What "refresh" means and when you need it
Refreshing your computer means clearing out temporary files, closing background programs, and restarting your system to free up memory and processing power. A refresh is not the same as a factory reset—it does not erase your files or settings. Instead, it clears the clutter that builds up over time and slows down performance.
You should refresh your computer when it feels sluggish, programs take a long time to open, or your screen freezes for a few seconds at a time. Refreshing is also useful after installing new software, if you notice your fan running constantly, or if you have not restarted in several weeks.
The simplest refresh is a restart. More thorough refreshes involve clearing temporary files, disabling startup programs, and checking your storage space. This guide covers both quick fixes and deeper cleaning steps.
Key Takeaways
- A basic restart clears your computer's memory and stops background processes, which solves most slowness problems.
- Temporary files and cached data accumulate in your system and can be safely deleted to free up storage space.
- Programs that launch automatically when you start your computer consume memory and slow down boot time—you can disable the ones you do not use.
- Checking how much storage space you have left helps identify whether a full drive is causing slowness.
- A refresh is different from a factory reset; refreshing keeps your files and settings while a factory reset erases everything.
The quickest refresh: restart your computer
A restart is the fastest way to refresh your system. When you restart, your computer closes all open programs, clears temporary data from memory, and stops background processes that may have been running for days or weeks. Most slowness problems disappear after a restart.
On Windows, click the Start button, select the power icon, and choose Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, and then turn your computer back on. Wait for your desktop to fully load before opening programs—this usually takes one to three minutes depending on your computer's age and storage.
If your computer is frozen and will not respond to clicks, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This is a forced restart and should only be used when the normal restart does not work.
Clear temporary files and cache
Your computer stores temporary files, browser cache, and process data that accumulate over months or years. These files take up storage space and can slow down your system. Clearing them is safe—your important documents, photos, and settings remain untouched.
On Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Temp. Select all files in this folder (press Ctrl+A), then delete them. Some files may be in use and will not delete—skip those. You can also use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool: search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu, select your main drive, and check the boxes next to "Temporary files," "Recycle Bin," and "Temporary internet files." Click Delete Files.
On Mac: Open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, hold Option, and select Library. Navigate to Caches and delete folders you recognize (like browser caches). You can also empty your browser cache directly: in Safari, click Safari in the menu, select Clear History, choose "all history," and click Clear History. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac), select "All time," check "Cached images and files," and click Clear data.
Disable programs that start automatically
Many programs are set to launch when your computer starts, even if you do not use them. These startup programs consume memory and slow down your boot time. Disabling the ones you do not need speeds up your computer noticeably.
On Windows: Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager. Click the Startup tab. You will see a list of programs with a "Status" column showing "Enabled" or "Disabled." Right-click any program you do not use regularly and select Disable. Common programs to disable include Adobe Reader, Spotify, Discord, and cloud sync services if you do not use them daily. Do not disable antivirus software or Windows Defender.
On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. Select Login Items. Under "Allow in the Login Window," you will see programs that start automatically. Click the minus button next to any program you want to remove. You can also check the Allow in the Login Window section to see which apps have permission to launch at startup.
Check your storage space
A computer that is nearly full runs slowly because it has no room to create temporary files or cache data. Check how much free space you have and delete files you no longer need if your drive is more than 85 percent full.
On Windows: Open File Explorer, right-click This PC in the sidebar, and select Properties. You will see a bar showing how much space is used and how much is free. If the bar is mostly full, open File Explorer and look for large files or folders you can delete. Check your Downloads folder, Desktop, and Documents first—these often contain old installers, screenshots, or files you have forgotten about. You can also right-click your main drive, select Properties, and click Disk Cleanup to remove system files you no longer need.
On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and click the Storage tab. You will see a colored bar showing what is using space. Click Manage to see recommendations for freeing space, such as deleting old downloads, emptying the trash, or removing duplicate files. You can also delete large files manually by opening Finder, clicking File, selecting Find, and searching for files larger than 100 MB that you no longer use.
Update your operating system and drivers
Operating system updates and driver updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that make your computer run faster. Checking for updates is part of a thorough refresh.
On Windows: Click the Start button, type "Windows Update," and select Check for updates. If updates are available, click Install now and restart your computer when prompted. This may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many updates are waiting.
On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click General in the sidebar, and select Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now. Your Mac will restart automatically to complete the installation.
When to do a full refresh versus a factory reset
The steps above—restarting, clearing files, disabling startup programs, and updating—make up a full refresh. These steps solve most slowness problems and take 30 minutes to an hour. A factory reset is different: it erases everything on your computer and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. You should only do a factory reset if your computer is still very slow after a full refresh, if you are selling or giving away your computer, or if you have a serious virus or malware problem.
Before a factory reset, back up all your important files to an external drive or cloud storage. A factory reset cannot be undone. If you decide a factory reset is necessary, search "reset this PC" on Windows or "erase Mac" on Mac for step-by-step instructions specific to your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I refresh my computer?
Restart your computer at least once a week. Clear temporary files and check startup programs every month or two. If your computer feels slow, a restart is the first thing to try before doing anything else.
Will refreshing my computer delete my files?
No. Restarting, clearing temporary files, disabling startup programs, and updating your system all leave your documents, photos, and settings untouched. Only a factory reset erases your files, and that requires you to choose that option explicitly.
What is the difference between restarting and shutting down?
Shutting down turns your computer completely off. Restarting turns it off and when ready turns it back on. Both clear your computer's memory, but a restart is faster if you plan to use your computer again right away.
Can I disable Windows Defender or my antivirus software from startup?
No. Antivirus software and Windows Defender should always run at startup to protect your computer from threats. Disable only programs you recognize and do not use regularly.
Why is my computer still slow after I restart it?
If a restart does not help, try clearing temporary files and disabling unnecessary startup programs. If your drive is nearly full, delete files to free up space. If slowness continues, check for malware with your antivirus software or consider a factory reset as a last step.