Laptop SUDDENLY runs extremely slow

[Rod_Neep]

I have owned my HP laptop for just over a year (14s-dq1508sa). Running Windows 11.

It has performed perfectly until two days ago. SUDDENLY it has become ridiculously slow doing EVERYTHING.

Start up takes 3 to 5 minutes. All software runs extremely slowly. On shut down a window briefly appears "Windows cannot close - Form1 App is running". That window closes after 1 second and the system shuts down.

Symptoms also feel as if programs are running more than once at the same time, although I can't find any actual evidence for that in task manager.. In fact sometimes typing into an online form displays what I have typed *twice*.

Edit: Strangely... when I first tried to post this message it was blocked because it contained invalid HTML. I did NOT include any HTML. I accepted the forum's notice to remove that HTML and then the message posted.

I have run several different virus scanners for malware etc. All negative.

I have checked the task manager for both running programs and startup and nothing seems amiss.

I have run the HP Performance Tuneup and Hardware Check

I have run Restoro with the full check. (Registry repair, etc.)

I have deleted all temporary files and cookies etc.

 I started to suspect faulty RAM. I have run a "Windows Memory Diagnostic", That came up with “No memory errors were detected”.

I am extremely suspicious about the "Form1" app which is running at shutdown. Web searches suggest that it is an old malware, but it is not detected by McAfee, Spyhunter or Exterminate-It.

Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Peacekeeper]

Try McAfee's malware scanner

McAfee KB - McAfee Malware Cleaner: What is it? (TS102903)

I would also try malwarebytes but ensure you disable the real time scanning component as it may clash with Mcafee if both scan at the same time.

www.malwarebytes.org

[xin8068844519]

You can try to clear the temp files manually. It includes both Temp files and prefetch files. After that de fragment your disk and your system speed will definately improve.