
• Clean Windows OS installation

Our tech support services in Saskatoon start at just $29. We offer both remote and in-person assistance, and most issues are resolved within 24-48 hours.

Contact us today for a free consultation, or visit our homepage to learn more about our services.

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• How to Tell If Your Computer Has a Virus