Windows hangs or freezes

Article ID: 2681286 - View products that this article applies to.
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Summary

When your computer hangs, or freezes it’s disruptive and can slow you down. There are a few reasons your computer might hang, freeze or crash. Let’s fix the problem so you can get back up and running.


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Resolution

Select your operating system for the appropriate steps.

Windows 8

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My computer hangs or freezes at the Starting Windows screen
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Troubleshooting startup problems can be difficult because every PC is set up differently. Drivers, conflicts with other programs, malware, and memory can all cause startup problems. Startup repair can detect and fix problems that prevent your PC from starting.
Try this

Startup repair should automatically start on its own and try to fix the problem. If Startup Repair doesn’t start on its own, here’s how to open the System Recovery Options menu:
  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer; swipe from the right or press the Windows + C keys to open the Charms bar. Next, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Change PC Settings, and then select General. Under Advanced startup, tap or click the Restart now button.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If your computer has a single operating system, Chose an option will appear.
    • If your computer has more than one operation system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then Chose an option will appear.
  3. On Choose an option screen, tap or click on Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and then Automatic Repair.
If repairs aren’t successful, you’ll see a summary of the problems and links to contact support. You may also get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/performance)
.
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My computer hangs or freezes randomly
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If you notice your PC slowing down or freezing you can update the drivers to improve performance.
  1. Swipe from the right or press the Windows + C key. Tap or click the Search charm, and then type Windows Update.
  2. Tap or click Settings, and then select Install optional updates.
  3. When the Windows Update control panel opens, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner to receive a list of available updates for your PC.
If your PC is still slow or freezing, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/performance)
.
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My computer hangs or freezes when browsing the Internet
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You can automatically diagnose and repair problems that make your browsing slow.
Automatically diagnose and repair problems that make Internet Explorer freeze or crash, by running the following Microsoft Fix it:

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The Fix Internet Explorer issues to make IE fast, safe and stable troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.learn more
()
run now
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=260603)
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If IE is still freezing, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie9)
.
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My computer hangs or freezes when it installs updates
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If your computer hangs when it installs updates, an automatic troubleshooter is available that can diagnose and repair the problem.

Automatically diagnose and repair problems with Windows Update, by running the following Microsoft Fix it:

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The Windows Update troubleshooter troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.learn more
()
run now
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=260622)
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Notes
  • This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
  • If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
If updates are still causing your computer to hang, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_update)
.
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Can a virus make my computer hang or freeze?
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When your computer hangs it doesn’t mean you have a virus, but viruses can cause performance issues that can make your computer to freeze or crash. To check for viruses, run the Microsoft Safety Scanner
(http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx)
.
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Windows 7

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My computer hangs or freezes at the Starting Windows screen
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Troubleshooting startup problems can be difficult because every PC is set up differently. Drivers, conflicts with other programs, malware, and memory can all cause startup problems. Startup repair can detect and fix problems that prevent your PC from starting.

Startup repair should automatically start on its own and try to fix the problem. If Startup Repair doesn’t start on its own, here’s how to open the System Recovery Options menu:
  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer by using the computer's power button.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If your computer has a single operating system, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
    • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
  3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter. (If Repair your computer isn't listed as an option, then your computer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options or you network administrator has turned them off.)
  4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
  5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair.
If repairs aren’t successful, you’ll see a summary of the problems and links to contact support. You may also get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/performance)
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/performance).
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My computer hangs or freezes randomly
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If you notice your PC slowing down or freezing you can automatically diagnose and repair problems that slow you down.
Automatically speed up your PC by running the following Microsoft Fix it:

Collapse this imageExpand this image
The Fix Windows system performance problems on slow Windows computers troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.learn more
()
run now
(http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9740820)
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If your PC is still slow, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/performance)
.
Collapse this imageExpand this image
My computer hangs or freezes when browsing the Internet
Collapse this imageExpand this image
You can automatically diagnose and repair problems that make your browsing slow.
Automatically diagnose and repair problems that make Internet Explorer freeze or crash, by running the following Microsoft Fix it:

Collapse this imageExpand this image
The Fix Internet Explorer issues to make IE fast, safe and stable troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.learn more
()
run now
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=260603)
Collapse this imageExpand this image


If IE is still freezing, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie9)
.
Collapse this imageExpand this image
My computer hangs or freezes when it installs updates
Collapse this imageExpand this image
If your computer hangs when it installs updates, an automatic troubleshooter is available that can diagnose and repair the problem.

Automatically diagnose and repair problems with Windows Update, by running the following Microsoft Fix it:

Collapse this imageExpand this image
The Microsoft Windows Update that is not working troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.learn more
()
run now
(http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9767096)
Collapse this imageExpand this image


If updates are still causing your computer to hang, get help from the Microsoft Community
(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_update)
.
Collapse this imageExpand this image
Can a virus make my computer hang or freeze? 
Collapse this imageExpand this image
When your computer hangs it doesn’t mean you have a virus, but viruses can cause performance issues that can make your computer to freeze or crash. To check for viruses, run the Microsoft Safety Scanner
(http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx)
.
Collapse this imageExpand this image
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More information

If your PC still hangs after you follow the steps in this article, select one of the following options for additional support:


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Properties

Article ID: 2681286 - Last Review: May 15, 2013 - Revision: 10.1
Applies to
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8 Enterprise
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Windows RT
Keywords: 
KB2681286
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