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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If your MSI Modern feels slow, first find out whether CPU, memory, or disk activity is unusually high—and what is using it. Then work through reversible checks: disconnect nonessential devices, update Windows, use the support page for your exact model, reduce unnecessary background activity, scan for malware, and check ventilation. A slowdown alone does not prove that the laptop needs an upgrade or has a hardware fault.
Start by identifying when the slowdown happens
“Slow” can mean a long startup, delays opening applications, stuttering during demanding work, or a system that remains sluggish even when little is running. The timing helps narrow down what to check first. Note when the problem began and whether it followed a Windows update, a newly installed application, a hardware change, or the connection of an external device.
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- Mostly during startup: Look for resource-heavy activity after signing in and unnecessary applications running in the background.
- Only with a particular application or task: Watch resource use while that task is running. Its workload may be using much of the available capacity.
- After sustained use: Check whether the vents have room to breathe and whether CPU or memory use is high at the same time.
- After adding a device or changing hardware: Disconnect the device or, where feasible, restore the original hardware configuration to see whether the behavior changes.
- At all times, including when idle: Check Task Manager before deciding whether the cause is software, configuration, or a component problem.
These are diagnostic prompts, not proof of a particular cause. The Modern line includes different models and configurations, and the title alone does not establish your laptop’s processor, memory, storage, Windows version, or upgrade options.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Write down the symptom in concrete terms. For example, note whether signing in takes longer, whether File Explorer pauses, whether the pointer stutters, or whether one program becomes unresponsive. Record whether a restart temporarily helps. This simple timeline can distinguish a one-time update workload from a problem that returns every day and gives support staff something more useful than “it is slow.”
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Check CPU, memory, and disk use in Task Manager
Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc while the laptop is noticeably slow. Look at the CPU, Memory, and Disk columns and identify which processes are using the most resources. If the usage changes during the slowdown, observe it for a short period rather than relying on a single glance. A process at the top of a list is a lead to investigate, not automatically a process to remove.
- Recreate the task or conditions that usually make the laptop slow, if doing so is safe.
- Open Task Manager and compare CPU, Memory, and Disk activity while the delay is occurring.
- Note the process name and whether activity falls when the task finishes or the application closes.
- If a familiar application is responsible and you do not need it at that moment, save your work and close it normally. Check whether performance improves.
- Do not end unfamiliar Windows processes or services just because they appear busy. Doing so may interrupt Windows or an application without resolving the underlying cause.
MSI identifies background programs, Windows services, virtual-memory configuration, and low hardware configuration as possible reasons for high CPU, memory, or disk use. Its older FAQ gives 4GB and 8GB of RAM as examples of low configurations; those figures are examples in that FAQ, not a current recommended minimum or a diagnosis of your Modern laptop. A high reading points to a bottleneck to investigate, but it does not by itself tell you whether an upgrade is appropriate.
Interpret the three columns together. High CPU while one application is performing a calculation suggests a processor-bound workload. High Memory accompanied by frequent pauses may mean several programs are competing for available memory. High Disk activity can come from updates, indexing, an application loading data, or a storage problem. These observations describe what is happening at that moment; they do not prove that replacing one component will fix every symptom.
Also note whether the usage remains high after you close the application that triggered it. If activity drops and the laptop responds normally, the workload may simply be demanding. If a process continues consuming resources while idle, identify the software and check for an update or a legitimate background operation before changing services or registry settings.
Try reversible checks before changing the system
Disconnect nonessential external devices
Disconnect external devices that are not needed for the test, then see whether the slowdown changes. If it does, reconnect devices one at a time and check again. This helps isolate whether the behavior is associated with a connected device; it does not establish that the laptop or device is defective.
Use a safe order: save work, eject removable storage through Windows when appropriate, shut down or disconnect the accessory, and then retest the same action. A dock, storage drive, display adapter, or other peripheral can alter drivers and power behavior, but a change in symptoms is only an association until the device and its driver are tested separately.
Install available Windows updates
Run Windows Update and allow the update process to complete. If the laptop becomes slow during updating, check Task Manager to see whether activity is being used by an update-related process before treating that temporary workload as a persistent fault. Restart when Windows requests it, then check the original symptom again.
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Do not interrupt a firmware or Windows update because the system feels busy. Keep the laptop connected to reliable power and follow the on-screen instructions. After the restart, reproduce the same task and compare it with your earlier notes. If the issue began immediately after an update, record the update date and build information for support rather than deleting system components at random.
Use MSI downloads for the exact model
Find the complete model designation shown on your laptop or in its system information, then open that model’s MSI support page for BIOS, drivers, and utilities. Do not install a BIOS or driver merely because its name belongs to another MSI Modern model: similar product names do not establish that a file is compatible. Follow MSI’s instructions for the specific download, especially for BIOS or firmware updates.
