Fixing Lag on PC Windows 11
Let’s just get real—tackling lag on a Windows 11 PC can sometimes feel like trying to fix a car with a spoon. It’s usually a mix of cleaning up junk, streamlining what’s running, and making sure everything’s up to date. It might sound a bit daunting, but really, these tweaks are pretty straightforward and can give your machine a nice little boost. So, here’s a rundown of some methods that’ve worked for others in the trenches.
Check for Windows Updates
First off, Windows 11 loves to throw updates at you, and trust that these aren’t just for show. Think of updates like oil changes for your computer. You don’t want to skip them. Open up Settings > Windows Update or just smash Windows + I to get there faster. Hit “Check for updates” and let it do its thing.
If updates pop up, get them installed. Sometimes, it’ll demand a restart—make sure to save everything before diving in. Optional updates are worth a peek too; those can have graphics drivers or other performance fixes, which can help a ton. On some machines, the updates work great—the first time, anyway. On others? It’s like they just roll their eyes and refuse to cooperate until the third try or so.
Optimize Startup Programs
Next up, it’s time to tackle that rogue gallery of startup programs. Too many apps trying to launch all at once can really drag things down. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to pull up the Task Manager, then click on the Startup tab. You’ll see what’s plaguing your startup time. If something looks suspicious or unnecessary, go ahead and hit Disable.
Also, check Settings > Apps > Startup for another angle of attack, or you can right-click on those pesky icons in the system tray and choose to close or disable them at startup. Just don’t go disabling your antivirus—that’s asking for trouble.
Clean Up Unnecessary Files
Over time, your PC collects a bunch of temporary and downright useless files—it’s like a digital attic that needs cleaning. Windows actually has a Disk Cleanup tool stashed away—it’s just a bit of a scavenger hunt to find it. Type Disk Cleanup into the search bar, pick the app, and then select your drive (likely C:).
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can fire up PowerShell as an admin with Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin). Then run this magic command:
cleanmgr /sagerun:1In Disk Cleanup, go through the checkboxes and tick those temporary and system files. Then just click OK and let it work its magic—your system will definitely appreciate the extra breathing room.
Adjust Visual Effects
You ever notice all those fancy graphics like window fades and shadows in Windows 11? They look nice until your system starts to lag. If you want a noticeable uptick in performance—especially on older machines—try toning these down. Go to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings. Right-click on This PC if you want a shortcut, select Properties, then go to the Advanced tab and click Performance > Settings.
Here you can either choose Adjust for best performance, which is the easy route, or you can tick Custom and disable all the frills like show shadows under windows and animations. For those who love shortcuts: hit Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter—it’ll take you right there.
Scan for Malware
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection, and run a “Quick Scan.”
If it finds anything fishy, follow the prompts to deal with it. For those feeling a bit more paranoid, a Full Scan or using programs like Malwarebytes or Microsoft Safety Scanner is the way to go. Oh, and don’t forget to enable real-time protection—all that effort is kind of useless if it’s just going to let new threats come right back in.
After crunching through all this, there should be a noticeable kick in performance: apps launching faster, smoother multitasking, and fewer lag spikes. For keeping things fresh, consider scheduling regular cleanups and scans using something like Task Scheduler. Just a friendly reminder: don’t let your digital attic get too cluttered again!