Speed & Performance (The "My Computer is Slow" Guide)

Laptop has too many Startup apps

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• Click the Startup apps tab.

• Look for apps with "High" startup impact (like Spotify, Steam, or old printer software).

• Right-click and select Disable.

Note: This doesn't delete the app; it just stops it from running automatically every time you turn your laptop on

Run Storage Sense

• Go to Settings > System > Storage

• Toggle on Storage Sense. It will automatically delete temporary files and empty your Recycle Bin on a schedule.

Empty the Downloads Folder: This is often the largest "hidden" storage hog. Move what you need to Google Drive and delete the rest.

• Open File Explorer or Press Windows + E

• In the sidebar click Downloads folder.

• Move what you need to Cloud Storage (OneDrive, GoogleDrive, etc.) and delete the rest

Tip: Always maintain at least 20% free space. Performance may drop if the bar is red. 

A loud fan usually means your laptop is working hard to cool down the processor due to High System Load or Poor Airflow. To quiet the fan and speed up your computer, follow these steps:

Check the Surface: Never use your laptop on a bed, pillow, or carpet. This blocks the intake vents. Always use a hard, flat surface.

Elevate the Laptop: Use a laptop stand or even a small book placed under the back edge of the device. This increases airflow to the vents underneath and helps the heat escape faster.

Identify the Heat Seeker app:

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and click the CPU column to sort by usage. Locate any app using >30% CPU consistently. If you aren't actively using that app, right-click it and select End Task. High CPU usage is the primary cause of heat.

• Close unused Apps & Tabs: Every open app and browser tab consumes "Memory" (RAM). When RAM is full, the processor works harder, creating more heat. Close anything you aren't using for your current task.

• Check for Windows/macOS Updates: Sometimes a loud fan is caused by a "stuck" system update running in the background. Go to Settings > Update & Security to ensure your system is up to date.