Small changes help slow Windows computers speed up significantly

When you first bought your computer, it booted up in seconds and ran like a dream. But things changed over time. It turns out that the problem wasn’t the hardware, but Windows silently running background services that you didn’t need.

What is slowing down my computer?

Your Windows computer may have been fast at first, but over time it can start to slow down. Programs take longer to open, files load more slowly, and even something as simple as searching for a document can take a long time. The truth is, your computer may be busy running tasks that you don't even realize are happening.

For example, search indexing is a process that continuously scans your files, emails, and other data in the background. It does this so it can provide quick results whenever you type content into the search bar.

The problem is, while it's busy scanning, it's also consuming CPU power and disk activity. On a fast computer, you might not even notice this. However, on an older or slower computer, it can make things feel sluggish.

Next is the Windows Update Medic (or WaaSMedic ) service. Its main job is to keep Windows Update running smoothly. Even if you pause or disable Windows updates, the Medic service often restarts to restart them. While checking for updates, downloading files, and preparing for installation, it can silently degrade system performance.

When both of these services run in the background, they compete for your computer's limited resources. That's why you may notice your fans spinning and programs taking longer to load.

Limit or disable Search Indexing

By default, Windows indexes almost everything on your computer—documents, images, emails, system files, and so on. This way, when you search for something, results appear almost instantly. While this is convenient, constantly indexing files you may never search for can put unnecessary strain on your system.

The more files Windows indexes, the more CPU and disk resources it consumes. If you don’t want to disable search indexing completely, narrowing the scope of indexing is a great way to balance speed and convenience. For example, you might not want Windows to index your entire C: drive or every temporary file stored on your system.

1. Press Win + S to open the search menu.
2. Type indexing options and press Enter .
3. In the Indexing Options window, click Modify .
4. Uncheck any folders or drives you don't need indexed and click OK .

Limiting search indexing is a middle ground that makes searching more convenient while reducing the load on your PC.

However, if you rarely use Windows Search and performance is a top priority, you can disable search indexing entirely. This is especially useful for gamers or anyone who needs maximum processing power.

1. Press Win + R , type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Search in the list. Right-click it and select Properties .
3. Set Startup type to Disabled and click Apply .
4. Click the Stop button and select Yes to confirm.

Turning off indexing means your searches may take a little longer, but overall your computer will be faster and more responsive. And if you find yourself constantly having to do nothing with your hard drive, this small change can make a surprisingly big difference.

Disable Windows Update Medic Service

The Windows Update Medic Service is one of the main reasons why it’s so difficult to disable automatic updates in Windows. This service runs in the background, constantly checking for updates, making sure all the relevant components and services are running. Even if you pause or disable updates through the Settings app, the Medic Service will often step in to restart them.

You'll see it listed as WaaSMedic in Windows Services. The tricky thing is, if you try to disable it directly, you'll likely get an "Access is denied" error. In other words, Windows really doesn't want you to disable it.

It is still possible to disable it, but it is not as simple as clicking a button. The only reliable method is through the Registry Editor. Before making any changes, it is best to back up your registry files and create a restore point. That way, if something goes wrong, you can restore your system to a clean state.

1. Open Registry Editor using the search menu.
2. Use the left pane to navigate to HKLM > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > WaaSMedicSvc .
3. Double-click the DWORD Start and change its value to 4 .
4. Click OK and restart your computer.

While disabling the Windows Update Medic Service can free up resources and prevent update interruptions, it also means you’ll need to check for and install updates manually. This is a bit of a pain, but at least you’ll be able to install updates at will.

A slow Windows PC doesn’t always need an expensive upgrade or a complete reinstall to get it running fast again. Making these two changes should give your PC a significant speed boost. And if you don’t rely on Windows Search to find your files, you don’t need to worry about the trade-offs.