HP PCs - Improving PC performance (Windows)

Use HP Performance Tune Up Check in HP Support Assistant to optimize system performance for your computer.

1. In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant, or click the app icon in the taskbar.

   If the app is not installed on your computer, download the latest version from the HP Support Assistant website.

2. Go to HP Performance Tune Up Check to open the tool.

   If the tool does not automatically open, select your device, click Troubleshooting and fixes, and then click Performance Tune-up Check.

3. Under Additional Options, select Empty Recycle Bin and Clean Web-browsers history, cookies and cache, and then click Optimize.

Increase the amount of unused space (free space) on the hard drive to prevent low disk space errors and improve system performance.

1. In Windows, search for and open Storage settings.

2. View how much space is available on the hard drive (C: drive is the most common).

   For best performance, the drive should have at least 15% free space. If the hard disk drive has less than 15% free space, continue with these steps.

3. Under the C: drive, select each category to determine where you can free up the most space. The most common categories where you can free up space are Apps & games, Temporary files, Documents, and Pictures.

   CAUTION:

   RECOVERY (D:) or FACTORY_IMAGE (D:) hard drives are reserved for system recovery and removing files from these drives can damage your computer.

   

4. Move any files that you want to keep to a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage to help free up space. This step is highly recommended for larger files not needed for daily use, such as pictures and videos.

5. Remove any unwanted files and applications, and then restart the computer.

Use HP Support Assistant to find and install updates, including BIOS updates, for your computer with Windows.

1. In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant, or click the app icon in the taskbar.

   Note:

   Make sure that you are using HP Support Assistant version 8 or later. If this version of the app is not installed on your computer, download the latest version from the HP Support Assistant website.

2. On the My Dashboard tab, find your computer, and then click Updates.

3. Wait while HP Support Assistant analyzes the system.

4. After the analysis completes, select the listed updates, download and install the updates, and then follow any on-screen instructions.

5. If prompted, restart the computer, and then close the tool.

Use Device Manager to update hardware drivers such as the graphics, audio, wireless, or other drivers for your computer.

1. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

2. In the list of devices, select each category.

3. Right-click the device, select Update driver, and then follow the instructions to install the updated driver.

   

4. Restart the computer to complete installation of the updates.

Empty the Recycle Bin to increase the amount of unused space (free space) on the hard drive.

1. On the Windows desktop, double-click the Recycle Bin icon .

2. To restore any mistakenly deleted items, right-click the file(s), and then select Restore.

3. Click the Manage tab, and then select Empty Recycle Bin.

4. Select Yes to confirm.

   Windows removes the contents of the Recycle Bin from the hard drive.

Delete temporary files and folders to increase hard drive space and reduce the time Windows takes to access the hard drive.

1. In Windows, search for and open Disk Cleanup.

2. Select the drive you want to delete the files from, and then click OK.

3. Wait while Disk Cleanup calculates how much space you can free on the selected drive.

4. After the analysis completes, select the check box next to the types of files you want Disk Cleanup to delete.

   CAUTION:

   Selecting some options can have a negative effect. For example, selecting Setup Log Files deletes the files that online phone support agents use to help troubleshoot setup problems. Click a file type, such as Temporary Internet Files, to display a description. Do not delete files until you know the files are unnecessary for using your computer.

5. Click OK, and then click Delete Files when prompted.

   Disk Cleanup deletes the selected files.

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics provides multiple tests to test the hard drive on your computer and confirm hardware failures. First, run the Quick Test (two to three minutes). If the Quick Test does not find a problem, run the Extensive Test (two hours or more). It can run once or loop until an error occurs.

1. On the Component Tests menu, click Storage, and then click Quick Test.

   

2. Click Run once. The Quick Test begins.

   

3. If the computer has more than one hard drive, select the drive to test. To test all the hard drives, select Test All Hard Drives.

   When the test is complete, the screen displays the results. Test results are also available in the Test Logs on the main menu.

4. If the hard drive passes the Quick Test, but there is still a problem with the hard drive, run the Extensive Test. This test includes the SMART Check, Short DST, Optimized DST, and Long DST. To run these tests individually, select them from the Hard Drive Tests menu.

5. If the hard drive fails a test, click Troubleshoot.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions to attempt to resolve the problem, and then click Yes.

7. If the problem is not resolved, click Yes to contact HP Customer Support.

8. Scan the QR Code, or write down or copy the failure ID (24-digit code) and product ID for when you contact HP Customer Support. The information is also available in Test Logs on the main menu.

9. If your computer is online, click NEXT to go to the HP Customer Support website.

Update your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer using Windows Update.

1. In Windows, search for and open Check for updates.

   If there are any available updates, they begin automatically.

   Note:

   To download and install optional updates, use the following instructions for your operating system:

   • In Windows 11, select Advanced options, select Optional updates, select the updates that you want to install, and then click Download & install.

