Slow computer? Start with what you notice.

Notice when the delay happens.

Does startup or sign-in take longer than usual? Does one app take time to open, do several apps feel sluggish, or do web pages take a long time to load? Note whether the delay happens once or throughout the day.

Sources: [1]

Write down what the computer does.

Note whether typing appears late, windows freeze, a program closes, sound or video stutters, or the device restarts. If you see an error, copy its exact wording or take a photo of the screen. Do not guess what the message means.

Sources: [1]

Name the affected apps and tasks.

List the app names and what you were doing—for example, opening a document, joining a video call, or browsing a particular site. Mention whether the same task feels slow in another app or browser, if you already know.

Sources: [1]

Record when you first noticed it.

Write down an approximate day or time, whether it started suddenly or gradually, and how often it happens. If it is intermittent, note what was open and what you were doing when it happened.

List recent changes you remember.

Mention a new app or device, an update, a settings change, a move to a different network, or a drop or spill if any of those happened around the same time. Keep this as a timeline, not a conclusion about the cause.

Sources: [1]

Add the conditions that seem to matter.

Note whether it happens only after startup, while charging or on battery, with several apps open, or during one particular task. Include the computer model and operating-system version if they are easy to find; do not delay getting help to look them up.

Save your work, then restart once.

Close documents and apps normally, save anything unfinished, and restart the computer when it is a convenient time. After it starts, open only what you need and notice whether the same slowdown returns. Do not restart while updates or important work are in progress.

Sources: [1]

Compare one familiar task.

If one app or website seems slow, try the same ordinary task in another app or browser you already use, when available. Note whether the delay follows one app or appears across the computer; this comparison does not identify the cause.

Observe resource use; do not guess at processes.

If you are comfortable opening your computer’s built-in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac), you can look at CPU, memory, and disk activity while the slowdown occurs. Record what you see, but do not end unfamiliar tasks or change startup settings.

Sources: [1], [2]

Pause before cleanup or urgent prompts.

Do not delete files, clear browser data, change system settings, install a “cleaner,” or reset the computer as a first check. Treat an unexpected warning that tells you to call a number or grant remote access cautiously; use contact details you find independently instead.

Sources: [3]

Gather the useful details.

Include when the issue began, what feels slow, the affected apps or tasks, how often it happens, exact error messages, recent changes, and any checks you tried with their results.

Leave private information out.

Do not include passwords, verification codes, full payment details, or private document contents in notes. For a work or school computer, check with your organization’s IT contact before changing it or sharing device details.

Sources: [3]

Check the current published scope first.

The offer page and FAQ show what the current computer-help session lists and explain what happens after a request. A symptom by itself cannot establish a diagnosis, confirm that its cause is covered, or promise an outcome.