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HP PCs - Improving PC performance (Windows 10)
Perform regular maintenance to improve the performance of your computer. Use the information in this document to control when applications run, adjust how your computer uses memory resources, and reduce heat inside your computer.
If you are using a new computer and the performance is slow, go to HP PCs - Computer Is Slow When Used for the First Time (Windows 10) for more information.
HP SmartFriend is a support service that can help you troubleshoot slow performance and improve the speed of your computer (only available in the United States and Canada). For more information, see HP SmartFriend (in English).
4 GB RAM or more is recommended for best performance in Windows 10. Some computers might not be upgradeable (sealed) and might run poorly with the latest operating systems. For step-by-step instructions on upgrading RAM, see HP Notebook PCs - Upgrading Memory (RAM) or HP Desktop PCs - Upgrading Memory (RAM).
Tips to improve PC performance
Before completing the troubleshooting procedures, try the following tips.
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Make sure that there is at least 15% of free space on the hard drive. For information about freeing up more space, see Free up space on the hard drive.
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Update the BIOS. See HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows), HP Business Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), HP Consumer Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), or HP Business Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). If there is no BIOS listed for your version of Windows, choose the latest version of Windows from the drop-down menu and install that BIOS.
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Update the hardware drivers using Device Manager.
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In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
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In the list of devices, expand each section.
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Right-click the device, and then select Update driver.
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Click Search automatically for updated driver software, and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the updated driver.
Note:Make sure that the graphics driver is up-to-date. If you use a third-party graphics card, go to the manufacturer's website and check for a driver update.
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Restart your computer to complete the installation of the updates.
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For more information, go to HP PCs - Updating drivers and software with Windows Update (Windows 10).
Regularly maintain your computer using tools and updates
HP recommends maintaining your computer on a schedule using tools and updates.
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Weekly: Update virus definitions and perform a virus scan.
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Monthly: Perform maintenance tasks using HP Support Assistant or by performing the individual cleanup tasks as described in this document.
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Quarterly: Check for dust buildup, and clean as necessary to keep your computer from overheating due to dust buildup.
Use HP Support Assistant to improve PC performance
HP recommends using HP Support Assistant on a regularly scheduled basis. Run HP Support Assistant to scan your computer and get the status of any available maintenance tasks and check for important HP driver updates.
HP Support Assistant is not available for Windows 10 in S mode. Use Windows Update to check for updated software and drivers. For more information, see HP PCs - Frequently Asked Questions about Windows 10 in S Mode.
Make sure that you are using HP Support Assistant version 8 or later. Download the current version from the HP Support Assistant webpage.
Perform a system cleanup without HP Support Assistant
A computer's hard disk drive can have a major effect on system performance. Over time the hard drive can become cluttered with unwanted or temporary files, the data can become fragmented and stored in an inefficient manner, or there might be disk errors on the drive itself. All these issues can impact system performance, and all are easy to prevent through maintenance. Use this information to maintain hard drive performance through removing unwanted and temporary files, checking the hard drive for errors, and defragmenting the drive.
Empty the Recycle Bin
Empty the Recycle Bin to increase the amount of unused space (free space) on the hard drive.

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

Check for hard drive errors
Check the hard drive for errors that might impact system performance.

Defragment the hard disk drive
Defragment the hard disk drive with the Optimize Drives tool to organize the hard drive and improve the performance of the system.
These steps do not apply for computers with solid state drives (SSD). Never defrag an SSD, as this does not improve performance and might harm the drive.