   • In Windows 10, select View all optional updates, select the updates that you want to install, and then click Download and install.

2. After the updates install, restart your computer when prompted.

Use the Microsoft System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted or damaged system files.

1. In Windows, search for Command Prompt.

2. In the list of search results, right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, and then click Yes to open the window.

3. Type sfc /scannow. Make sure to include the space between sfc and the forward slash /.

   

4. Press Enter to start the scan.

   • If corrupted files were found, wait for the tool to replace the files, and then restart the computer.

   • If no corrupted files were found, corrupted could not be replaced, or if the issue persists, continue with these steps.

5. Make sure your computer is connected to a network with an active internet connection.

6. In the Command Prompt window, type dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Make sure to include the space before each forward slash /.

   

7. Press Enter, to start the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan.

8. Wait for the tool to replace any corrupted files, and then restart the computer.

Restart your computer, and then open only the apps you need.

1. In Windows, select Start, select Power, and then select Restart.

2. After the computer restarts, open only the apps or programs you need.

3. After you finish using an app, click the X to close the app.

Some apps that were designed for an earlier version of Windows might not work as expected with current versions of Windows 11 or Windows 10.

1. In Windows, search for and open Troubleshoot.

2. Do one of the following:

   • Windows 11: Scroll down the screen, select Other Troubleshooters, select Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, and then click Run.

     

   • Windows 10: Scroll down the screen, select Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, and then click Run the troubleshooter.

     

3. Select the app to check, and then click Next.

4. Select an option, and then follow the on-screen instructions to test or change the compatibility settings.

   

Use Task Manager to find and stop processes or applications using an excessive amount of system resources.

1. In Windows, search for and open Task Manager.

   Task Manager displays currently-running applications.

2. Click More Details, and then select a tab for more information.

   • Processes: Displays all the currently-running operations and how much of the system resources are being used by each process. Some processes are necessary and should not be stopped. If you are unsure if a process is necessary, search for details about it on the internet.

   • Performance: Displays a visual representation of the overall system performance. Click Open Resource Monitor for an even more detailed view of individual processes.

   

3. On the Processes tab, if you want to close an app, or if the app is listed as Not Running, click End Task.

A startup application is software that opens when Windows opens. Over time, as you install more and more apps, the number of startup applications increases. Common apps that load and run in the background are instant messaging apps, multimedia apps, game launchers, and toolbars. You can improve system performance by stopping some of these apps from opening, or by changing their settings.

1. In Windows, search for and open Task Manager.

2. Click More details, and then select the Startup tab.

3. Select any startup items that do not contribute to the system and are unwanted, then click Disable.

   CAUTION:

   Disable only those startup items that are known and unwanted.

   

4. Restart the computer.

5. If Windows or other software stops working after you disable a startup item, reverse these steps to enable the item.

Turn off graphical features and applications that use numerous system resources or that you do not need or want.

1. In Windows, search for and open Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.

2. On the Performance Options window, select Adjust for best performance, and then click OK.

   

   Windows turns off all visual effects, such as animation of the taskbar and windows elements, displaying shadows under windows, displaying window contents while dragging, and so on.

Isolate apps or processes that are no longer in use that might be using unnecessary memory resources.

1. Close all open software applications or programs, making sure to allow apps time to fully open before closing them.

   HP recommends waiting five seconds after an app opens before you close it, even if the app was opened unintentionally.

2. Restart the computer.

3. In Windows, search for and open Task Manager.

4. Click More details, select the Performance tab, and then select Memory.

5. Click Open Resource Monitor to view how your computer uses memory.

   If a window displays prompting you for an administrator password or confirmation, type the requested credentials.

   

6. On the Overview tab, open the Memory section, and then scroll down the list to view which apps are using memory.

7. Open an app suspected of causing the computer to run slowly, review the percentage of Used Physical Memory, and then write down the information.

8. Close and reopen a suspected app repeatedly, and then check the percentage of Used Physical Memory, comparing this number to the one recorded. Each time, wait about 10 seconds before opening the app again.

   • If the Used Physical Memory percentage returns to the same numbers or similar each time, the suspected app is probably not creating a memory leak.

   • If the percentage of Used Physical Memory continues to increase, there is a memory leak. Contact the software manufacturer for available patches or fixes.

Turn off automatic syncing of files between your computer and OneDrive.

1. In the notification area of the taskbar, click OneDrive.

2. In the OneDrive options, click More, and then select Pause Syncing from the menu.

3. In the Pause syncing menu, select a length of time to pause syncing.

4. Restart your computer.

Restore the personal files on your Windows 10 computer.

1. Connect an external backup drive to the computer.

2. In Windows, search for and open Backup settings.

3. Click More options.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the Backup options screen, and then click Restore files from a current backup.

5. Select the files you want to restore, click the Restore button, and then wait for Windows to restore your personal files. This might take a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the size of the files.