The laptop slows down and works slowly - how to fix it yourself (without reinstalling the system)

Has your laptop taken longer to boot, and opening your browser feels like launching a rocket? Brakes during operation are one of the most common problems encountered by 87% of users after 2-3 years of operation. The reasons may lie in software failures, and in hardware limitations, but in 90% of cases the situation can be corrected without contacting a service center.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons for the slowdown - from a clogged cache to a worn-out SSD, and we’ll also give step-by-step instructions with command lines and screenshots for every operating system. You will learn how to return your laptop to its former speed without losing data, even if you have Asus ZenBook with Windows 11 or MacBook Pro on macOS Ventura. Let's start with the most common problem - overloaded startup.

1. Cleaning startup: why the laptop slows down when turned on

If, after pressing the power button, you manage to drink a cup of coffee before the desktop loads, the problem is startup programs. According to Microsoft, average laptop Windows 10/11 spends an extra 40-120 seconds loading due to background processes. Even Discord or Steam can add 5-10 seconds to the start time.

How to clean startup correctly:

• 🪟 Windows: Click Ctrl+Shift+Esc → go to the tab Autoload → sort by column Impact on loading. Disable everything except antivirus and drivers (for example, NVIDIA GeForce Experience you can safely turn it off).
• 🍎 macOS: Open System Preferences → Users and Groups → Login Items. Remove unnecessary applications (especially Adobe Creative Cloud And Google Drive).
• 🐧 Linux (Ubuntu/GNOME): Enter in terminal:

  gnome-session-properties

  and uncheck unnecessary services.

After clearing startup, reboot the laptop and note the boot time. If the difference is less than 15 seconds, the problem is deeper. In this case, check task manager for the presence of hidden processes:

⚠️ Attention: Don't kill processes named svchost.exe, lsass.exe or winlogon.exe are Windows system services. Stopping them will lead to BSOD (blue screen of death).

2. Hard drive diagnostics: HDD vs SSD and why it’s important

If your laptop is older than 2018, there's a good chance it contains HDD (hard drive), not SSD. Difference in read/write speed between them - 5-10 times. For example, Samsung 870 EVO (SSD) reads data at speed 560 MB/s, while the average HDD - total 120 MB/s.

How to check the disk type and its status:

lsblk -o NAME,ROTA

wmic diskdrive get status

sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda

If tests show that the disk is worn out (for example, Reallocated_Sector_Ct > 100), it urgently needs to be replaced. For HDD critical indicator - Pending Sector Count > 50.

3. Cleaning the system of garbage: temporary files, cache and register

Over a year of active use, a laptop accumulates up to 20-50 GB unnecessary files: browser cache, temporary update files, remnants of deleted programs. For example, Google Chrome may take up to 1 GB only cash for a month, and Windows Update - up to 10 GB old packages.

How to clean the system without programs:

• 🧹 Disk Cleanup (Windows):
  1. Open This computer → RMB on disk C: → Properties → Disk Cleanup.
  2. Check the boxes Temporary files, Cart, Windows Setup Log Files.
  3. Click Clean system files (Administrator rights required).

sudo apt clean  # Для Debian/Ubuntu
sudo pacman -Sc  # Для Arch Linux

To deeply clean the Windows registry (if the laptop slows down when opening programs), use CCleaner or the built-in utility:

regedit  # Откройте редактор реестра
Перейдите в HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software и удалите ключи старых программ.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete registry branches with names Microsoft, Windows or CurrentVersion - this will lead to the collapse of the system. Make a backup before cleaning (File → Export).

Remove temporary files from %temp% And Temp|Clear browser cache (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)|Delete old restore points (vssadmin delete shadows /all)|Check folder Downloads to unnecessary files|Empty trash and folder Recycle Bin-->

4. Viruses and malware: how they slow down your laptop

According to Kaspersky, in 2023 34% laptops were infected with at least one virus, and the users did not even suspect it. Malware can:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Mine cryptocurrency in the background (CPU load up to 100%).
• 📊 Collect data (keyloggers increase the load on RAM).
• 🔄 Replace advertising (it is embedded in the browser and slows down the pages).

How to check a laptop for viruses without installing antivirus:

1. Windows Defender (built-in):

   "Безопасность Windows" → "Защита от вирусов и угроз" → "Быстрая проверка"

   For a deep scan, use the command:

   mpcmdrun -scan -scantype 2

2. Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (portable version): Download from the official website and run from a flash drive. No installation required.
3. macOS: There are fewer viruses for Mac, but they do exist. Use Malwarebytes (free version).

If the antivirus finds threats like Trojan.Win32.Miner or AdWare.Elex, remove them and check task scheduler for the presence of suspicious processes:

taskschd.msc  # Откройте планировщик
Проверьте задачи в папках:
- \Microsoft\Windows\Maintenance
- \Task (если есть незнакомые имена)

How to remove a miner if the antivirus does not see it?

