How to Fix the Photos App Running Slow on Windows

What Causes This?

The Photos app usually runs slow when its cache gets bloated or corrupted, especially after viewing or indexing a large number of images and videos. It can also lag if your PC is low on available memory, storage space, or is busy with background apps. In some cases, an outdated Photos app or Windows component can make opening, scrolling, and editing photos feel unusually sluggish.

Common Symptoms

• Photos take a long time to open in the Photos app
• Scrolling through pictures feels delayed or stutters
• The app freezes briefly when switching between images
• Editing tools load slowly or stop responding
• The Photos app uses high CPU or memory in Task Manager

How to Fix It Manually

1. Close the Photos app and restart your PC

   • Save any work and close the Photos app completely.
   • Restart your computer to clear temporary memory issues and background processes that may be slowing it down.
   • After restarting, open Photos again and test it.

2. Repair or reset the Photos app

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to Apps > Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft Photos in the list, click the three dots, then select Advanced options.
   • First click Repair and wait for Windows to finish.
   • If the app is still slow, return to the same screen and click Reset.
   • Note: Resetting may clear app data and preferences, but it will not delete your photos.

3. Clear system clutter and free up storage

   • Press Windows + I and go to System > Storage.
   • Open Temporary files.
   • Check items you want to remove, such as temporary files, thumbnails, and recycle bin contents.
   • Click Remove files.
   • If your drive is nearly full, Photos can slow down when loading image previews and cache data.

4. Check for background apps using too many resources

   • Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
   • On the Processes tab, look for apps using high CPU, Memory, or Disk.
   • Close apps you do not need by selecting them and clicking End task.
   • Be careful not to close important Windows processes.

5. Update the Photos app and Windows

   • Open the Microsoft Store.
   • Click Library in the lower-left corner, then click Get updates.
   • Install any update for Microsoft Photos.
   • Then go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
   • Install available updates and restart your PC if prompted.

6. Rebuild thumbnail cache if image previews are slow

   • Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   • Select your system drive, usually C:, then click OK.
   • Check Thumbnails and click OK > Delete Files.
   • Windows will rebuild the thumbnail cache automatically, which can fix slow preview loading in Photos.

7. Try reducing the number of folders Photos indexes

   • Open the Photos app.
   • Go to Settings inside the app.
   • Review the folders connected to your library.
   • Remove large folders you do not need Photos to scan constantly, especially folders with many videos or archived images.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

If you do not want to track down cache problems, storage clutter, and background slowdowns one by one, Kudu can do it for you automatically. Kudu scans for temporary files, performance issues, and system clutter that commonly make apps like Photos run slowly, then helps clean them up safely.

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