Why your laptop slows down right before you hit submit
How to find what is slowing Windows down, and free it up in under a minute.
The one-minute fix
- Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If you see a small window, click More details.
- Sort by Memory. On the Processes tab, click the Memory column so the biggest user is at the top. Do the same for CPU.
- Close what you don't need. Save your work in that app first, then right-click it and choose End task.
- Submit. Windows usually catches up within a few seconds.
Don't end tasks you don't recognise, especially anything from Windows or your security software. If you're not sure what something is, leave it running.
Why it happens at the worst moment
- Browser tabs. Each open tab uses memory. An upload page, a video call and 30 other tabs together can fill it.
- Background updates. Windows Update, app updaters and game launchers often download and install while you work.
- Sync apps. Cloud storage apps re-upload files you just saved, such as the document you are about to submit.
- Security scans. A scheduled antivirus scan reads every file and can slow everything else.
- Battery saving. On battery, Windows can limit performance to make it last longer.
Stop it happening next time
- Turn off startup apps you don't need. In Task Manager, open the Startup apps tab (Startup on Windows 10), right-click an app and choose Disable.
- Set active hours for Windows Update. In Settings, open Windows Update, then Advanced options, then Active hours, so updates wait until you're done.
- Plug in before a deadline. Or set Power mode to Best performance in Settings, under System, then Power & battery (Windows 11).
- Close tabs you're done with. Most browsers can also put unused tabs to sleep to save memory.
- Pause syncing. Pause your cloud storage app for an hour while you finish and upload.
When it's more than one slow moment
If your laptop is slow most of the time, check that the disk isn't nearly full (Settings, then System, then Storage) and that Windows is up to date. A laptop that always shows memory close to 100% may simply need more memory for how you use it.
Get the answer for your own screen
Not sure which app to close? With Mini NOVA open on Windows, press Insert with Task Manager on screen and ask "what's slowing my laptop down?". It looks at what is on your screen and tells you what to try first. You make the click. Free for 7 days or 100 questions.
Another error in the way? See help with error messages.
Questions
Why is my laptop so slow all of a sudden?
Usually one app or background task is using most of the memory or processor, such as a browser, an update or a security scan. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and sort by Memory or CPU to find it.
Is it safe to end tasks in Task Manager?
It is safe for apps you recognise and have saved your work in. Leave Windows processes and security software running if you're not sure what they are.
How do I stop apps starting with Windows?
Open Task Manager, go to the Startup apps tab (Startup on Windows 10), right-click the app and choose Disable.
Does charging my laptop make it faster?
It can. On battery, Windows may limit performance to save power. Plugging in, or choosing a higher Power mode, lets it run at full speed.
Stuck on something else?
Press Insert and ask Mini NOVA about what is on your screen.