If your computer takes ages to boot, freezes when you open a browser tab, or makes you wait every time you click, you are not alone. The good news is that you can speed up Windows 11 without being a technician and, in most cases, without spending any money. This guide walks you through 15 proven fixes, starting with the quickest wins and ending with the upgrades that make the biggest difference on older machines.
Work through the list in order. After each step, restart your PC and check whether things feel faster. Many people find that the first five fixes alone solve the problem.
Why Windows 11 Gets Slow Over Time
Before fixing anything, it helps to understand what usually causes a slowdown. Windows 11 is not designed to get slower with age, but everyday use piles up small problems:
- Too many startup programs that launch in the background every time you switch on.
- A nearly full drive, which leaves Windows little room for temporary files and updates.
- Outdated drivers or pending updates that cause glitches and wasted resources.
- Browser overload: dozens of tabs and extensions quietly consuming memory.
- Malware or unwanted software running without your knowledge.
- Hardware limits, especially an old hard disk drive (HDD) or only 4 GB of RAM.
Most of these are easy to fix yourself. Let's start.
Quick Fixes to Speed Up Windows 11 Today
1. Restart your PC properly
It sounds obvious, but many laptops are only ever put to sleep. A full restart clears memory, closes stuck processes and finishes installing updates. Click Start → Power → Restart at least once every few days.
2. Turn off unnecessary startup apps
Startup apps are the number one cause of slow boot times. Open Settings → Apps → Startup and switch off anything you don't need the moment Windows loads: game launchers, chat apps, music players and "updaters". Keep your antivirus and any hardware utilities (such as touchpad or audio software) switched on.
3. Free up disk space
Windows needs free space to run smoothly. Aim to keep at least 15–20% of your main drive empty.
- Go to Settings → System → Storage.
- Click Temporary files and remove items such as Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization files and the Recycle Bin.
- Turn on Storage Sense so Windows cleans temporary files automatically.
Move large photos and videos to an external drive or a cloud service. Our guide to cloud storage options explains the choices.
4. Uninstall programs you no longer use
Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, sort by size, and remove software you haven't used in months. Many PCs come with trial software ("bloatware") that runs background tasks — removing it frees memory and storage.
5. Close heavy browser tabs and extensions
Modern browsers are often the biggest memory users on a PC. Close tabs you aren't using, remove extensions you don't recognise, and turn on memory-saving features (Edge has Sleeping tabs; Chrome has Memory Saver).
System Settings That Make Windows 11 Faster
6. Choose the best performance power mode
On laptops especially, Windows may limit speed to save battery. Open Settings → System → Power & battery and set Power mode to Best performance when you're plugged in.
7. Reduce visual effects
Animations and transparency look nice but cost resources on older hardware. Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows", choose Adjust for best performance, then re-tick Smooth edges of screen fonts so text still looks sharp. You can also turn off Transparency effects under Settings → Personalization → Colors.
8. Pause or limit background apps
Some apps keep running even when closed. In Settings → Apps → Installed apps, click the three dots next to an app, choose Advanced options, and set Background app permissions to Never for apps that don't need to notify you.
9. Turn off search indexing on slow drives
Search indexing helps you find files quickly but can slow down PCs with a hard disk drive. Under Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows, switch to Classic mode or exclude large folders you rarely search.
Keep Windows 11 Healthy
10. Install Windows and driver updates
Updates fix bugs that can cause slowdowns. Go to Settings → Windows Update and install everything available, including Optional updates → Driver updates. For graphics cards, download drivers directly from the manufacturer (Intel, AMD or NVIDIA).
11. Scan for malware
Malware often runs silently and eats resources. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection and run a Full scan. If you suspect something serious, run the Microsoft Defender Offline scan, which checks your PC before Windows fully loads. Read more about staying safe in our cybersecurity guides.
12. Check your drive's health
Right-click your main drive in File Explorer, choose Properties → Tools → Check. For SSDs, Windows automatically runs Optimize, but you can confirm it under Defragment and Optimize Drives. Never defragment an SSD manually with third-party tools.
13. Repair corrupted system files
If Windows behaves strangely, open Terminal (Admin) and run:
sfc /scannow
When it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and restart. These built-in tools repair damaged system files that can cause lag and crashes.
Hardware Upgrades That Speed Up Windows 11 the Most
If your PC is still slow after all of the above, the limitation is probably hardware. Two affordable upgrades make a dramatic difference.
14. Replace a hard disk with an SSD
This is the single biggest speed boost for an older computer. A solid-state drive (SSD) can make boot times drop from minutes to seconds and apps open almost instantly. Check whether your laptop uses a 2.5-inch SATA or an M.2 slot before buying, and use the manufacturer's cloning tool to copy your existing system across.
15. Add more RAM
Windows 11 runs on 4 GB of RAM, but 8 GB is the realistic minimum for smooth multitasking and 16 GB is comfortable for heavy browser use, photo editing or light gaming. Open Task Manager → Performance → Memory to see how many slots you have and how much memory you use. If you regularly go above 80%, more RAM will help.
When to Consider a Reset
If nothing works, Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC reinstalls Windows while letting you keep your personal files. Back up everything first — our guide on how to back up your computer shows you how. A reset removes years of accumulated clutter and often makes an old PC feel new.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM do I need for Windows 11?
8 GB is the practical minimum for everyday use. Choose 16 GB if you keep many browser tabs open, edit photos or play games.
Does a factory reset speed up Windows 11?
Usually, yes. A reset removes unwanted software and settings that build up over time. It won't fix hardware limits such as a slow hard disk.
Is it safe to turn off startup apps?
Yes. Disabling a startup app only stops it launching automatically; you can still open it normally. Avoid disabling security software and hardware drivers.
Why is my new laptop slow?
New laptops often ship with trial software and pending updates. Install all updates, remove bloatware, and set the power mode to Best performance when plugged in.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to buy a new computer to fix most slowdowns. Start with startup apps, storage and your browser, then keep Windows and drivers updated. If your PC still struggles, an SSD and extra RAM are the most cost-effective upgrades you can make. For more practical guides, explore our Tech section.
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