Windows 10 causes my games to lag or freeze.
Windows 10 causes my games to lag or freeze.
Your system is experiencing performance issues likely due to insufficient RAM and high game demands. With 12GB RAM but only 2GB used, your games may be struggling to run smoothly. Consider upgrading RAM or optimizing settings. Switching back to a lighter version like Windows 7 might help if you need a more stable experience.
Ensure all drivers are current, covering sound, networking, graphics cards, peripherals, motherboard chipset, and SATA controllers. Check the security software you have installed. If needed, uninstall any that aren’t part of standard Windows, restart your system and observe improvements.
Check if your UEFI/BIOS is up to date. Are all your games installed? Or are only a few? Have you removed any unnecessary items from your system—like printers or extra drives—and then restarted? This might resolve the issue.
Consider another option—ensure Game DVR isn't active. Windows 10 lets you record game sessions. It could have been accidentally turned on. To adjust: open the XBox app via the Start menu, navigate to Settings (gear icon), then select "Game DVR" and disable all settings from bottom to top. Remove GeForce Experience if present, then restart your device. Windows might be running maintenance routines. Confirm updates are complete—check Store apps by going to Start, selecting the profile picture next to the search bar, choosing Downloads & Updates, then verifying updates or downloading them. Proceed to Start and type "Maintenance," selecting "Security and Maintenance." Click the blue "Start Maintenance" link and wait for it to finish. Make sure your system stays awake during this process. You can still use it normally, but heavy tasks may slow performance until done. The duration varies based on HDDs, fragmentation level, and overall speed.