Your Windows 11 PC used to start in seconds. Now apps take forever to open, the fan never stops and File Explorer freezes. Before you buy a new laptop, work through these fixes. Most take a few minutes, and together they solve the majority of "slow PC" complaints.
They're in order: quick checks first, then deeper fixes, then hardware upgrades that make the biggest difference.
1. Restart properly
Shutting down a laptop with Fast Startup enabled doesn't fully clear memory. Use Start > Power > Restart at least once a week. It closes stuck background processes and finishes pending updates.
2. Find what's using your PC in Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and sort the Processes tab by CPU, Memory and Disk. If one app is constantly near the top (a browser with 40 tabs, a game launcher, a sync tool), close it or change its settings. Disk at 100% for long periods often points to an old hard drive (see fix 11).
3. Turn off startup apps you don't need
Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off anything you don't need the moment Windows starts: game launchers, updaters, chat apps and "helper" tools. Keep your antivirus and touchpad or audio drivers on. This alone can cut boot time dramatically.
4. Make sure your Windows version still gets updates
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. As of October 2026:
- Windows 11 version 24H2 (Home and Pro) stopped receiving security updates on October 13, 2026.
- Version 25H2 is supported until October 2027, and 26H2 started rolling out at the end of September 2026.
Go to Settings > Windows Update, install everything offered, and turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they're available to receive the newest version sooner. Updates also include driver and performance fixes. If an update keeps failing, follow our Windows support guide and the fixes in our Windows Update troubleshooting article.
5. Free up storage space
Windows slows down when the C: drive is nearly full. Aim to keep at least 15–20% free.
- Open Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense.
- Use Cleanup recommendations to delete temporary files, old downloads and unused apps.
- Move large videos and photos to an external drive or cloud storage.
6. Switch the power mode
Go to Settings > System > Power & battery and set Power mode to Best performance while plugged in. "Best power efficiency" deliberately slows the processor to save battery. Many laptops also have a performance mode in the manufacturer's app (Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, HP, Dell).
7. Reduce visual effects
On older or low-memory PCs, animations and transparency use resources. Open Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and turn off Animation effects and Transparency effects. For more control, search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" and choose Adjust for best performance.
8. Remove bloatware and unused apps
New laptops often ship with trial antivirus, games and promotional apps. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall what you don't use. Running two antivirus programs at once is a common cause of slowness. Windows Security is enough for most home users.
9. Scan for malware
Hidden crypto-miners and adware can max out your CPU. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options and run a Full scan. If you suspect something nasty, run the Microsoft Defender Offline scan, which restarts the PC and scans before Windows loads. Also check your browser for unknown extensions.
10. Repair Windows system files
Corrupted system files cause freezes and crashes. Right-click Start, open Terminal (Admin) and run these commands one at a time:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannowRestart when both finish.
11. Upgrade to an SSD (the biggest single boost)
If Task Manager's Performance tab shows your C: drive as HDD, replacing it with an SSD is the most effective upgrade you can make. Boot time can drop from a couple of minutes to under 20 seconds. A 512 GB SATA or NVMe SSD is affordable, and most repair shops can clone your existing drive so nothing is lost.
12. Add more RAM
Check Task Manager > Performance > Memory. If you regularly use more than 80% of it, more RAM will help. Windows 11 runs on 4 GB, but 8 GB is the practical minimum and 16 GB is comfortable for browsing, Office and video calls together. Many thin laptops have RAM soldered to the board, so check your model's specifications first.
Last resort: Reset this PC
If nothing helps, back up your files and go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows and remove apps, or Remove everything for a completely fresh start. If your drive is encrypted, have your BitLocker recovery key ready first.
FAQ
Why is my new Windows 11 laptop slow?
Usually pre-installed apps, updates installing in the background during the first days, or a low-cost model with 8 GB of RAM or less and slow eMMC storage. Let updates finish, remove bloatware and check the power mode.
Do PC cleaner and "RAM booster" apps help?
Rarely. Windows' own Storage Sense and Task Manager do the same job safely. Many free "optimizer" apps show scary warnings to sell subscriptions or bundle adware.
Will these fixes delete my files?
No, except "Reset this PC > Remove everything." Still, back up important files before making big changes.
Lenovo user? Our Lenovo Vantage guide shows how to update drivers and BIOS safely.
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