What to do if your Windows 10 computer freezes

What to do if your Windows 10 computer freezes.

What to do if your Windows 10 computer freezes

Method 1: System compliance check

If your computer started to freeze after installing “10”, and it worked without freezing with the previous operating systems, the problem is probably a mismatch with the Windows 10 system requirements. The operating system is not too demanding in terms of resources , but some low-powered PCs are unable to support it.

Our separate article details the minimum Windows 10 operating system requirements. There is also more information on the different features that are supported.

Read more: System requirements to install Windows 10

Once you are familiar with the system requirements, compare them with the capabilities of your computer. Device specifications can be viewed with the usual tools, while more detailed data is available in the specialized software interface. Please see separate instructions on our website for all methods.

More information: Know the specifications of Windows 10 for PC

If your PC won’t “pull” Windows 10 specifically because it doesn’t meet the system requirements, you’re better off going back to your previous operating system. But there are some ways to improve PC performance without resorting to a hardware upgrade.

Option 1: Swap File

One of the easiest methods to get rid of low RAM (if it is the lack of RAM that is causing the problem at hand) is to add a swap file, or virtual memory. This reduces the load on RAM when the component’s capabilities are insufficient to keep the system running. To create a swap file in Windows 10, you can use “Performance settings”. Try adding virtual memory as this can help to resolve PC freezing issue.

Read more: Activate swap file on Windows 10 PC

Also read: Increase the amount of RAM on a Windows 10 computer

Option 2: Increase component performance

If your computer allows it, you can overclock some of its components to increase system performance. This will not only help you get closer to the Windows 10 system requirements, but also improve the overall performance of the operating system and possibly eliminate crashes. It is common to overclock the CPU and graphics card. For this, manufacturers’ own utilities are used, be they BIOS capabilities or third-party software. You can find more information about this in our instructions.

Read more: Speed ​​up your graphics card/processor

Method 2: Scan for viruses

Another common cause of Windows 10 freespots is a piece of malware that has found its way into your system and is slowing it down. To fix the problem, scan your computer for viruses using specialized software or built-in defenses. You can also use portable utilities that do not require installation and are designed to quickly check for and remove suspicious files and programs. Our separate article describes all the options to scan Windows 10 and then remove viruses.

Read more: Methods to remove viruses from your Windows 10 computer

Method 3: Remove Windows Update

It is not uncommon for users to notice freezes after installing Windows 10 updates. This could mean that there is a problem with the updates themselves, which will eventually be fixed by the developers, or that there was a failure during the installation. If the problem occurs after an update, it might make sense to try uninstalling cumulative updates or downgrading to a previous version. Follow the link below to find out how to do it.

Read More: Windows 10 Update Rollback Methods

Method 4: Optimize autoload

It happens that your computer starts to freeze as soon as you start the system. The most common cause is autoloading of active programs, ie different user programs are opened in the background together with Windows. This causes PC components to become overloaded, causing freezes and lag. The problems might go away after a while, but in the end the reboot takes a long time.

Try to optimize autostart by removing unnecessary processes and programs. This can be done using a built-in “Task Manager” tool and specialized programs or services.

Read More: Disable Autorun Programs in Windows 10

Method 5: Update the drivers

Accessories need up-to-date software to work consistently and correctly, so outdated drivers can cause problems. Windows 10 has a built-in ability to update drivers, and you can also use third-party software or find them on official manufacturers’ websites. We have a step-by-step guide to help you update software for various PC components.

Read more: Update drivers in Windows 10

Method 6: Work with your hard drive

System crashes that cause your computer to freeze appear due to hard drive problems. The system may start running slower due to bad sectors or insufficient free space that is needed for Windows 10 to run smoothly. Before you think about replacing your hard drive, try cleaning or defragmenting it.

Option 1: Wipe system partition

The system drive is usually marked with the letter “C”, so to get rid of PC crashes, try to clean it of junk and unnecessary files. There is no single way to get rid of data and settings quickly and completely without damaging your system, so you will have to follow the instructions on our website step by step, starting with a basic “Recycle Bin” cleanup. The following steps will help you get rid of the crashes, download the folders, and scan and check your drive for errors. Follow the link below and follow the steps given to get rid of the crashes.

Read more: How to free up space on C drive in Windows 10

Option 2: Defragmentation (hard drive only)

You can speed up your drive by defragmenting it. This is especially relevant for users who are actively using the component, writing and deleting data. The drive stores information divided into different sectors on the disk, and when various changes cause the size of a particular file to increase, the system tends to leave chunks of it close to their original size. If continuous free space is limited, the file will be split into separate parts that will be placed on different sectors.

As a result, when the user starts opening that data or running an application, they have to wait for the system to “reassemble” it. To fix the problem, try defragmenting your drive, as this procedure puts all the pieces of the same file back together into a single row of unbroken free space. The operation can be performed with the system’s internal tools or with third-party software. Our author has analyzed the algorithm in another article.

Read More: Disk Defragmentation in Windows 10

Method 7: Eliminate overheating

Overheating of a PC hardware component also causes a drop in performance, which the user can attribute to operating system brakes. It is advisable to check the temperature of the computer components, and based on the information obtained, draw a conclusion. If any of the components overheats, look for the cause, buy a replacement or contact the service center. If all temperatures are normal, try to find the problem elsewhere. We have some aids, first of all to measure the temperature. Click on the correct name and read the material.

Read more:
How to find out the temperature of your processor / graphics card / power supply
Software to check computer temperature

Secondly, find out the possible causes of overheating of a certain device.

Read more: What to do if your CPU/video card/motherboard overheats?

Third, it compares the readings with the performance standards.

Read More: Processor/Graphics Card/Hard Drive Operating Temperatures

Laptop owners may want to read another guide.

Read more: Fix your laptop overheating problem

Method 8: Disable visual effects

The visual effects of Windows 10 put a strain on your system, which can cause it to freeze on less powerful computers. Use the Advanced Properties section of the Operating System to disable them all or selectively:

The interface will be stripped of various effects and animations, which will negatively affect the look and feel, but system performance will be increased, which will help get rid of freezes.