If the laptop heats up and slows down, but the antivirus does not find anything:

1. Open Task Manager and sort the processes by CPU.

2. If some process (svchost.exe, Runtime Broker) constantly loads the processor by 50-90% - this is a miner.

3. PCM by process → Open file storage location → delete the folder with the virus.

4. Check startup and task scheduler for restarts.

5. Lack of RAM: how to reduce the load on RAM

If when opening 3-4 tabs in Chrome The laptop starts to freeze, and in the task manager you can see that RAM is 90% loaded - the problem is a lack of RAM. Minimum requirements for comfortable work in 2026:

• 📄 Office tasks (Word, Excel): 4 GB (but better 8 GB).
• 🎮 Games (GTA V, Cyberpunk 2077): 16 GB+.
• 🎬 Video editing (Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve): 32 GB.

How to reduce the load on RAM:

1. Disable unnecessary background processes:

   Настройки → Конфиденциальность → Фоновые приложения

   Disable everything except system utilities.

2. Use easy program analogues:
   • 🦊 Replace Chrome on Firefox or Edge (they consume 30% less RAM).
   • 📝 Instead Photoshop use GIMP or Photopea (online editor).
• Add a swap file (if RAM < 8 GB):

  Панель управления → Система → Дополнительные параметры системы → Быстродействие → Параметры → Дополнительно → Виртуальная память

  Set size 1.5 × [RAM capacity] (for example, for 4 GB RAM - 6 GB swap file).

If your laptop still slows down, consider RAM upgrade. For example, for Lenovo ThinkPad T480 you can add another bar 8 GB DDR4 for ~3000 rubles, which is cheaper than buying a new laptop.

💡

If you have a laptop with soldered memory (For example, MacBook Air M1 or Dell XPS 13), RAM upgrade is not possible. In this case, only software optimization or switching to a lighter OS will help (for example, Linux Mint).

6. Overheating: why the laptop slows down and turns off

CPU temperature is higher 90°C leads to throttling — automatic performance reduction to protect against damage. Common causes of overheating:

• 🧹 Dusty cooling system (especially true for laptops older than 3 years).
• 🔋 Dried thermal paste (needs replacement every 2-3 years).
• 🚫 Working on a soft surface (ventilation holes are blocked).

How to check the temperature and eliminate overheating:

1. Temperature check: Use HWMonitor (Windows) or iStat Menus (macOS). Normal values:
   • 🖥️ During idle time: 40-50°C.
   • 🎮 Under load: 70-85°C (maximum 95°C).
• Dust removal:
  How to disassemble a laptop for cleaning?

  1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery (if removable).
  2. Unscrew the back cover (usually you need a Phillips screwdriver PH00).
  3. Carefully blow off dust from the fan and radiator using a can of compressed air (do not use a vacuum cleaner!).
  4. Check the thermal paste on the processor - if it is dry (hard and cracked), replace it with Arctic MX-6.

• Software methods:

  Настройте схему электропитания на "Максимальную производительность" (Windows) или используйте ThrottleStop для снижения напряжения на CPU (уменьшает нагрев на 10-15°C).

If after cleaning the temperature does not drop below 80°C under load - the problem is worn thermal paste or faulty cooler. In this case, contact service.

7. Operating system optimization: fine-tuning for speed

Even on a powerful laptop (for example, MSI GS66 Stealth with i7-10750H) the system may slow down due to incorrect settings. Let's consider hidden options, which will speed up the work:

• 🪟 Windows 10/11:
  1. Disable visual effects:

     Панель управления → Система → Дополнительные параметры системы → Быстродействие → Параметры → Обеспечить лучшее быстродействие

  2. Disable file indexing (if you use SSD):

     Службы → Windows Search → Тип запуска: "Отключена"

  3. Set up process priority for games/programs:

     Диспетчер задач → ПКМ по процессу → Задать приоритет → "Высокий"

• 🍎 macOS:
  1. Disable animation:

     Системные настройки → Универсальный доступ → Экран → Уменьшить движение

  2. Clear font cache:

     sudo atsutil databases -remove
     sudo atsutil server -shutdown
     sudo atsutil server -ping

• 🐧 Linux (Ubuntu):
  1. Use lighter desktop environment (eg XFCE instead of GNOME).
  2. Disable unnecessary services:

     systemctl list-units --type=service
     sudo systemctl disable ненужный_сервис

For Windows 11 It is additionally recommended to disable widgets And OneDrive background sync, since they eat up 15% CPU in idle time.

8. Hardware upgrades: when you can’t do without them

If all software methods have been tried, but the laptop still slows down, it’s time to think about hardware upgrade. Here's what can be improved in most models:

Before purchasing, check the compatibility of components with your laptop model on the manufacturer’s website or through Crucial System Scanner. For example, in Acer Swift 3 can only be installed M.2 SSD 2280, and in Dell Latitude - also 2.5" SATA.

If the laptop is older than 2015 (for example, Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro), an upgrade may not be practical - it’s cheaper to buy a new model with Ryzen 5 5500U or Intel Core i5-1235U.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about laptop brakes

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