Is your Windows 11 laptop running slower than usual? Waiting forever for it to boot or open apps can be incredibly frustrating. The good news? You don’t need to buy a new laptop—there are plenty of simple tweaks to make your current one faster. In this guide, we’ll go through practical tips and tricks to boost your device’s performance.
Why Do Windows 11 Laptops Become Slow?
A sluggish laptop can be caused by many factors:
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Too many startup apps running in the background
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Unnecessary files hogging storage
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Outdated drivers or software
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Low memory (RAM) usage optimization
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Malware or bloatware
Identifying the culprit is half the battle. Once you know what’s slowing you down, you can fix it.
Practical Ways to Speed Up Your Windows 11 Laptop
Let’s explore some proven methods that will give your laptop a noticeable performance boost.
1. Disable Startup Apps
Every time you turn on your laptop, certain apps launch automatically, slowing down boot time.
Steps:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Go to the Startup tab.
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Disable apps you don’t need to launch at startup.
2. Uninstall Unnecessary Software
Over time, you might accumulate apps you rarely use. These take up space and may run background services.
How to remove them:
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Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
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Select the unwanted apps and click Uninstall.
3. Run Disk Cleanup
Temporary files and system junk can slow things down.
Steps:
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Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu.
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Select the drive (usually C:).
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Check unnecessary files and delete them.
4. Use Storage Sense
Windows 11 comes with Storage Sense, a built-in feature that automatically frees up space.
To enable it:
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Go to Settings > System > Storage.
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Turn on Storage Sense and configure it to clean up automatically.
5. Upgrade Your RAM
If your laptop struggles with multitasking, adding more RAM can make a huge difference. Many modern laptops allow you to upgrade memory easily.
6. Switch to an SSD
If your laptop still runs on a traditional hard drive (HDD), consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs dramatically improve boot times and app loading.
7. Disable Visual Effects
Windows 11 has sleek animations and effects that look nice but consume resources.
Steps:
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Search for Performance Options in the Start menu.
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Select Adjust for best performance or customize which effects to disable.
8. Keep Windows Updated
Updates often bring performance improvements and security patches.
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Go to Settings > Windows Update and install the latest updates.
9. Scan for Malware
Malware and viruses can secretly eat up your system resources.
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Use Windows Security (Defender) or a trusted antivirus to scan and remove threats.
10. Turn Off Background Apps
Apps running in the background can slow performance.
Steps:
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Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Background apps.
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Turn off unnecessary apps.
11. Manage Power Settings
Windows 11 balances performance with power efficiency by default.
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Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery.
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Set it to Best Performance mode when plugged in.
12. Defragment and Optimize Drives
For HDD users, defragmenting helps organize data for faster access.
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Type Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start menu.
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Select your hard drive and click Optimize.
(Not needed for SSDs—Windows handles them differently.)
13. Remove Bloatware
New laptops often come with unnecessary pre-installed apps.
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Use Settings > Apps to uninstall them.
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For stubborn ones, consider using a trusted third-party bloatware removal tool.
14. Restart Your Laptop Regularly
Many people keep their laptops running for weeks without restarting. A quick reboot can free memory and refresh the system.
15. Reset Your PC (Last Resort)
If nothing works, consider resetting Windows 11.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
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Select Reset this PC and choose whether to keep your files.
Pro Tips to Maintain Speed
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Keep your desktop clean and organized.
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Avoid running too many tabs in your browser.
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Turn off apps you don’t use frequently.
Final Thoughts
Making your Windows 11 laptop faster doesn’t always require technical expertise. With a few tweaks—disabling startup apps, upgrading to an SSD, clearing junk files—you can breathe new life into your device. Start with the simplest steps, like removing unnecessary software and adjusting power settings, and move on to hardware upgrades if needed.
FAQs
1. Does upgrading to Windows 11 slow down old laptops?
Not necessarily. If your laptop meets the system requirements, Windows 11 can run smoothly, but older hardware may struggle.
2. How much RAM is enough for Windows 11?
8 GB is good for most users, but 16 GB is better for heavy multitasking and gaming.
3. Will disabling visual effects make my laptop ugly?
Not at all—you’ll barely notice the difference, but your system will feel snappier.
4. Should I use third-party cleaner apps?
Windows built-in tools are usually enough, but reliable third-party apps can help if used cautiously.
5. How often should I perform maintenance tasks?
A monthly cleanup (deleting junk, updating software, scanning for malware) is enough for most users.