[Solved] Why Microsoft Word Runs Slowly & So Laggy?

Consider this scenario. You’re in a hurry to open a Word document. Your meeting is about to start and you need the Word document immediately. You click on the file and nothing happens. You click on it again and still, nothing happens. You click and you click. Still, nothing happens. Finally, it opens and it’s slow. You want to scream, "why is Microsoft Word so slow?"

Of course, you can’t cry out loud because you’re going to look like a fool in front of your boss and colleagues. You just have to stay cool. Still, you wonder: why the Word app runs slowly and so laggy on Mac or Windows computers? Here're tips to solve this problem.

Contents: Part 1. Why is Microsoft Word so Slow?Part 2. How to Speed up Microsoft Word if it Runs Slow & Laggy?Part 3. Conclusion

Part 1. Why is Microsoft Word so Slow?

There are a lot of reasons why is Microsoft Word so slow. One of the most common reasons is points to your computer. It could be that your computer is filled up with so many files that it’s not performing well anymore, or there are so many apps and cause issues like "not enough application memory" on Mac/Windows PC.

Another reason is that there are settings that need to be adjusted to help speed up your computer. In case you’re wondering or even worrying about why is Microsoft Word so slow, don’t worry. You can do something about it. Whether you’re using a Mac or not for your Microsoft Word, you can get it to run pretty fast. Just read on to learn how you can go about it.

Part 2. How to Speed up Microsoft Word if it Runs Slow & Laggy?

It’s mind-boggling to have Microsoft Word open slowly. It’s such a hassle if it happens to you. Fortunately, there are options for you as to how to go about it. Even if you’re using a Mac for your Microsoft Word, there is an option that can work for you.

#1. Optimize Mac Performance to Speed Up Microsoft Word

The PowerMyMac is the perfect tool that can help you speed up your Mac and in turn, speed up your Microsoft Word as well. This is one tool that’s packed with powerful features that can help boost the performance of your Mac.

The Word app from Office will create many temporary files and cache, which may build up and make Microsoft Word runs so slow.

Read on to learn how you can speed up your Microsoft Word on Mac by uisng the PowerMyMac to delete all Word's log files, caches, or temporary files, and to optimize all documents for Mac's storage.

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1. Download the PowerMyMac for free.
2. Launch this Mac optimizer and you can see your Mac's RAM, CPU, etc
3. Click on the Junk Cleaner module which can clean up the files that are slowing down your Mac.
4. Let PowerMyMac scan all the junk files on your Mac, After scanning, you can type "word" and find all the caches of Microsoft Word on your Mac.
5. Choose all the Office temp files, and click on the CLEAN button to clean out those files. That should speed up your Word for Mac.

You’ve probably noticed the Free Download of PowerMyMac and you’re wondering if it’s safe to try. The answer to that is a big YES! When you download the PowerMyMac as a free version, you won’t be getting any other apps like anti-virus or another search browser.

All you’ll be getting are the powerful features of the mac cleaner. That means you can immediately experience the powerful boost to your Mac’s performance.

#2. Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Word

And if you feel Microsoft Word is too slow to remove, you can also use PowerMyMac's App Uninstaller to help you delete Microsoft Word completely.

Delete and reinstall Microsoft apps is also a good way to speed up Word. Remember to prepare your Microsoft Office product key to complete the re-installation process of Microsoft Word.

#3. Install the Latest Updates of MS Word

If your Microsoft Word is an outdated version, it will also run slowly or be laggy. So you can keep Microsoft Word updated, whether on your Mac or PC Windows computers.

1. You can directly search updates in your Mac's App Store or in Windows Updates.
2. Or you can open the Microsoft Word app, from the menu click Help and then select Check for updates.
3. Install all the updates.
4. Restart the computer if needed.

#4. Update Your Mac or Windows OS Version

Ensure your device's OS is getting automatic security updates to make sure that the MS Word can work properly.

For example, if you are using a Mac, you can install the latest macOS:

1. Open Apple menu
2. Select "System Preferences…"
3. Click on the "Software Update" option
4. Check if any update is available and install the latest macOS version

#5. Turn off Animations & Other Shadow Effects

You can also adjust some effects to speed the Microsoft Word.

For example, if you are using a PC computer:

1. Type performance in the search box.
2. Select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
3. Click on the box beside Adjust for best performance.
4. Click on Apply on the bottom part of the pop-up window.
5. Select OK.
6. Restart.

#6. Change the Settings of Microsoft Word App

1. Open the Microsoft Word Application. You can either open up a blank Word document or an existing one.
2. Go to the menu bar on the top left of the screen. Click on File.
3. Click on Option on the left panel. That will pull out the Word Options window.
4. Select and click on Advanced from the left-hand side of the screen.
5. Scroll down on the right-hand side of the screen until you get to the General part.
6. Uncheck the box beside Update automatic links at open.
7. Go back to the left side of the screen and click on Trust Center.
8. Take your cursor to the far right-hand of the screen and click on Trust Center Settings.
9. Click on Macro Settings on the left-hand side of the screen. Choose Disable all macros without notification. This does not create any security risk and it also shouldn’t be a big deal especially if you don’t use macros.

Be careful with tips that tell you to change the setting in the Protected View. If you choose to disable all the settings in the Protected view, then that could endanger your security. Although disabling the settings in the Protected View can solve the issue of why is Microsoft Word so slow, you have to avoid it by all means. Hence, make sure to keep them enabled for your protection. There’s a reason why the settings in the Protected View should be enabled.

10. Click on the OK button.
11. Restart the Microsoft Word application.

Part 3. Conclusion

The next time you struggle with a slow Microsoft Word, you can try out the options stated above. It’s inevitable for your Microsoft Word to slow down. Hence, this is the reason why you need to keep your computer in tip-top shape. We recommend using a Mac cleaner like PowerMyMac to optimize the computer's preference when Microsoft Word running slowly or lagging.

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How do you deal with a slow Microsoft Word? Has it ever happened to you? Share with us your experience with a slow Microsoft Word.