Why is my laptop so slow… need beginner tips

Hardware
1

Hey everyone, I’m 30 and not super familiar with computers. Outside of job applications, I don’t use them much. My HP laptop is painfully slow—like it takes 30 seconds just to open the dashboard or an app. I’ve restarted it, cleared things out, but it’s still crawling. Can someone explain the basics to me like I’m 10? What can I do to fix this?

2

First thing: check what’s running on your laptop.

  1. Hit the Start button and type ‘This PC.’ Click it and then check ‘Properties’ to see your system specs.
  2. Right-click the taskbar, open Task Manager, and see which programs are using the most CPU and memory. Often, pre-installed stuff like McAfee slows things down.

Let us know what you find!

3

Here’s a good starting point:

  1. Open Task Manager (right-click the taskbar) to see what’s using up resources. Focus on high CPU or memory usage.
  2. Check your storage—if the hard drive is almost full, it can slow things down.
  3. Keep your desktop clean—only shortcuts and the recycle bin should be there.

By the way, 30 seconds might not be awful depending on what you’re opening, but it could also mean your laptop is just old. Also, not sure Helen Keller would have trouble with a maze, but funny analogy.

4

@Benaiah
Some of this advice isn’t accurate. Background programs don’t always make a difference. Disk usage matters only when it’s critically low, and Task Manager isn’t helpful unless you know what to look for. Plus, 30 seconds is a long time unless it’s a massive app.

5

@bennoway
Actually, disk space does matter. If you’re below 20-30% free space, an SSD might slow down because it affects how it manages data.

6

AstroCipher3 said:
@bennoway
Actually, disk space does matter. If you’re below 20-30% free space, an SSD might slow down because it affects how it manages data.

That’s a bit of a myth. Modern SSDs handle low free space better with features like TRIM. You usually won’t notice issues unless you’re below 10-20%.

7

@bennoway
You’re right about modern SSDs, but I doubt OP has the latest hardware.

8

AstroCipher3 said:
@bennoway
You’re right about modern SSDs, but I doubt OP has the latest hardware.

Fair point—older hardware might behave differently. Thanks for clarifying!

9

Your laptop might just be outdated. The biggest issue is probably the type of hard drive. If it has an HDD (hard disk drive), they’re much slower than SSDs (solid-state drives). If Windows is installed on an HDD, your laptop will feel sluggish.

Consider upgrading to an SSD if possible. If it’s not a hardware issue, cleaning up storage and running virus scans might help. Let us know your laptop’s specs, and we can give more advice.

10

Sounds like your laptop is ancient. Boot it up, go make a cup of tea, and come back. Not sure who Helen is, but that analogy made me laugh.

11

HP laptops are not known for speed, especially older ones. Business models like the EliteBook prioritize reliability over performance. Home models are often bloated with extra software.

Check your BIOS for system info: tap F10 repeatedly as the laptop starts to open the BIOS setup. Look for model, RAM, and storage details. Share those here, and we’ll help narrow down the issue.

Also, your Helen Keller comment was funny but a bit edgy.

12

Here’s what I found:

  • Model: HP Laptop 15db0xxx
  • Type: x64-based PC
  • BIOS Version/Date: Insyde F.32, 7/16/2020
  • BIOS Mode: UEFI
  • Says it’s not compatible with Windows 11
13

We need more info about your hardware and what software you’re using. Most likely, it’s either outdated hardware or too much bloatware. If it has an HDD, that could explain the slowness. Let us know, and we can troubleshoot further.

14

@Lucypiper
It’s an older laptop, and I’ve already cleared everything out.