Help me fix PC Freezing/Lagging Every few Seconds

Dear joseph n1!

Welcome to the Microsoft Community!

PC freezing or lagging can be caused by a variety of issues. Since you've just performed a factory reset, it's possible that some hardware components are not functioning correctly, or there might be software conflicts or lack of proper drivers. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue:

Check for Hardware Issues:

Ensure that all internal components are properly seated and connected.

Check the CPU and GPU cooling systems to make sure they are not overheating.

Test the RAM by running a memory diagnostic tool. You can do this by going to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Memory Diagnostic.

Update Drivers:

Even though the PC says it has no updates, it's worth checking for driver updates manually. Go to the manufacturer's website for your graphics card, motherboard, and any other critical hardware components and download the latest drivers.

Perform a Clean Boot:

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help you identify if a background program is causing the issue. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

To do so, right-click Start->Task manager. Go to the "Startup" tab, and disable all startup items. Then, press Windows+R and enter "msconfig". Go to the "Services" tab, select "Hide all Microsoft services", and then select "Disable all". Select Apply and reboot. See whether the issue persists.

Please refer to this support article for details, and how to pinpoint the application causing the issue.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance; however to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step, so that it will help you get back on track.

Check for Malware:

Even a freshly reset PC can have issues if it was infected before the reset. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to ensure your PC is clean.

Monitor System Resources:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and monitor the CPU, memory, and disk usage while the system is freezing. This can give you clues as to what might be causing the issue.

Check Power Settings:

Sometimes, power settings can cause issues. Make sure your power plan is set to 'High performance' and that your PC is not trying to save power in a way that could cause lag.

Test with Another User Account:

Create a new user account and see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is account-specific.

To do so, right-click Start->Terminal/PowerShell/Command prompt (Admin), and enter the following commands:

net user user1 pass1 /add

net localgroup administrators user1 /add

(Substitute "user1" and "pass1" with the username and password of the new user.)

After creating the user, reboot the computer, select the new user, and log in. See whether the issue persists.

Check for Disk Issues:

Run a check disk scan to ensure there are no issues with your hard drive. You can do this by right-clicking on the drive in File Explorer, selecting 'Properties', going to the 'Tools' tab, and clicking 'Check'.

If the above steps do not solve your problem, it is likely that your computer's system files have been damaged during the reset process. You may want to consider using USB installation media to cleanly install your Windows and then further confirm the system-level problem.

Disclaimer: This method will delete all your files and programs, so be sure to back them up first.

Before proceeding, please check the following:

To download and create Windows 10 installation media, use a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a working PC.

Explanation:

1. Visit Microsoft Website: Download Windows 10
2. Under Windows 10 Disk Image (ISO) Download, hit Download Tool Now.
3. Launch the downloaded tool and follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive.

On the affected computer:

1. Start your PC using a Windows 10 USB flash drive.
2. Press any key to continue.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Settings will also prompt you to select the version which is same with your license.
6. Select the "Accept Acceptance Conditions" option.
7. Click Next.
8. Customize: Select to install Windows only.
9. Select the option to delete all existing partitions.
10. It'll be completed as described on the screen.

Remember to reverse any changes you make, such as those in the clean boot process, once you've finished troubleshooting to avoid any unintended side effects. If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be time to seek professional help.

Thank you for your understanding and support! 

May everything be perfect for you at the end of 2024 and all the best in the coming 2025~

Best regards,

Yang.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist