How to Fix a Slow Computer in Windows 11: Boost Your PC’s Speed

By / September 17, 2025

📌 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • Windows 11 slow performance is often caused by background apps, startup bloat, outdated drivers, malware, or insufficient hardware resources.

  • Quick fixes include restarting your PC, disabling startup apps, updating drivers, and cleaning up junk files.

  • Advanced fixes involve adjusting visual effects, increasing virtual memory, upgrading RAM or storage, and checking for malware.

  • Prevention: keep Windows updated, optimize settings, and maintain good PC health habits.

Introduction

Does your Windows 11 PC feel sluggish, taking forever to boot up or load apps? You’re not alone. Even the sleek new Windows 11 can slow down over time—just like a brand-new car that runs smoothly at first but eventually needs a tune-up.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech genius to fix it. In this guide, we’ll cover how to fix a slow computer in Windows 11 step by step—starting with quick tweaks and moving to advanced performance boosters.

Let’s bring your PC back to life! 🚀

Why Is My Windows 11 PC Running Slow?

Before we fix the issue, let’s look at the most common causes of slow performance:

  • 🐢 Too many startup apps eating up memory.

  • 📦 Bloatware and background apps running silently.

  • 🧹 Junk files and temporary data clogging storage.

  • ⚠️ Outdated or corrupted drivers slowing down hardware.

  • 🔒 Malware or viruses draining performance.

  • ⚡ Insufficient RAM or old hard drive.

  • 🎨 Heavy visual effects and animations.

  • 💻 Overheating or poor hardware health.

Understanding the cause helps you apply the right fix.

Step 1: Restart Your PC (The Classic Fix)

It sounds obvious, but many people forget this. Restarting clears memory leaks, resets processes, and often fixes slowdowns instantly.

👉 If your PC has been running for days without a reboot, start here.

Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Too many apps launching at startup can bog down your PC.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Startup apps tab.

  3. Right-click unnecessary programs → Disable.

👉 Example: Spotify, Zoom, or Adobe services that you don’t always need on boot.

Step 3: Uninstall Bloatware and Unused Apps

Manufacturers love preloading apps you’ll never use. These take up space and slow your system.

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.

  3. Sort by Size or Install date.

  4. Uninstall anything you don’t need.

⚠️ Pro tip: Leave drivers and essential system apps untouched.

Step 4: Clean Up Junk Files with Storage Sense

Windows 11 includes Storage Sense to automatically free up space.

  1. Open Settings > System > Storage.

  2. Turn on Storage Sense.

  3. Click Run Storage Sense now.

This clears temporary files, old update leftovers, and cache.

Step 5: Check for Windows Updates

Updates don’t just add features—they patch bugs and optimize performance.

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates.

  3. Install any pending updates.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated drivers = laggy performance.

  • Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).

  • Right-click a device → Update driver.

  • Or download drivers from manufacturer websites (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, etc.).

👉 Especially update graphics, network, and chipset drivers.

Step 7: Run a Virus and Malware Scan

Malware can silently slow down your system.

  1. Open Windows Security (Defender).

  2. Go to Virus & threat protection.

  3. Run a Full scan.

For extra safety, consider Malwarebytes or another trusted tool.

Step 8: Adjust Visual Effects for Speed

Windows 11 has beautiful animations, but they can eat performance.

  1. Press Win + S, type Adjust the appearance of Windows, and open it.

  2. Select Adjust for best performance (or customize by disabling animations only).

This makes your PC feel snappier.

Step 9: Optimize Background Apps

Some apps run even when you’re not using them.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

  2. Click an app → Advanced options.

  3. Under Background apps permissions, set to Never (for apps you don’t need in the background).

Step 10: Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup

For more control than Storage Sense:

  1. Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.

  2. Select your system drive (usually C:) → OK.

  3. Tick unnecessary file categories → OK.

Step 11: Defragment or Optimize Drives

If you’re using an HDD, defragmenting can boost speed.

  1. Press Win + S, search for Defragment and Optimize Drives.

  2. Select your drive → Optimize.

👉 If you have an SSD, Windows 11 automatically handles optimization.

Step 12: Increase Virtual Memory (Paging File)

If you’re low on RAM, virtual memory helps.

  1. Press Win + S, type Performance options, open it.

  2. Go to Advanced > Virtual memory.

  3. Check Automatically manage paging file size (or set custom values).

Step 13: Disable Power-Hungry Background Services

Switch to a performance power plan:

  1. Open Settings > System > Power & battery.

  2. Change Power mode to Best performance.

Step 14: Run Built-In Troubleshooters

Windows 11 has troubleshooters for common issues.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

  2. Run relevant troubleshooters (e.g., Power, Windows Update, Hardware).

Step 15: Upgrade Your Hardware (If All Else Fails)

Sometimes, no amount of tweaking can fix old hardware.

  • 💾 Upgrade to SSD (fastest boost if you’re still on HDD).

  • 🔥 Add more RAM (8GB is minimum, 16GB+ recommended).

  • 🎮 Upgrade GPU if gaming or video editing is slow.

Preventive Tips to Keep Windows 11 Fast

  • Restart regularly.

  • Install updates on time.

  • Use an antivirus and avoid shady downloads.

  • Clean up junk monthly.

  • Avoid too many background apps.

Table: Quick Fixes vs. Advanced Fixes for Windows 11 Performance

Fix Type Action Difficulty
Quick Fix Restart PC, disable startup apps, uninstall bloatware Easy
System Fix Update Windows, run SFC/DISM, adjust effects Medium
Deep Fix Increase RAM, switch to SSD, upgrade GPU Hard

Conclusion

A slow Windows 11 PC doesn’t mean you need a new computer. Most of the time, simple tweaks like disabling startup apps, cleaning junk files, updating drivers, and adjusting settings will bring back the speed.

If you’ve tried everything and your PC is still crawling, consider hardware upgrades like an SSD or more RAM—they can transform your experience overnight.

Stay consistent with updates and maintenance, and Windows 11 will stay fast and reliable. 🚀

FAQs About Fixing a Slow Computer in Windows 11

1. Why is my Windows 11 computer so slow?

It could be due to startup bloat, outdated drivers, malware, or insufficient RAM/SSD.

2. Does upgrading to Windows 11 slow down my PC?

Not necessarily. On modern hardware, it runs smoothly, but older systems may feel slower.

3. How do I speed up boot time in Windows 11?

Disable unnecessary startup apps, enable Fast Startup, and use an SSD.

4. Should I defrag my SSD in Windows 11?

No. SSDs don’t need defragmentation—Windows automatically optimizes them.

5. What’s the fastest way to speed up Windows 11?

Upgrade to an SSD, disable startup apps, and keep drivers updated.

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