Perform critical Windows updates
System performance decreases when the software, applications, and drivers are out of date. Use Windows Update to install critical software and driver updates.
See HP PCs - Updating drivers and software with Windows Update (Windows 10) for more information.
Remove viruses and spyware
If the computer is performing slowly after connecting to the Internet, adware or spyware might be installed. Adware and spyware use the Internet to download and upload data in the background. Some of this data might be sensitive information or unwanted advertising. Removing this kind of malware improves the performance of your system.
Scan for viruses and spyware using antivirus or anti-spyware security software. Remove any viruses and spyware found. For more information, go to HP PCs - Computer might be infected by a virus or malware (Windows 10).
Remove any viruses using Windows Defender. For more information, go to HP PCs - Using Windows Security to prevent virus and spyware problems (Windows 10).
Find and replace corrupted system files
Use the Microsoft System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted or damaged system files.
Manage applications and system features to increase performance
Computer performance is affected by some system feature settings, and also when too many apps are running at one time. This section describes different ways to manage how and when applications and features run on your computer.
Being connected to the internet, watching TV or a video, playing games, listening to music, and running virus scans are all software tasks that can use a lot of system resources. Running more than one of these tasks can add up and cause the system to slow down. Schedule virus scans and other system tools when the computer is not in use.
Open only needed apps
Restart your computer, and then open only the apps you need.
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In Windows, select Start, select Power, and then select Restart.
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After the computer restarts, open only the apps or programs you need.
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After you finish using an app, click the X to close the app.
Use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Some apps that were designed for an earlier version of Windows might not work as expected with current versions of Windows 10.
Make sure that only one antivirus solution is installed
Performance can be negatively affected when there are multiple antivirus programs installed on your computer.
In Windows, search for and open Apps & features. Review the list for all currently installed antivirus programs, and then uninstall any extra antivirus programs until there is only one remaining.
Find apps that use excessive system resources
Use Task Manager to find and stop processes or applications using an excessive amount of system resources.
Select apps to open when Windows starts
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.

Turn off non-essential graphical features
Turn off graphical features and applications that use a lot of system resources or that you do not need or want.

Change how your computer uses memory
Help resolve slow performance issues by adjusting virtual and hard disk memory.
Free up space on the hard drive
Increase the amount of unused space (free space) on the hard drive to prevent low disk space errors and improve system performance.

Prevent memory allocation problems
Isolate apps or processes that are no longer in use that might be using unnecessary memory resources.
Memory is allocated to processes in device drivers and applications during normal use. The allocated memory is made available again when the process is no longer running. However, sometimes memory remains allocated. This is known as a memory leak. On rare occasions, an incompatible app might continue to allocate memory while it is running, causing the system to slow down and eventually lock up.
Use ReadyBoost
Use ReadyBoost with a removable drive to improve system performance without adding more RAM to the computer.
Change the paging file size
The paging file is an area on your hard drive that Windows uses like memory. Increasing the paging file size can help speed up the computer and improve performance.
Reduce heat inside the computer to prevent overheating
When temperatures inside the computer rise above 35º C (95º F), the risk of damaging important internal components increases.
You might experience the following issues when the computer overheats:
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After pressing the power button, the computer freezes on a black screen and Windows does not start, or Windows starts but does not respond to input.
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Basic tasks or applications take more time to complete than usual.
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Windows does not respond, suddenly restarts, or displays an error message while in use.
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Games stop responding during play.
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Fans inside the computer become louder as they start spinning faster to remove excess heat.
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The mouse and keyboard stop responding.
There are many reasons your computer might be overheating, but the most common reason is dust buildup on the fans, which can trap heat. Reduce the heat inside the computer to prevent any damage to its internal components.

Upgrade memory to increase performance
Upgrading memory can improve system performance. You can upgrade random-access memory (RAM) on most HP and Compaq computers. See the manual for your computer model to find out if your RAM can be upgraded.
For step-by-step instructions on upgrading RAM, see HP Notebook PCs - Upgrading Memory (RAM) or HP Desktop PCs - Upgrading Memory (RAM).
Turn off OneDrive file sync
Turn off automatic syncing of files between your computer and OneDrive.
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In the Notification area of the taskbar, click OneDrive
.
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In the OneDrive options, click More
, and then select Pause Syncing from the menu.
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In the Pause syncing menu, select a length of time to pause syncing.
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Restart your computer.
Perform a Windows system reset
If the issue persists, recover the computer back to its original configuration.
Microsoft provides a reset feature that repairs your computer by reinstalling the operating system. Before using this option, make sure you back up all your important files.
Go to HP PCs - Reset the computer for more information.
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