Model identification matters because the Modern family spans different processors, memory arrangements, storage interfaces, and firmware packages. Before downloading, compare the model string character by character and read the release notes or installation directions. Keep the laptop on AC power, close other programs, and avoid forcing a shutdown during a BIOS update. If the support page does not clearly match your machine, stop and contact MSI rather than guessing.
For scale, the retrieved MSI support listing for the Modern 15 F13M showed BIOS E14S1IMS.507 dated July 29, 2026, and Intel ME firmware dated September 29, 2026. These are entries for that particular model listing, not downloads or version guidance for other Modern laptops. Your model’s support page is the relevant reference.
Reduce background load and check for malware
If Task Manager points to an application you recognize, close it normally when it is not needed and see whether the laptop responds better. Avoid disabling Windows services or removing software simply because it appears in Task Manager. First establish what the item is and whether the slowdown changes when a nonessential application is closed.
Review applications that launch when you sign in, but change startup behavior cautiously. A program you do not recognize may be part of a driver or security tool. Search its publisher and installation location, update it from the legitimate vendor, or uninstall it through normal Windows settings only when you know it is unnecessary. Keep a note of each change so you can reverse it if another function stops working.
MSI also recommends scanning for malware. In Windows Security, open Virus & threat protection, then Scan options; if offered, choose Microsoft Defender Offline scan and start the scan. Windows may restart to perform it, so save work and follow the prompts. Menu names can differ across Windows versions. A scan is a useful detection and remediation step, not a guarantee that every malicious program will be found or removed.
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Let the scan finish and review its result. If malware is detected, follow Windows Security’s removal or quarantine instructions and change important passwords from a known-clean device if appropriate. If the scan is clean, continue diagnosing resource use; do not treat a clean result as proof that hardware, updates, or heat are unrelated.
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Check heat and MSI Center diagnostics
If the laptop slows during sustained work, inspect its surroundings and task load. Make sure its vents have room to breathe and are not blocked by the surface or nearby objects. At the same time, check Task Manager to see whether CPU or memory activity is high. Heat can be associated with performance degradation, but a warm laptop alone does not identify the cause.
Use the laptop on a firm surface rather than soft bedding, and do not cover intake or exhaust openings. If the slowdown appears only after a long rendering, compile, video call, or other sustained workload, allow the machine to cool and repeat the task with better clearance. Compare behavior rather than relying on how warm the case feels. If fans run loudly, the vents are obstructed, or performance repeatedly falls under load, include those observations in a service request.
On installations that support the relevant features, open MSI Center > Features > System Diagnosis. MSI describes this area as providing disk cleaning and memory release, as well as a drive-health check. Availability and feature set depend on the MSI Center version and supported installation. If it is absent, do not assume that your laptop is faulty or install a utility intended for a different model; continue with the exact model’s MSI support information.
Use disk cleaning and memory release as maintenance tools, not as a substitute for finding the process responsible for repeated high usage. Use a drive-health result as one piece of evidence. If the check reports a problem, or the slowdown coincides with persistent disk activity, avoid unnecessary troubleshooting that writes large amounts of data and make a backup before attempting recovery or service. A drive-health check does not establish that every kind of storage or performance problem has been ruled out.
Choose the next step based on what the checks show
| What you observed | Reasonable next step | What not to conclude yet |
|---|---|---|
| A known application uses substantial resources during the delay | Close it normally when it is not needed and retest the same task. | That the laptop needs more memory or a new drive. |
| The problem changes when an external device is disconnected | Reconnect devices individually to isolate the association. | That the laptop itself is defective. |
| The slowdown follows sustained work and the vents have limited clearance | Give the vents room and observe resource use during the task. | That heat is the only cause. |
| MSI Center reports a drive-health issue | Back up important files and consider MSI service or qualified repair. | That a specific replacement drive will fit or solve the problem. |
| Basic checks do not resolve the issue | Back up files, then consider MSI’s later-stage recovery guidance or customer service. | That factory recovery is risk-free or necessary before checking model-specific service options. |
When more than one path is possible, compare the intervention with the measured bottleneck. Software cleanup and updates are usually reversible and involve little or no parts cost, while component replacement adds the price of the part, possible labor, data migration, and the risk of choosing an incompatible interface. A larger drive may add capacity without correcting high CPU usage; more memory may not solve a failing drive. The least disruptive step that addresses the evidence is the sensible first choice.
