- Identify processes with Task Manager and kill background apps.,Disable unnecessary startup, optimize disks, and adjust your power plan.,Free up space with Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup.,Avoid common issues: heavy antivirus, Chrome running in the background, P2P.
Your PC running slower than usual can have several explanations. One of them is the existence of Programs that slow down Windows, that is, they stay in the background consuming resourcesFortunately, it is an easy problem to detect and even easier to solve.
In this article we explain how to do it in a simple way, using the Task ManagerWe also review which apps and categories tend to slow you down the most (heavy antivirus, background browsers, P2P clients, utilities that sneak in at startup, etc.), how to optimize disks, configure your power plan, free up space with Windows tools, and which system processes you can safely close when you need a boost.
How to detect which program is slowing down Windows
The first step is to identify which application or process is using up CPU, memory, disk space, or network resources. To do this, Windows provides you with two key dashboards: Background apps (Windows 10) and the Task ManagerThe first one prevents certain apps from continuing to run when you're not using them; the second shows you, with numbers, who's spending what.
In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Privacy and, in the side menu, locate Background appsThere you can disable the ones that don't provide any value when they're not in the foreground. Note: this screen doesn't tell you which ones consume the most; it just lets you turn them off in the background. to see the actual consumption you will need Task Manager.
Open the Task Manager with any of these shortcuts: Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or Ctrl + Alt + Del > Task Manager, or right-click on the taskbar (or the Start button) > Task Manager, or Win + R and type taskmgr. With it open, go to the tab Processes and sort by CPU, Memory, Disk, or Network to see what's peaking right now.
If you find an app that is stuck, uses too much power, or is not needed at the moment, select it and press Finish homeworkThis is safe for normal apps; if you're unsure about system processes, it's best not to touch them or check what they are first, for example. rundll32.exeUnlike the background panel, here you'll know exactly which processes or programs are slowing down Windows.in every moment.
Other practical solutions if Windows is slow
If your PC should have plenty of hardware but you notice that Windows starts slowly, stalls, or overheats for no reason, implement this plan in order. It's the fastest way to rule out causes and find the solution without getting into more trouble than necessary.
1) Run a full scan for malware
Discrete infections, such as invisible malware XWorm, Are experts in consume CPU and memory in the background. Open Start and type "Windows Security", go to Antivirus and Threat Protection and run a full scan. Microsoft Defender has improved a lot and, for the vast majority, It balances safety and performance well.If anything appears, delete it and restart.
2) Disable Windows 10 Fast Startup
It may seem paradoxical, but there are cases where “Quick Start” is behind slower startups or errors when restoring the session. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do and uncheck “Turn on fast startup.” If you want to later, you can reactivate it to try.
3) Clean boot: disable apps that load themselves
Many applications are added to startup “just in case”, lengthening the startup and leaving resident services consuming RAMOpen Task Manager, Startup tab, and disable anything you don't need. Don't delete critical hardware utilities (sound, touchpad, GPU), but be strict with what's dispensable: the impact is usually immediate.
4) Optimize storage units
With use, HDDs fragment and SSDs may require block table optimization. In Start, search for “Defragment and optimize drives” and run Optimize on your disks. The Windows tool detects whether it's an HDD or SSD and applies the appropriate method, without shortening the lifespan of the unit.
5) Close or uninstall anything that is running in the background
Some apps reappear when you open other apps that depend on them, or they remain unfinished after you close them. In Task Manager > Processes, locate the one you don't need right now and tap Finish homeworkIf it's software you no longer use, uninstall it: Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features > uninstallLess is more.
6) Adjust the power plan
The power plan determines the CPU frequency, disk policy, and other limits. On laptops, the profile Balanced It's the best compromise. At the table, try High performance. In Start, search for “Edit power plan” > “Change advanced power settings” and adjust or create a plan personalised.
7) Update drivers and if nothing works, consider reinstalling
Keep your system and drivers up to date. Download them from the manufacturer's website, check compatibility with your version of Windows and avoid alphas or betas. If after all the above your computer remains the same, you could have a deep conflict or a thermal problemIn that case, back up your data and perform a clean install of Windows. If that doesn't improve, it's time to check your hardware.
Programs and categories that most often slow down Windows
Not all programs weigh the same. Some are designed to be assets since startupOthers load modules in the background "to open faster," and others hog resources by design. These are usually the programs that actually slow down Windows.
