Throughout my experience, I’ve come across a range of free Windows utilities that are invaluable for diagnosing issues that can slow down my computer. These tools have not only conserved my time but have also spared me from incurring costly repairs from professional technicians.
6 Windows Device Performance and Health
To kick off our exploration, let’s discuss the Windows Device Performance & Health feature, a straightforward tool for assessing your computer’s overall performance. Whenever there’s a dip in performance, I turn to this utility to identify issues at a glance. The presence of yellow warning icons quickly alerts me to areas needing attention, such as available storage, battery condition, and system synchronization.
To access this feature, simply press the Windows key, type “Windows Security”, and press Enter. Once inside Windows Security, click on Device performance & health. The interface provides a clean dashboard displaying green checkmarks for optimal performance or yellow icons that signal potential concerns.
For instance, if the Storage capacity indicates low disk space, I know it’s crucial to keep at least 20% of the drive open for optimal function. After receiving this notification, I clicked See more info to dive into Windows’ storage settings and quickly clear up unnecessary files.
Another extremely helpful section is the Battery life indicator, particularly useful for my laptop. It pinpoints which applications are overly taxing the battery and offers tips to improve longevity. Although there are some more robust battery analysis tools available, this integrated option is my favorite for its simplicity—especially when I’m away from my charger while working.
5 Windows Resource Monitor
My top choice for uncovering why someone’s computer is lagging is the Windows Resource Monitor. This built-in, free tool is a lifesaver, providing real-time data on all system resource consumption for convenient diagnostics.
You can launch Resource Monitor by pressing the Windows key, typing “resmon”, and hitting Enter. Alternatively, it can be accessed via Task Manager through Ctrl + Shift + Esc, navigating to the Performance tab, and clicking Open Resource Monitor at the base of the window.
The Overview tab provides a comprehensive snapshot of system health, enabling me to identify which processes are consuming CPU, memory, disk, and network resources effectively. This clarity allows for swift identification of performance culprits.
Just the other day, I detected that Adobe Lightroom was continually accessing my desktop’s hard drive, even when inactive. When checking the Disk section under Processes with Disk Activity, I discovered substantial write actions. I learned that Lightroom was busy rebuilding previews and updating catalogs in the background. The fix involved relocating the entire catalog to a secondary drive and updating Lightroom settings accordingly.
If I had solely depended on Task Manager’s Performance tab, I would have only received a cursory view of system performance. The Resource Monitor empowered me to pinpoint the specific applications and processes causing the delay, including which files were being accessed.
4 Windows Memory Diagnostic
When it comes to issues with Random Access Memory (RAM), Windows Memory Diagnostic is an indispensable tool in my arsenal. Faulty RAM can lead to unexpected freezing, crashing, or overall sluggishness in performance.
To utilize this tool, press Win + R, enter “mdsched.exe”, and hit Enter. The Windows Memory Diagnostic window appears with two options; I typically select Restart now and check for problems to receive immediate feedback.
After rebooting, the tool displays a blue screen with a progress meter for the test. For more thorough diagnostics, I press F1 during testing to explore advanced options, including Extended testing and adjusting the number of passes.
Once the test completes and Windows restarts, I examine the results via the Event Viewer. This involves pressing Win + X, selecting Event Viewer, expanding Windows Logs, clicking on System, and then using Ctrl + F to find “MemoryDiagnostics-Results”.
3 HWiNFO
While the built-in tools offer excellent functionality, sometimes I require more intricate information regarding my hardware. HWiNFO is an outstanding resource, providing deep insights into every component of my computer, along with real-time monitoring of temperatures, voltages, and fan performance.
First, visit HWiNFO’s website to download the Installer. Follow the steps to extract the files and run a standard 64-bit installation, after which you can search for and launch HWiNFO easily, opting to click Run for both the Summary and Sensors windows.
The Summary window provides a wealth of detail about my hardware components, while the Sensors window is where I spend most of my time. This area enables me to monitor real-time data, updated every few seconds. The color codes indicate the status: green for normal, yellow for caution, and red for immediate attention required.
By keeping this tool active during gaming or heavy tasks, I’ve been able to preemptively address overheating issues. For example, last summer, I noticed my CPU temperatures soaring to 90°C while gaming, thanks to HWiNFO. This prompted me to replace my case fans, preventing any catastrophic damage.
Moreover, the program records long-term statistics and can log data, which has been beneficial for spotting patterns and diagnosing intermittent issues. I particularly appreciate the ability to customize which sensor readings are displayed, hiding the less relevant ones.
2 Wintoys
For straightforward diagnostics that eschew technicalities, Wintoys consolidates various Windows settings and tools into a user-friendly interface. Its design is so effective that it should be a preinstalled application on all Windows systems. After downloading Wintoys from the Microsoft Store, it has become my go-to for quick performance assessments rather than deep hardware analytics.
Wintoys offers numerous features for enhancing your computer’s performance, including a main dashboard that displays real-time graphs of CPU, GPU, and memory usage. This visual aid allows me to immediately identify any resource-hogging processes. I then navigate to the Health section in the sidebar, followed by Repair.
In this area, I can run significant diagnostic utilities such as DISM (which repairs the core Windows system image), SFC (which scans and repairs individual system files), and CHKDSK (which examines drives for errors and bad sectors) with simple one-click buttons. Whenever I suspect file corruption or system faults, I can run these tools seamlessly from the clean interface.
Post-diagnosis, I revisit the main dashboard to assess any performance improvements. Additionally, I utilize the flame icon for a quick system benchmark, allowing me to verify speed enhancements after implementing changes both within and beyond Wintoys.
1 CrystalDiskInfo
Given that storage drive health is crucial, I turn to CrystalDiskInfo for targeted insights. While both HWiNFO and Wintoys provide basic drive information, CrystalDiskInfo excels at forecasting drive failures.
You can download CrystalDiskInfo from SourceForge; the CrystalDiskInfo site also offers themed versions if that interests you. After downloading, unzip the files and launch DiskInfo64.exe to access the 64-bit version. Upon opening, CrystalDiskInfo promptly scans all storage devices and presents their health status.
The main interface distinctly shows the health status of each drive using straightforward terms such as Good, Caution, or Bad, along with color-coding for clarity. Green indicates healthy status, yellow suggests caution, and red signifies detected issues. It displays current temperatures, total power-on hours, and power cycle counts for each disk.
I pay close attention to the Reallocated Sectors Count within the detailed SMART data, as it reveals how a drive manages bad sectors over time. A few reallocated sectors may be normal, but a rapid increase is an alarming signal of an impending failure.
Thanks to CrystalDiskInfo, I replaced two failing hard drives after being alerted to rising reallocated sector counts. Both times, I managed to back up my data before the drives failed completely. The application also monitors drive temperatures and can send email notifications if overheating occurs.
For SSDs, CrystalDiskInfo calculates the remaining lifespan based on written data, allowing me to monitor Total Host Writes for insights into the drive’s longevity.
These tools have seamlessly integrated into my routine for computer maintenance, enabling me to address various performance issues, avert hardware malfunctions, and ensure optimal system functionality. Best of all, they are completely free and user-friendly, requiring no technical knowledge for effective usage.
So, before resorting to expensive repairs or considering a new machine, give these tools a try when your computer begins to misbehave.
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