Do not treat an SSD or memory upgrade as a universal fix
MSI’s older FAQ names a traditional hard disk without an SSD as one possible low-configuration scenario. That does not establish that your Modern laptop has a traditional hard disk, that an NVMe M.2 SSD is compatible, or that storage is the measured bottleneck. A replacement or upgrade makes sense only when the specific configuration and evidence support it.
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Before considering a drive change, establish the current drive type, check its health, and consult service documentation for your exact model to verify supported hardware and interface. Factor in warranty terms, the need to back up and migrate data, and whether the proposed change addresses the activity observed in Task Manager. If a program is consuming CPU or memory, replacing storage may not address that cause.
Compare a proposed drive by interface compatibility, supported form factor, capacity, health, price, and migration effort—not by the word “NVMe” alone. Confirm that the service documentation permits the work and that opening the chassis will not create a warranty issue in your region. Create and verify a backup before cloning or reinstalling Windows. A replacement drive is a conditional remedy, not a default answer for every slow Modern laptop.
Memory should be treated with the same care: the older 4GB/8GB examples do not say how much memory your model has or what it supports. Verify the installed configuration and model-specific service information before buying parts. If you cannot confirm compatibility or safely perform the work, ask MSI or a qualified repair provider.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use recovery or service only after the earlier checks
MSI places System Restore after its preceding troubleshooting steps and advises contacting customer service if the issue remains. Before using a restore or recovery option, back up important files and read the instructions for your exact Windows and MSI model. Recovery procedures can remove personal data or installed applications, so do not begin one as a casual performance tweak.
System Restore and factory recovery are not identical. A restore point may roll system files and settings back to an earlier state, while a factory process can remove applications, settings, and personal data. Confirm which option you are selecting, make a separate backup, and ensure you have the credentials or installation media that the procedure requires. If the drive is showing health errors, prioritize preserving data before attempting either option.
If the slowdown began after a hardware change, restoring the original configuration where feasible can help rule out a compatibility issue before escalating. If the laptop cannot enter Windows or is stuck in a boot loop, that is a different situation from ordinary slow performance: use MSI’s recovery guidance for boot failures rather than applying the routine checks in this article as if Windows were operating normally.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf the problem persists after the reversible checks, model-specific updates, malware scan, and appropriate diagnostics, contact MSI support or a qualified local repair provider. Describe when the slowdown occurs, what Task Manager showed, what changed recently, and any diagnostic result. That evidence is more useful than requesting a replacement part based only on the fact that the laptop feels slow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether CPU, memory, or disk usage is causing the slowdown?
Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc while the delay is happening. Watch all three columns for a short period, identify the process at the top, and see whether activity falls when the related task or application closes. A high reading is a clue, not proof that a component must be replaced.
Should I install a BIOS file from another MSI Modern model?
No. Find the complete model designation and use only that model’s MSI support page. Similar names do not establish firmware compatibility. Follow the model-specific instructions and keep the laptop on reliable power during any BIOS update.
Why is my MSI Modern slow only after I have used it for a long time?
Sustained workloads and restricted ventilation can be associated with performance degradation. Give the vents clear space, check CPU and memory activity during the task, and compare performance after the laptop cools. Heat alone does not prove the cause.
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Does MSI Center always include System Diagnosis?
No. MSI says the feature’s availability and functions depend on the MSI Center version and supported installation. Where available, System Diagnosis may offer disk cleaning, memory release, and a drive-health check. If it is missing, use the exact model’s support information instead of installing an unrelated utility.
Should I buy an NVMe M.2 SSD to fix a slow Modern laptop?
Only after confirming that storage is the measured bottleneck, identifying the current drive, checking its health, and verifying the exact model’s supported interface and form factor. Include backup, data migration, warranty, part cost, and possible labor in the decision. High CPU or memory use may require a different solution.
Is factory recovery a safe first fix for slow performance?
No. MSI places System Restore after basic troubleshooting, and recovery can remove personal data or installed applications. Back up important files, read the instructions for your exact model and Windows version, and try reversible checks first.
What should I tell MSI support if the laptop remains slow?
Provide the full model number, when the problem began, whether it follows startup or sustained use, recent updates or hardware changes, the Task Manager process and resource pattern, heat or ventilation observations, malware-scan results, and any MSI Center drive-health result. This evidence helps support distinguish software, configuration, and hardware possibilities.
The Bottom Line
Diagnose before you upgrade. Reproduce the slowdown, check CPU, memory, and disk activity, remove external variables, update Windows and the exact model’s MSI software, scan for malware, and improve ventilation. Consider a drive or memory change only when model documentation and measured evidence support it. Back up before recovery, and contact MSI or a qualified repair provider when the problem survives these checks.
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