Getting Windows 11 to run quicker can seriously change how your PC feels — like turning a slow, laggy rig into something way more snappy. Often, those startup programs, outdated updates, or background apps get in the way of smooth sailing. A few tweaks, clearing out the clutter, and tuning settings can make a fair dinkum difference. This guide’ll run you through some easy steps, including managing what launches on start, updating Windows, and cleaning up your drive, so your Windows 11 feels faster and more responsive. Honestly, Windows can be a bit over the top sometimes, but these tips should help things run smoother again.
How to Speed Up Windows 11
Disable unnecessary startup programs
This is usually the first thing to check if your PC feels slow at startup. Head over to Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and click on the Startup tab. Here’s where a lot of programs sneak in and launch every time you turn on your PC. Turning off the ones you don’t need to start automatically can shave seconds or even minutes off your boot time. Many apps set themselves to launch at startup without you realising, and on some setups, this can slow things down a fair bit.
- Right-click the Start button or press Win + X and pick Task Manager
- Switch to the Startup tab
- Disable programs that aren’t essential — like Spotify, Dropbox, or game launchers
It’s funny how many background apps load automatically, but cutting down these startup entries can really give your PC a boost. On some setups, I’ve noticed a big difference just by turning off a few unnecessary apps. Don’t go overboard, though — leave your antivirus and key system apps alone. Clearing out the clutter can make your startup much quicker and your machine more responsive all day long.
Update Windows 11
Keeping your OS up-to-date is often overlooked, but those updates include not just security patches but also speed improvements. Head to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Sometimes, Windows will offer optional updates that improve performance, drivers, or system stability, so it’s worth grabbing those too.
I get it, updates can be a pain, but on one machine, I found installing a cumulative update dramatically sped things up, while on another, it made hardly any difference. Still, outdated Windows can lag in optimisation and pose security risks. So, if you want your system to run its best, staying up-to-date is a smart move.
Uninstall the apps you don’t use
Over time, heaps of software gathers on your PC, even the stuff you used once and forgot about. Head over to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & Features) and have a clean-out. Removing unnecessary apps frees up space on your drive and reduces background resource drain.
- Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
- Click on apps you no longer need and hit Uninstall
This can tidy up your drive and make your PC respond better, especially if those apps are running in the background or doing scheduled tasks. Honestly, it’s surprising how much slowdown can come from having heaps of unused apps quietly chugging away.
Adjust visual effects for better performance
Windows 11’s fancy animations and effects look ace, but they gobble up system resources. Turning some of them off or reducing effects can make a noticeable difference, especially on older or lower-spec hardware. Head to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings, then under Performance, click Settings.
- Select Adjust for best performance
- Or handpick specific effects if you don’t want to turn everything off (like animations or shadows)
This step is pretty much a no-brainer if you want your PC to be snappier, especially when opening apps or switching between windows. Windows loves the eye candy, but on some setups, it just makes things feel sluggish.
Optimize your hard drive
If you’re still running an HDD (hard disk drive), now’s the time to give it a tune-up. Use the Disk Cleanup tool (search for it in the start menu) to get rid of junk files, temporary files, and old system files that are just taking up space.
For HDDs, defragmenting can help organise data for faster access. Type defrag C: /O in Command Prompt (run as admin) to defragment and optimise your drive. If you’re on an SSD (solid-state drive), Windows manages this automatically, but you can check out this guide from Microsoft for SSD tuning tips.
On some setups, a quick cleanup and defrag can really speed things up. Not sure why, but on one PC, doing this made everything feel quicker overnight.
After all these tweaks, your PC should feel way faster. Boot time drops, apps open quicker, and browsing becomes smoother as well.
Tips to Keep Windows 11 Running Smooth
- Regularly clear out temporary files — set a schedule or do it when it’s feeling sluggish
- Make sure your antivirus is doing its job without slowing things down
- If you’re still on an HDD, consider swapping to an SSD — makes a massive difference
- Close unnecessary browser tabs — Chrome or Edge can gobble resources when you’ve got too many open
- Think about adding more RAM if your machine’s maxed out — sometimes that’s the bottleneck
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell which apps are slowing down my startup?
Task Manager’s Startup tab is your go-to. Check out the Startup impact column — the higher, the more they’re dragging you down. Disable the big offenders first.
What if my system’s still sluggish after these tips?
It might be your hardware. Check your disk health via Settings > Storage > Disk info or use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo. RAM could be maxed out, too — consider an upgrade or see what background apps are gobbling resources.
Can browser extensions slow things down?
Too right. A bunch of extensions or poorly coded ones can bog down your browsing and system overall. Try disabling or removing ones you don’t need.
Is it safe to turn off all startup programs?
Mostly, yeah. Just keep your antivirus, hardware drivers, and essential utilities active. The rest should be safe to disable without causing issues.
How often should I run disk cleanup and defrag?
Once a month’s a good shout, especially if you notice things slowing down. SSDs don’t need defrag, and Windows handles that automatically, but doing a cleanup regularly helps keep things tidy.
Summary
- Turn off unnecessary startup apps
- Keep Windows up-to-date
- Remove unused software
- Adjust visual effects for better speed
- Give your hard drive a tidy-up and defrag now and then
Wrap-up
Honestly, just tweaking a few settings and clearing the junk out can turn a sluggish Windows 11 into a pretty quick machine. It’s not magic, but it’s pretty close. If these tips help even a little, that’s a win. Keep your system updated, stay on top of cleaning out the clutter, and don’t ignore the warning signs — they usually mean it’s time to do some routine maintenance. Hope this helps someone get a bit more life out of their PC!