Is Windows Server Slow? How to Speed up Windows Server?

Windows Server 2022 was released by Microsoft in September 2021 with advanced performance. However, after using it for a period, some users feel that the performance of Windows Server 2022 does not meet expectations or performs slowly. This issue is not only on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, 2016, and 2012 also meets it.

You may experience one or more of the following symptoms when you use Windows Server:

• A Windows-based file server configured as a file and print server stops responding, and file and print server functionality is temporarily stopped.
• You experience unexpected long delays when you open, save, close, delete, or print files located on shared resources.
• When using the program over the network, you may experience a temporary decrease in performance. Performance typically decreases by approximately 40 to 45 seconds. However, some delays may last up to 5 minutes.
• You experience delays when performing file copy or backup operations.
• …

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• How to Fix the “Windows Server Backup Service Missing” Issue?
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Why Is Windows Server Slow?

The reasons for the “Windows Server 2022 slow” issue are various. Listed below are the most common reasons that may cause Windows Server to slow down.

1. Low-power performance slows down the server and reduces the processor clock speed.
2. Excessive use of RAM.
3. Running multiple large programs simultaneously can slow down your server and cause high CPU utilization.
4. When surfing the Internet, high network utilization may slow down Windows Server.
5. Multiple junk files occupy the hard disk’s space.
6. Infected by viruses or malware.
7. Insufficient disk space.

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How to Fix Windows Server Slow

Before starting the below troubleshooting, you had better check for your Internet connection such as network interface card and DNS.

Fix 1: Switch to High-Performance Power

A server’s power plan dynamically adjusts the processor’s clock speed to meet the server’s needs at any given time. When load changes, performance degradation and delays can occur as the server adjusts. Thus, you can switch to high-performance power to speed up Windows Server 2022.

1. Type control panel in the Search box to open it.

2. Click the Hardware and Sound part and click the Power Options link.

3. Check the High performance button.

Also see:

• Windows 11 High Performance Power Plan Missing? Here Are Fixes!
• How to Turn on/off Ultimate Performance Plan in Windows 11

Fix 2: Disable DOS 8.3 Short File Names

The DOS 8.3 format, also known as short file names, supports up to eight characters for file names and a three-character extension, such as regedit.exe. DOS 8.3 short filenames were a common form in previous Windows versions. If you don’t need support for old devices or short filenames, you can disable it to improve Windows Server 2019 slow performance.

1. Type Command Prompt in the Search box and choose Run as administrator.

2.Type fsutil 8dot3name query C and press Enter. You can replace C with other drive letters.

3. Then, it will tell you whether DOS 8.3 is being used.

4. If it’s enabled, and you have confirmed that you don’t need it, you can disable it by typing fsutil 8dot3name set C: 1.

Fix 3: Close Unnecessary Background Programs

How to speed up Windows Server? No matter how large your RAM storage is, there is a limit to the number of programs you can keep open. When a program starts running, it consumes a certain amount of storage space to run efficiently. RAM provides this storage space.

Therefore, the possibility of service slowdowns and sudden computer freezes is common when you try to run multiple programs that exceed the level of RAM storage capacity. Therefore, close unnecessary programs before launching the next one.

1. Type Task Manager in the Search box to open it.

2. Go to the Processes tab and check the CPU and memory.

3. Then, click the app that has a high CPU or memory to choose End task.

Fix 4: Scan for Virus

Having an updated antivirus program is essential for most computers and servers. After installing antivirus software, make sure you run it regularly to reduce attacks from external virus and malware. Here is how to speed up Windows Server via scaaning for virus.

1. Go to Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys together.

2. Go to Update & Security > Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

3. In the Current threats section, click Quick Scan.

Fix 5: Update the Drivers

You may also consider updating the drivers for the hardware in your computer. Driver updates are often ignored until they cause a problem, but it can be difficult to determine when a problem is caused by a driver problem. The most relevant driver to update is usually the network card driver.

Maybe you are interested in this post: How Do Outdated Device Drivers Affect Performance? See the Guide.

