Understanding and Fixing the Windows 10 WHEA Uncorrectable Error

Windows 10 is a robust and feature-rich operating system, but over time, you may notice your PC slowing down. This can be due to a variety of reasons, from too many startup programs to outdated hardware. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to speed up your Windows 10 PC and improve its performance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you optimize your system and get it running smoothly again.

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Many programs start automatically when you boot up your PC, which can slow down the startup process. Disabling unnecessary startup programs can significantly speed up your boot time.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Click on the Startup tab.
3. Review the list of programs and disable those that you don’t need to start automatically by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

2. Uninstall Unused Programs

Over time, you may accumulate a lot of software that you no longer use. These programs take up space and can slow down your PC.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Apps.
2. Review the list of installed programs.
3. Click on any programs you no longer need and select Uninstall.

3. Clean Up Your Disk

Windows 10 includes a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that helps you remove temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary data.

Steps:

1. Type Disk Cleanup in the search bar and open the tool.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:) and click OK.
3. Check the boxes for the types of files you want to delete and click OK.

4. Defragment Your Hard Drive

If you’re using a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), defragmenting can help improve performance. This process rearranges fragmented data so your system can access it more efficiently.

Steps:

1. Type Defragment in the search bar and open Defragment and Optimize Drives.
2. Select your hard drive and click Optimize.

Note: If you have a solid-state drive (SSD), you do not need to defragment it.

5. Adjust Visual Effects

Windows 10 comes with various visual effects that can slow down your system. Adjusting these settings can help improve performance.

Steps:

1. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.
2. Click on Advanced system settings.
3. Under the Performance section, click Settings.
4. Select Adjust for best performance or manually choose which effects to disable.

6. Update Windows and Drivers

Keeping your operating system and drivers up to date can improve performance and security.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Update & Security.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

7. Increase Virtual Memory

Virtual memory can help your system manage more tasks at once. Increasing the size of your virtual memory can improve performance.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to System.
2. Click About and then Advanced system settings.
3. Under Performance, click Settings.
4. Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
5. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
6. Select your drive and set a custom size. A good rule of thumb is to set the initial size to 1.5 times your RAM and the maximum size to 3 times your RAM.

8. Disable Background Apps

Some apps run in the background and consume system resources. Disabling unnecessary background apps can free up resources.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Privacy.
2. Click Background apps.
3. Turn off the toggle for apps you don’t need running in the background.

9. Use a Lightweight Antivirus

A heavy antivirus program can slow down your PC. Consider using a lightweight antivirus that provides good protection without consuming too many resources.

Recommended Options:

• Windows Defender (built-in and efficient)
• Avast Free Antivirus
• AVG Antivirus

10. Perform a Fresh Install

If your system is still slow after trying all the above steps, performing a fresh install of Windows 10 can give your PC a new lease on life.

Steps:

1. Back up your important data.
2. Create a Windows 10 installation media using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
3. Boot from the installation media and follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly improve the performance of your Windows 10 PC. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning up disk space, updating software, and managing startup programs, can help keep your system running smoothly. If you’re still experiencing performance issues, consider upgrading your hardware, such as adding more RAM or switching to an SSD, for a more substantial improvement.