Windows 11 Running Slow? 12 Fixes That Actually Work

1. Disable Startup Apps

Too many programs launching at boot is the #1 reason for a sluggish PC. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click the Startup apps tab, and disable anything you don't need immediately — Spotify, Discord, OneDrive, Adobe updaters, and manufacturer bloatware are common offenders. Sort by "Startup impact" and disable anything rated "High" that isn't essential.

2. Clean Temporary Files

Go to Settings → System → Storage and click Temporary files. Check all boxes (except "Downloads" if you want to keep those) and click Remove files. You can also enable Storage Sense to automatically clean temp files on a schedule. This alone can reclaim 5–20 GB on a typical machine.

3. Disable Visual Effects & Transparency

Windows 11's animations and transparency effects look nice but tax older hardware. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Visual effects and turn off Transparency effects and Animation effects. For more control, search "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" and select Adjust for best performance.

4. Run Windows Update

Outdated drivers and missing patches cause slowdowns. Go to Settings → Windows Update and install all pending updates. Click Advanced options → Optional updates to grab driver updates too. Restart after installing.

5. Scan for Malware

Crypto miners, adware, and background trojans consume CPU and RAM silently. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options and run a Full scan. For a second opinion, download and run Malwarebytes — the free version catches things Defender misses.

6. Run Disk Cleanup (Advanced)

Search for Disk Cleanup, select your C: drive, then click Clean up system files. Check "Windows Update Cleanup," "Previous Windows installations," and "Delivery Optimization Files." This can free up 10+ GB of space Windows hoards quietly.

7. Disable Background Apps

Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps. Click the three dots next to each app and select Advanced options. Under "Background app permissions," set non-essential apps to Never. Focus on apps like Cortana, News, Weather, and Xbox Game Bar if you don't use them.

8. Uninstall Bloatware

Many PCs ship with trialware that runs in the background. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps and sort by install date. Uninstall anything from McAfee, Norton trials, manufacturer utilities (HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage extras), and games you never play.

9. Check Your Power Plan

Laptops often default to "Balanced" or "Power saver." Search Power plan in Settings and switch to Best performance. On desktops, open Control Panel → Power Options and select High performance (you may need to click "Show additional plans").

10. Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted system files cause mysterious slowdowns. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
If it finds issues, follow up with:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart after both complete.

11. Upgrade to an SSD

If your PC still has a mechanical hard drive (HDD), upgrading to an SSD is the single biggest performance boost you can make — boot times drop from 2+ minutes to under 15 seconds. A 500 GB SATA SSD costs under $40 and a 1 TB NVMe drive is under $70. Clone your existing drive with free software like Macrium Reflect or do a clean install.

Browse NVMe SSDs on Amazon →

12. Add More RAM

Open Task Manager and check the Performance → Memory tab. If usage is consistently above 80% during normal work, you need more RAM. Windows 11 wants 8 GB minimum — 16 GB is ideal for most users. Check your laptop's model for compatible RAM sticks; many modern laptops support user-upgradeable SO-DIMM slots.

Shop Laptop RAM on Amazon →

🆘 Need Professional Help?

If your PC is still slow after trying everything above, there could be a deeper hardware or software issue. Let our technicians diagnose it.