4 free Windows tools I use to find what’s slowing down my PC

Beginning his professional journey in the tech industry in 2018, Yash spent over three years as a Software Engineer. After that, he shifted his focus to empowering readers through informative and engaging content on his tech blog – DiGiTAL BiRYANi. He has also published tech articles for MakeTechEasier. He loves to explore new tech gadgets and platforms.  When he is not writing, you’ll find him exploring food. He is known as Digital Chef Yash among his readers because of his love for Technology and Food.

A slow PC can turn even simple tasks into a frustrating experience. Apps take longer to open, Windows feels sluggish, and everything seems to take longer than usual. My first instinct used to be to blame aging hardware, but I've learned that it's worth investigating before spending money on an upgrade. Windows has plenty of ways to hide what's going wrong, and the built-in tools don't always tell the whole story. That's why I keep a few free utilities around to dig deeper, understand what's happening behind the scenes, and figure out what deserves my attention.

Crystal DiskInfo

Is my drive healthy?

When my PC starts feeling slower than usual, I don't immediately blame Windows or the apps I'm running. Sometimes the storage drive itself is the problem, which is why I keep CrystalDiskInfo in my troubleshooting toolkit.

This free tool checks HDD and SSD health using S.M.A.R.T. data reported by the drive. I can quickly check its health status, temperature, and other indicators without digging through complicated menus. The interface isn't the most modern-looking, but it presents the important information clearly enough for me to understand what's going on.

What I find particularly useful is that CrystalDiskInfo can flag potential drive problems before they turn into bigger headaches. If I see a warning or unusual health indicators, I know it's time to investigate further and back up my important files.

Of course, a healthy status doesn't guarantee that a drive will never fail, and CrystalDiskInfo won't tell me exactly why every slowdown happens. Still, it's a quick first check when I suspect storage trouble.

App Control

Which apps should be allowed to run?

I like having control over what runs on my PC, especially when I don't recognize an app or don't remember installing it. That's where AppControl comes in. Instead of blindly trusting every executable, I can use it to manage which applications are allowed to run on my Windows system.

What makes this useful is the extra control it gives me over application execution. I can review the rules and decide which programs to permit or restrict, rather than letting every application run unchecked. It's particularly helpful when I want to keep unwanted software from running in the background or prevent unfamiliar programs from launching unexpectedly.

I wouldn't treat AppControl as a magic button that instantly makes Windows faster, though. Blocking applications without understanding what they do can break legitimate software or important system functions. I prefer to be cautious, check what a program does, and make changes only when I'm confident. For me, AppControl adds another layer of control over my Windows environment and helps me decide which software deserves access to my system.

WinDirStat

What's filling the drive?

When my PC starts running low on storage, I don't want to waste time opening folders and checking their sizes manually. WinDirStat gives me a visual breakdown of my drive, making it easier to understand where my storage space has gone.

Once the scan finishes, I get a directory tree showing folders and their sizes, alongside a colorful treemap representing the files on my drive. I find this layout particularly useful because larger blocks make space-consuming files stand out immediately. I can explore the directory tree, spot folders worth checking, and see which files take up more room than expected.

WinDirStat isn't as fast as some newer alternatives, especially on large drives, but its visual approach makes disk usage easy to understand. I can use it to find forgotten downloads, bulky media files, and other items I might no longer need.

It won't automatically speed up Windows, but it helps me reclaim storage space without guessing what to delete. And that makes it a useful tool to keep around.

Autoruns

What's launching when Windows starts?

I've noticed that a PC can take longer to feel ready even after Windows has finished booting. One reason is the number of programs and services that start automatically in the background. Autoruns helps me investigate these entries and understand what's running without opening each application individually.

Instead of showing only the usual startup apps, Autoruns lists entries from several locations, including scheduled tasks, services, and other automatic launch points. This gives me a much broader view of what's configured to start on my system.

When I spot an entry I don't recognize, I can check its publisher and file details before deciding what to do with it. I avoid disabling anything blindly because some entries belong to Windows or essential applications.

Autoruns isn't the simplest tool for beginners, but it's incredibly useful when I want to investigate startup behavior more thoroughly. By disabling entries I'm confident I don't need, I can reduce background activity and potentially make Windows startup feel less cluttered.

A slower PC doesn't always need an upgrade

Before spending money on new hardware, I prefer to investigate what's actually causing the slowdown. These free Windows tools help me look beyond the symptoms and make more informed decisions about my PC. I don't need to use all of them every day, either. I keep them handy for when something feels off, so I can troubleshoot instead of guessing what needs fixing.