Fixing Lag on PC Windows 11
Let’s be honest — dealing with lag on a Windows 11 PC can sometimes feel like trying to fix a car with a spoon. Usually, it’s about cleaning out the clutter, managing what’s running in the background, and making sure everything’s up to date. Sounds a bit much at first, but honestly, these tips are pretty straightforward and can give your machine a nice little boost. Here’s a quick run-down of some tricks that’ve worked for others down under.
Check for Windows Updates
First up, Windows 11 loves to push out updates — and these aren’t just for show. Think of updates like a service here — you don’t want to skip them. Open Settings > Windows Update, or just hit Windows + I for a quick jump. Click “Check for updates” and let it do its thing.
If any updates pop up, get them installed. Sometimes, it’ll ask you to restart — make sure you save everything before you do. Don’t forget to have a look at optional updates too — they often include driver updates for graphics or performance stuff, which can help heaps. Usually, updates work smoothly the first time, but sometimes they can be a bit stubborn — just give it a few goes.
Optimize Startup Programs
Next, let’s sort out those programs that launch when your PC starts up. Too many apps trying to load at once can really slow things down. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, then go to the Startup tab. You’ll see what’s slowing down your boot. If you see anything dodgy or unnecessary, click Disable.
Another way is to head to Settings > Apps > Startup. Or, right-click on those icons in the system tray and choose to close or disable them at startup. Just steer clear of turning off your antivirus — wouldn’t want any surprises there.
Clean Up Unnecessary Files
Your PC gathers a fair bit of junk over time — temp files, cache, and all that. It’s like a digital cluttered garage that needs a tidy-up. Windows has a built-in Disk Cleanup tool, but you might need to hunt for it a bit. Type Disk Cleanup into the search bar, select the app, and choose your drive (probably C:).
If you’re feeling a bit tech-savvy, you can launch PowerShell as an admin with Windows + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin). Then run:
cleanmgr /sagerun:1In Disk Cleanup, tick the boxes for temporary files and system files you want gone, then hit OK. It’ll clear out the clutter, giving your system a bit more room to breathe.
Adjust Visual Effects
Ever notice all those fancy graphics in Windows 11, like window fades and shadows? Looks nice but can slow things down on older gear. If you want better performance, especially on the older machines, try dialing it back. Head to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings. Or right-click This PC, pick Properties, then go to the Advanced tab and click Performance > Settings.
Here, you can select Adjust for best performance, or choose Custom to turn off specific effects like shadows under windows and animations. If you like shortcuts, press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, hit Enter — and you’re there in a jiffy.
Scan for Malware
Last but not least, it’s a good idea to check for malware. These sneaky pests can slow down your PC big time. Windows Security’s got your back. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection and run a quick “Quick Scan.”
If it flags anything dodgy, follow the prompts to sort it out. For peace of mind, a full scan or tools like Malwarebytes or Microsoft Safety Scanner are worth considering. And don’t forget to have real-time protection turned on so it’s always watching your back.
After you’ve gone through all this, you should notice a fair bit of a boost — apps load quicker, multitasking feels smoother, and lag spikes are fewer. To keep things running sweet, consider scheduling regular cleanups and scans with Task Scheduler. Just a friendly reminder: don’t let your digital shed get too cluttered again!