Windows 10 Slows down gradually

dlwmacgregor said:

Thanks for the feedback.
You see, the thing I don't understand is that it can run for extended periods after a fresh reboot (like all of yesterday) without any problems. Those Startup items were running the whole time.

You do remember that we're discussing Microsoft Windows right? Sometimes the behavior can be illogical and we aren't able to rationalize this behavior until we've resolved the problem and can rely on hind-site. A quick search on the internet will show that many Windows PCs suffer from this slow performance between reboots and there can be many different root causes.

With many slow-performance related problems, the quick and easy items to test are reducing unnecessary system resource-use and then identifying if the fault is a Windows problem or third-party app related. I'm not suggesting you stop using any program forever, they don't have to stay disabled any longer than a short testing period.

If we should determine that the slow-down occurs with all non-microsoft apps disabled, then we can look for Component Store corruption and/or system file problems. One step at a time.

With a proper clean boot test you will disable all non-microsoft apps. If you prefer, instead of picking and choosing select items from the start tab in the task manager (as previously suggested), you can just skip that test and perform a clean boot.

I know, you keep asking why this happens now after it worked so perfectly for months. I don't have an answer for you. If you prefer to spend more time exploring the theoretical side of how and why this slow-down is happening instead of identifying a solution, I'd suggest Google or you can wait here for someone with a more advanced theoretical understanding of Windows 10, that's your call.

Others item I'd consider;
Verify that unnecessary apps are not running in the background.





Many experienced and advanced users use a bloatware remover app to cleanup all the extraneous garbage that runs in the background, I have no experience with this and can't provide any guidance on the topic other than suggesting you research the concept. I have it on my to-do list.

GitHub - Sycnex/Windows10Debloater: Script to remove Windows 10 bloatware.

dlwmacgregor said:

We do print a lot, and scan.

Do you require to have every element of the Brother software loaded and ready at every boot? Are these apps being loaded on startup so important they can't be disabled for test?

I understand if that's the case, during my working years there were numerous production systems that could not be altered.

dlwmacgregor said:

I am using Acronis and I like it.

Do you use a fully automated backup process or manually started backups?

I hear what you're saying Tweaker and I totally agree.
It can be frustrating. For instance the slowdown isn't there today after running my "scheduled" Backup as always last night. It runs automatically. All unnecessary Acronis modules (services) have been disabled.
I'll keep an eye on it and when the slowdown occurs again I'll proceed with selective boot first.

Again, thank you for your insight and attention to my problem.

Cheers

dlwmacgregor said:

I hear what you're saying Tweaker and I totally agree.

dlwmacgregor said:

It can be frustrating. For instance the slowdown isn't there today after running my "scheduled" Backup as always last night. It runs automatically. All unnecessary Acronis modules (services) have been disabled.
I'll keep an eye on it and when the slowdown occurs again I'll proceed with selective boot first.

Again, thank you for your insight and attention to my problem.

Cheers

Sorry, I missed this post. ^^^

You're most welcome for the assist.

dlwmacgregor said:

Update:
I turned off several Background Apps (unfortunately I did not keep track of which ones), most of which were apps I do not use.
The problem has not appeared since my last posting and I have been using the PC like I always do and trying to tax the system as well.
The problem had to be related to one of the Background Apps, probably one that Microsoft "turned on" with the 2004 update.

That's great news.

Very often, Windows or other updates will enable items in the start menu again.

Once you've decided your system is performing properly, you might want to record everything that shows as enabled , for future reference. I keep screenshots of mine.

dlwmacgregor said:

Thanks for the tip. I will do that.
I think 2 of the big ones were Cortana and Microsoft Store.
Cheers

You're welcome.

I'm not surprised about Microsoft Store, I understand that many users don't use it and uninstall it entirely. If you use any Microsoft Store apps, I wouldn't recommend uninstalling it. I can't see much benefit from having it enabled to run in the background, I have nothing enabled for 'Background Apps'.

I suppose the same goes for Cortana, many seem to strongly dislike it. Personally, I find it very useful but mine is modified to behave to my liking and with winver 1809, Cortana and Windows Search were still together. I believe it wasn't until 1903 that Windows Search and Cortana were de-coupled.

dlwmacgregor said:

Interesting that you haven't enable Settings to run in the Background. How important is it? If not I will disable it as well.
What I have found now is that my PC has reverted to the quickness I first discovered when I built it in January.
And it's really "flying".
Did you turn off Telemetry in the Registry?

I've been operating several Windows 10 PCs for only 2.5 years but they're all locked up as far as privacy and telemetry are concerned. I suppose someone could argue that disabling background apps could delay updates, that doesn't concern me.

I live in the country with a marginal quality wireless internet connection that is stupid expensive (from the local cell tower). Almost $200/month for 20GB to 50GB and a landline service. Some day I'll install a tower and subscribe to another service with uncapped bandwidth and about $60/month.

So far, I control all Windows updates (thanks Matthew Wai) and most background telemetry. Yes, I have them locked up where-ever I am able. I'm not certain if that would change even if I had a GB Ethernet service. I don't wear tin foil hats often but I also believe that my privacy and business are 'My business'.

I'm glad to hear your PC is flying again. Congrats.

Another location to check is the settings in Microsoft Store.




Check this for some other perspectives about privacy and sharing telemetry with MS.

Turn On or Off Background Apps in Windows 10

Why you should disable (most) background apps in Windows 10

Four Ways to Disable Windows 10 Background Apps

daopa said:

Hello, live and learn but specifically read and learn. After the fine post from WT, I went to Background Apps and negated them all. As you said, it flies. Instead of the previous 55 seconds to boot my Asus, it does it now in 37 seconds. I am on a saved machine that was so clogged with dust that it would quit randomly, it has been running fine for the last 2 months.
There are so many user variables in Win-10 that one can not know them all. Thanks for the head-up, WT.

Thanks daopa, glad to hear that helped. Keep reading Ten Forums and I'm confident you'll learn many valuable tips.