1. Right-click the Start menu to choose Device Manager.

2. Go to the required device, for example, if you want to update the network card driver, right-click the card from Network adapters and choose Update driver.

3. Choose an update option – Search automatically for drivers or Browse my computer for drivers.

Fix 6: Disable SMB Packet Signing

Server Message Block packet signing is a security measure used in Windows Server. Every packet of information passed between the server and the user is digitally signed to verify its authenticity. This helps prevent malicious users or devices from inserting themselves in the middle to scrape data or otherwise alter messages.

Unfortunately, in some cases, SMB packet signing can slow down your server, especially when transferring large files. To fix the “Windows Server slow” issue, you can disable SMB packet signing.

1. Press the Windows +R to open the Run window. Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter key.

2. Go to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options

3. Find and double-click Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications (always).

4.Then, choose Disabled and click OK.

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Fix 7: Run SFC and DISM

Windows Server may experience problems if system files or other infrequently accessed files become corrupted, causing certain processes to error or time out. Sometimes this results in a hard lock or system crash. Thus, you can run SFC and DISM to find and fix the system issues.

1. Type cmd in the Search box, and then right-click the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.

2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This process may take you much time to scan, please wait patiently.

3. If the SFC scan doesn’t work, you can try running the command below in the elevated Command Prompt window.

• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once done, reboot your PC and check if the issue gets fixed.

Fix 8: Check Hardware Faults

When you find a problem using a system file check tool, it means your driver has stopped working or is on the verge of stopping. When this happens, you need to check whether the server hardware is faulty, including various external devices connected to the server. If a hardware failure is found, please shut down the computer in time for maintenance and replace the hardware.

Fix 9: Defragment Your Disk Regularly

A regular hard drive defrag is a good tip for the “Windows Server 2022 slow” issue. Over time, files on your HDD may get fragmented, which causes the disk to work slower and harder. This is because new data stored in fragments can bring massive movement of the read head and increase the disk spin speed, leading to a slowdown.

Defragment can help rearrange the files on the disk to let them store in a contiguous manner to optimize disk performance. Now, let’s see how to defragment your HDD:

1. Go to File Explorer and right-click a drive, then choose Properties.

2. Under the Tools tab, click Optimize from the Optimize and defragment drive section.

3. Choose the drive you want to defragment and click Optimize.

Fix 10: Migrate Windows Server OS to SSD

How to fix Windows Server 2022 slow? If you are using HDD on your PC, you can now move your Windows server operating system to SSD, which are faster and more efficient than other forms.

MiniTool ShadowMaker, the dedicated free backup software, is developed to create an image backup. Besides, it has another important feature called Clone Disk, enabling you to copy all data from one disk to another disk for disk upgrade or hard drive replacement in Windows Server and Windows 11/10/8/7.

Whether you want to perform the sector by sector cloning or clone SSD to larger SSD, this tool can satisfy your demands.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

1. Connect the SSD to your PC. Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker, and click Keep Trial to continue to use the Trial edition.

2. After entering the main interface, navigate to the Tools tab. Then choose the Clone Disk feature to continue.

3. Click the Options button at the bottom. Under the New disk ID tab, select Same disk ID or New disk ID. Under the Disk clone mode tab, select Used sector clone or Sector by sector clone.

4. Next, you can choose the source disk and the target disk for cloning. Then, click Start to continue.

5. Then you will receive a warning message that tells you all data on the target disk will be destroyed during the disk cloning process. Then click OK to continue.

6. Then it will begin to clone the system to SSD and you need to wait several minutes until the process is finished.

7. You need to wait patiently. If you choose the Same disk ID option, you will receive a message that tells you that the source disk and the target disk have the same signature. Thus, you need to remove the old hard from your computer and insert the new SSD into the PC.

MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Final Words

If you are troubled by the slow performance of Windows Server 2022 and don’t know what to do, please carefully read the 10 methods provided in this article and try them one by one if possible to find the most available one to restore your server to like new.