Very heavy antivirus
Some commercial antivirus programs are real CPU and disk hogs when starting up, scheduling scans, or monitoring individual files. If you notice this slowdown, consider whether switching to a lighter solution is worth it. In Windows 10/11, Microsoft Defender offers a good balance between protection and performance without overloading the system.
Background browsers (Chrome and others)
Chrome and other browsers can keep resident processes "just in case" to open faster. If they already consume a lot of RAM with multiple tabs, having them charged when you don't use them It only reduces performance. Disable background running in your settings or disable it completely when not needed.
Skype and other pre-installed apps that start by themselves
Tools like Skype can auto-start and wait for calls or notifications when you don't need them. Disable them in Task Manager > Startup. They're useful when you use them, but they shouldn't always be on.
P2P download clients (uTorrent and similar)
Some torrent managers open when you start Windows and start connecting to the network, whether you use it or not. This not only slows down the startup, but can also worsen your connection and leave the disk writing constantly. Disable automatic startup and only open them when you're going to use them.
Very common “utilities” that are attached to the startup
There are suites and utilities that, although it may not seem so, have resident services: Adobe Creative Cloud, Nero, PowerDVD, Spotify, MiniTool Partition Wizard, IObit Driver Booster, Java or JDownloader are common examples. Some don't appear clearly in Task Manager. If you need more control, try an advanced startup manager like Autorun organizer to view and disable less visible entries.
Free up disk space with Windows tools
Lack of disk space can cause Windows and your programs to crash. crawl, especially if the system can't handle its temporary files. Check your storage and clean it up with the built-in utilities.
Check the space and use Storage Sensor
Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage to see how much free space you have. Go to “Temporary Files,” let Windows calculate and mark what you want to delete, then click “Remove Files.” Storage sensor to automate cleanings when space is limited or at intervals you choose.
Configure Storage Sensor
In Settings > System > Storage > “Configure Storage Sense or run it now,” choose the frequency, which temporary files to delete, and how often to empty. Trash and Downloads. Click “Clean Now” for an immediate cleanup and see how much you’ve recovered.
Alternative: Disk Cleanup
If you don't have Storage Sensor, search for “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar. Select file types (temporary, thumbnails, etc.) and confirm. To free up more, tap “Clean up system files” and select again. It's perfect for a spot cleaning.
Uninstall apps you don't use and move files
In Settings > Apps > Apps & features, sort by size and remove what you no longer need. For your data (photos, videos, music), move them to a external or secondary drive with File Explorer to leave your system disk less loaded.
Windows processes you can safely close (to gain some RAM)
At specific times, shutting down some non-critical processes can give you a break. Don't expect miracles, but it helps. If you accidentally shut down something important, Windows usually relaunches it or just restart.
- Applications opened by you- If any background processes remain when you close an app, you can terminate them from the Task Manager without any problem.
- Gaming Services / Game Bar / Xbox App: Useful if you're going to play; if not, close them and recover memory.
- News and interests: the news widget on the taskbar; if you don't use it, get rid of it.
- OneDrive- If you are not syncing now, you can temporarily close it (local files are still there).
- Calculator: Sometimes it keeps resident processes; close them without fear.
- Groove Music: If you don't use it as a player, it ends its processes.
- CTF Loader (ctfmon.exe): Handles touch input/dictation/handwriting; with keyboard/mouse, you can close it.
- phone link- If you don't need to see mobile notifications on your PC, close it.
- Third-party updaters: close non-critical apps; leave critical ones Defender so as not to lose protection.
- Duplicate processesSome browsers create a lot of them; if you're not using them, terminate them.
Extra tips to keep your team agile day by day
Avoid accumulating “digital trash”: delete old installers from Downloads, use Storage Sensor and close browser tabs that you don't use. If you tend to open a lot of tabs, consider extensions that suspend inactive tabs to automatically free up memory.
If you're only noticing slow internet speeds and have ruled out your PC, your Wi-Fi signal or internet connection may be slow. After cleaning up processes and pausing downloads at home, Contact your operator to check if you are receiving the contracted megabytes and to check the router.
If you put this process into practice—detecting unnecessary startup tasks with Task Manager, optimizing disks, freeing up space, monitoring your power plan, and checking for programs that are running in the background—you'll see how your computer regains agility. And if you also tame the usual "hogs" (heavy antivirus programs, background browsers, P2P clients, pre-installed apps, or Photos itself when it's busy), Windows feels fast again without having to change PCs.
Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.