How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 10 o 11 PC (Desktop or Laptop)
If your Windows 10 o 11 computer feels sluggish, this simple step-by-step guide will help you clean up, repair, and optimize performance safely. Always create a System Restore Point before making any major system changes.
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1️⃣ Enable System Restore
Before doing anything else, turn on System Protection so you can easily roll back if something goes wrong.
- stampa Vincere + S and type “System Restore”
- Clic Create a restore point
- Click the System drive (di solito C:) under Protection Settings
- Clic Configure
- Garantire “Turn on system protection” is selected
- Under Disk Space Usage, allocate 3% Max Usage
- Clic Apply → OK
Create a restore point manually:
- Clic Create…
- Type a name you’ll remember, e.g. “My Restore – 4th April 2022”
- Clic Create
Tip: Avoid skipping this step — it can save your system if something breaks later.
2️⃣ Remove Unwanted Startup Programs
There are several places where startup programs hide. Check them all and disable what you don’t need.
Current user startup
shell:startup
All users startup
shell:common startup
Registry entries
Always back up your registry before making changes!
- Open Correre (Vincere + R) → type
regedit - Di riserva: File → Export
- Check the following locations:
Current User
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Local Machine
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Delete any unwanted startup items.
Task Manager
- stampa Ctrl + Spostamento + Esc
- Go to the Startup tab
- Disable unnecessary items
Task Scheduler
- stampa Vincere + S, Digitare Task Scheduler
- Review scheduled tasks and disable ones you don’t need starting automatically.
Be careful not to disable security, GPU, or system driver entries.
3️⃣ Remove Unused Software, Apps, and Bloatware
Uso IOBit Uninstaller (Free version is good enough for this guide). It automatically creates a System Restore Point before uninstalling.
Avoid clicking “Install recommended extras” during setup — uncheck those boxes.
I once removed an important driver accidentally — System Restore saved me. Always create a restore point first.
4️⃣ Clean Up Disk Space and Fix Windows Errors
IOLO System Mechanic is one of the best all-in-one tools for cleaning up disk space, repairing registry issues, and boosting overall Windows performance. It automatically detects system clutter, broken shortcuts, and startup delays — all with one click.
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In alternativa, you can manually clean using:
- Pulitura disco (cleanmgr)
- Storage Sense (Settings → System → Storage)
These help remove temp files, log files, and Windows Update leftovers.
5️⃣ Repair Windows Errors with Built-in Tools
DIC (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)
Fixes corrupted Windows system files. Open Prompt dei comandi (Admin) o terminale (Admin) and run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Internet connection required for /RestoreHealth.
SFC (System File Checker)
Checks and restores system files:
sfc /scannow
CHKDSK (Check Disk)
Correggi gli errori del file system. For a full scan:
chkdsk /r /x
This requires a reboot and can take several hours — save your work first.
For a quicker scan (no bad sector recovery):
chkdsk /x
6️⃣ Check Windows Log Files for Critical Errors
- stampa Vincere + X → Select Event Viewer
- Expand Windows Logs → Application
- Clic Filter Current Log…
- Tick Critico e Errore
- Clic OK
- Search Google for the Event ID and message to find fixes
- Repeat the same steps under Windows Logs → System
Esempio: “Disk 7 – The device has a bad block” often means a failing drive.
✅ Quick Summary
| Step | Azione |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create a System Restore Point |
| 2 | Disable unwanted startup programs |
| 3 | Uninstall unused software & apps |
| 4 | Clean up disk space and fix errors |
| 5 | Run DISM, SFC, and CHKDSK commands |
| 6 | Check Event Viewer for recurring errors |
Recommended Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IOBit Uninstaller | Remove programs safely | Free version is fine |
| IOLO System Mechanic | System optimization | Optional, paid |
| CCleaner | Disk cleanup | Use carefully; avoid registry cleaning |
| Autoruns (Microsoft Sysinternals) | Deep startup control | Advanced users only |
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes. Always back up your data and create a restore point before modifying system files or the registry.
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
