Getting Windows 11 to run a bit nippier doesn’t mean tearing everything apart. Sometimes, a couple of simple tweaks and a bit of digital tidying up does the trick. Ever notice how your PC gets sluggish after installing a bunch of programs, or takes forever to start up? That’s pretty normal. These steps are based on real-world fixes that actually work—no magic, just good old system clean-up and tweaks. Expect quicker boot-ups, faster app launches, and a smoother overall ride after giving these tips a go.
How to Speed Up Your PC on Windows 11
Manage programs that launch at startup to improve boot time
This one’s a classic. When too many apps fire up automatically, they gobble up resources right after you turn your PC on. Hit Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc — or right-click the Start button and choose Task Manager if that’s easier. Go to the Startup tab. You’ll see a list of programs and how much they impact your startup speed. Disable anything you don’t need straight away. Sometimes, this alone can cut your boot time noticeably. It’s not foolproof—disable something important, and it might cause issues, but generally, it makes things a lot quicker.
Clear out disk space and get rid of junk files
Over time, your drive fills up with temp files, leftover logs, and old update files. These can slow things down, especially if your drive’s nearly full. Hit Start, type Disk Cleanup, and open the tool. Pick your main drive (usually C:), then select what you want gone—temp files, system cache, recycle bin stuff, etc. For a deeper clean, try Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage, which can automatically tidy up at set intervals. Doing this regularly helps keep your PC running smoothly and free of clutter.
Adjust visual effects to give your system a boost
Windows 11 looks fancy, but all those animations and effects can slow down older or lower-end hardware. Search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows”, click the Performance Options window, and pick Adjust for best performance. It’ll turn off most of the eye candy. You might miss some slick animations, but your PC will feel quicker, especially with demanding apps. Sometimes, just turning off transparency effects (go to Settings > Personalisation > Colours and switch off Transparency effects) makes a decent difference too.
Keep Windows and drivers up to date
Updates aren’t just about security—they often include performance fixes. Jump into Settings > Windows Update and check for the latest. Also, open Device Manager (right-click Start, then choose Device Manager) and update your graphics, chipset, and network drivers. Outdated drivers can cause slowdowns and instability. After updating, a quick reboot usually sorts things out and makes everything run smoother.
Switch to the High Performance power plan
This one’s a no-brainer. Head to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options and select High Performance. It gives your CPU more breathing space, which helps when you’re hammering the system with heavy tasks. Be aware, though, it can drain the battery quicker on laptops—so switch back to Balanced when you’re unplugged. For desktops or when you need that extra punch, it can make your system respond a lot better. Honestly, Windows hides this option for some reason, but it’s worth digging into the power settings for a speed boost.
Other handy tips to squeeze more speed
- Defrag your HDD if you’re still running a traditional spinning drive—type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in Start.
- Uninstall apps you no longer use to free up resources and disk space.
- If your PC can handle it, adding more RAM makes a huge difference—don’t forget hardware upgrades!
- Switch to an SSD if you’re still on an old-school HDD; it’s a game-changer for load times.
- Close tabs you’re not actively using, especially if you’ve got heaps open—memory gets chewed up quick.
Common questions you might have
How can I find out what’s slowing my PC down?
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check which processes are gobbling CPU, RAM, or disk. Sometimes, a background app or a rogue process is the culprit. You can right-click the column headers to add more info if needed.
Will hardware upgrades help my PC run better?
Definitely. More RAM, upgrading to an SSD, or even a better graphics card can do wonders. It might seem like a hassle, but it often breathes new life into an ageing machine.
How often should I give my disk a tidy-up?
Once a month is a good shout. Regular cleaning stops files from piling up and causing slowdowns or errors.
Does having too many programs open slow things down?
Yeah, no kidding. If your system’s already maxed out on CPU or RAM, opening more apps just makes everything crawl.
Can antivirus programs slow down my PC?
Some can, especially during scans. Pick a lightweight one or schedule scans when you’re not using the system heavily. Being safe is worth a bit of a slowdown now and then.
Quick Recap
- Turn off unnecessary startup apps.
- Keep your drive tidy—delete what’s not needed.
- Turn off fancy visual effects for a snappier feel.
- Keep Windows and drivers up to date.
- Use the high performance power plan when you need the speed.
The Wrap-up
Honestly, most Windows 11 speed issues come down to some basic maintenance and simple tweaks. Nothing too wild, but it really makes a difference. Little things like disabling startups you don’t need, cleaning out the drive, or flipping to high performance can turn your sluggish system into something much more responsive. For a proper kick, hardware upgrades like SSDs and extra RAM are the way to go, but these software tweaks are a great, low-cost way to get a boost.
Hope this helps someone shave a few minutes off their daily scrub. Because, honestly, who wants a slow computer in 2024?