Start here
Where do you notice the slowdown?
You do not need a diagnosis yet. Pick the situation that sounds familiar.
Common reasons a computer becomes slow
Microsoft lists several possible contributors to poor Windows PC performance, including low available storage, too many startup apps, outdated software and older hardware. Simple first checks can include closing apps you are not using, restarting the computer, reviewing available storage and checking which programs start automatically.
These checks are useful clues, not a complete diagnosis. A computer may have more than one issue, and a change that helps one symptom may not solve another. Use Microsoft’s guidance as a starting point:
Microsoft’s Windows performance guidance
Fix, upgrade or replace?
Three possible routes. None is an automatic verdict.
Fix
The computer is generally reliable but has one annoying symptom
Can the cause be identified and fixed safely within the existing setup?
See an example — Fix
For example: a computer works well for everyday tasks, but one application repeatedly freezes. If assessment identifies an issue confined to that application, addressing it may be more sensible than replacing the computer. The symptom alone does not establish the cause.
Upgrade
It is usable but struggles with current everyday tasks
Would a suitable upgrade provide worthwhile improvement?
See an example — Upgrade
For example: a reliable computer struggles with the applications you need to use together. If assessment confirms that a compatible memory upgrade would address the limitation, compare its total cost with the likely benefit. Extra memory is not the answer to every slowdown.
Replace
It is very old, unreliable or incompatible with required software
Would replacement be more practical than continued repairs?
See an example — Replace
For example: a computer is unreliable and cannot run software you need. If repairs and suitable upgrades would cost too much for the expected result, replacement may be more practical. Include setup, moving your files and protecting your existing data in the comparison.
The right answer depends on the computer, the fault, the software you use and the value of your time. Compare the total quoted cost of the work with the cost of a suitable replacement, including setup and moving your files. Ask what the proposed change is expected to improve and what it will leave unresolved.
There is no single birthday at which every computer must be replaced.
Fictional comparison worksheet
Example only — these figures are invented for the worksheet and are not a Naked Tech quote: fix = $120 assessment plus $80 follow-up; upgrade = $180 compatible part plus $100 fitting; replacement = $950 computer plus $150 setup, $100 data transfer and any required application licences.
Write down the proposed total, what it is expected to improve, what remains unresolved, and whether your files, accounts, applications and accessories will work afterwards. A lower number is not automatically the better decision if it leaves an important compatibility or migration problem behind.
For a Windows replacement or upgrade, record the current Windows edition and version, processor, memory, storage, applications you rely on, peripherals and any files that must be moved. Microsoft’s Windows 11 system requirements are minimum requirements, not a guarantee that every application or accessory will work; the processor’s clock speed and core count are inherent to its design, not features you can upgrade separately. Standard Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. Eligible devices may have temporary Extended Security Updates, but ESU does not restore normal support, make a device eligible for Windows 11 or guarantee application and peripheral compatibility. Check the current device against Microsoft’s official requirements or PC Health Check rather than assuming an upgrade is available. Confirm important application and peripheral compatibility separately.
If the delay happens when switching on or signing in, read our guide to a computer that takes a long time to start.
If the delay is mainly online, our computer or internet comparison guide helps you describe where the waiting starts.
If you only have ten minutes
See an example of useful notes
Example only: “Opening my usual spreadsheet takes longer than it used to. I first noticed it last week. Other tasks seem normal, and I have not changed any settings.”
This describes the task, timing and observations without guessing the cause. Your notes can be shorter; record only what you know.
A practical checklist
Before arranging help, note what you can. You do not need to answer every question or diagnose the computer yourself:
Use the ticks as a reading aid. They are not saved or sent anywhere.
What to read next
If you’d rather have local help, see our slow computer assessment.
Before deciding what to change, check Microsoft’s current Windows performance guidance and Windows 11 requirements. For a Windows 10 computer, also review the end-of-support notice and consumer Extended Security Updates options.