Windows 8.1 feels slow on a new install and new laptop

scott7saunders

New Member
Messages
44
Hey,

I have just purchased a new i7 quad core HP Envy laptop thats all singing and all dancing etc however the overal feel of Windows is very "sluggish" and slow.

Thought it was me initially however it definately is not as fast as my wives 3 year old i5 core when it comes to starting up, opening programs or switching between windows. The big speed delay is really obvious when you try and open folders using Windows explorer.

Is there anything that I can look to fix or change - even something where I can see what the bottleneck is ?

Thanks

Scott
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
    Memory
    12GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 840M 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (Beats Audio)
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1GB hybrid HHD
    Internet Speed
    152MB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 standard
If its brand new, you can rest it to factory fresh and get rid of a lot of the HP junk ware that is installed. Also you can go into the Start Up screen in Task Manager and disable a lot of programs from running at start up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Haswell i5 4690
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97-A
    Memory
    2 x 8gb HyperX, by Kingston
    Graphics Card(s)
    None yet
    Sound Card
    Outboard USB DAC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24D360
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
cheers fella - I have removed most of the HP branded junk but its still very slow - almost feels like the hard drive is constantly working.

I have have a spare SSD which I will install and see how much of a difference that makes.

thanks again.

Scott
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
    Memory
    12GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 840M 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (Beats Audio)
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1GB hybrid HHD
    Internet Speed
    152MB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 standard
... almost feels like the hard drive is constantly working. ...

How many hours has this new machine been in use? You may be encountering a system that is running an updater in the background, indexing files for Search and/or one that is running its virus scanner for the first time. This can take a surprising amount of time if you are also using the new machine heavily at the same time, particularly if you are installing new software on the new machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1u1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
... almost feels like the hard drive is constantly working. ...

How many hours has this new machine been in use? You may be encountering a system that is running an updater in the background, indexing files for Search and/or one that is running its virus scanner for the first time. This can take a surprising amount of time if you are also using the new machine heavily at the same time, particularly if you are installing new software on the new machine.


Yes, this is definitely a factor that I forgot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Haswell i5 4690
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97-A
    Memory
    2 x 8gb HyperX, by Kingston
    Graphics Card(s)
    None yet
    Sound Card
    Outboard USB DAC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24D360
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The slowness on laptops is mostly caused by the slowpoke 5400 RPM disks. Throw that HDD out and replace it with a SSD and your laptop will fly.

A 240GB SSD you can get for under $100 and a 500GB SSD goes for $180 and up. Example:

Crucial BX100 CT500BX100SSD1 2.5" 500GB SATA 6Gbps (SATA III) Micron 16nm MLC NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Newegg.com

And Mushkin is my favorite - very fast. I have a 60GB, a 120GB and a 240GB.

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR240GB-G2 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Newegg.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Task Manager and Resource Monitor will show processes which are using up the disk, memory, CPUs. After an update the system defragger and Norton 360 makes my laptop unusable as the processes monopolize the disk. Waiting awhile solved the problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba C55Dt-A5106
    CPU
    Processor AMD A6-5200 APU with Radeon(TM) HD Graphics, 2 Ghz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    Toshiba PSCFWU-02C031
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8400
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop and DELL E193FP
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MQ01ABD075
    DVD Writer TSSTcorp CDDVDW SU-208FB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave 2.4 Cordless or Laptop Standard PS/2 Keyboard Enhanced
    Mouse
    Logitech M1100 Performance Laser Cordless Combo or Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    Upload/Download 91/11Mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Toshiba System Settings V1.1.2.32001
    BIOS Version Inside Corp., 1.60, 11/15/2013
    EC (Embedded Controller) Version 1.20
    Hardware Abstraction Layer 6.3.9600.16500
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