Your computer is running very slowly and it takes a long time to start up.
Your computer is running very slowly and it takes a long time to start up.
A few days back my computer was behaving strangely and running slowly when I arrived home, so I powered it off just to see the boot screen on the motherboard for about 20-30 minutes before returning to the main display. Now my system is extremely sluggish; web pages load slowly, apps open with delay, and everyday tasks like starting up take a long time. Even after updating the main boot settings, I checked Task Manager and found RAM usage at 100% with almost nothing open. Restarting would take ages, which is unusual since I never experienced this before. I recently added 16 GB of RAM and upgraded the CPU, but the problem persists. Updated February 20, 2025 by Exmastic
Open the details section in Task Manager and arrange by memory usage. This will reveal which processes are consuming most of your RAM. Your system is currently running at 2133MHz—consider enabling DOCP in BIOS to optimize performance. First identify and eliminate the applications or services that are using excessive resources.
From what you’re showing, it seems you might have multiple virtual network adapters from different VPN services installed. I’d bet the main problem is an overly complex operating system setup. If you weren’t sure, I’d likely clear everything—especially the VPN programs and startup entries. You probably have a lot of unnecessary software that needs removal, so starting with those two VPN apps would be a good first step.
I’ve noticed these items are still present and I’m struggling to remove them. Even after uninstalling the apps, they remain in my task manager. I really wish I could perform a hard reset and start over, but it’s tough because I have five years of recordings stored on the same drive and some memories tied to friends who’ve passed away.
Right now I’ve turned my PC back on and the RAM isn’t being utilized as much anymore—it’s holding about 15%. The system remains very sluggish, with even basic tasks like Firefox and File Explorer failing to function properly. It’s strange because this wasn’t an issue a few days ago, and nothing has changed since I started using Firefox. The only sign is that it now takes around a minute for the browser to load.
Just switch to another internal storage option. Avoid putting unnecessary files on your boot drive. Use an external hard drive, a thumb drive, or even a paid upgrade if needed. Still, it’s straightforward—go to Settings > Apps, uninstall anything you don’t need. Open Task Manager, right-click items you don’t require at startup and select Disable.
Handle information individually and verify backups. Any storage device can fail instantly. Given your VPN is active, it seems the system is already cluttered with unnecessary files... it’s wise to reinstall the OS and avoid downloading additional software. Simpler is better. No, using a VPN doesn’t guarantee security. Your ISP and government still have access. And now the VPN provider also has that knowledge.
You're starting this for the first time with your PC. Since you're new, a factory reset might be the best option so you can begin fresh. If you want to retain important files like videos or specific data, you can back them up beforehand. Let me know if you need help with the process!
Keep your files on another drive or partition separate from the operating system. Reinstalling W11 might help. Resetting won’t fix or undo any malware damage. It’s possible your PC is infected with viruses or ransomware—remove that threat. Avoid installing anything suspicious again. Windows usually provides everything a regular user requires.