Is your laptop running slow and lagging on Windows 11? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many users experience sluggish performance after upgrading or using Windows 11 for a while. The good news is, you can fix lagging laptop issues with a few essential steps and tweaks.
In this guide, we’ll cover why laptops lag on Windows 11, the most common causes, and step-by-step solutions to speed things up.
Summary: Key Takeaways
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Windows 11 laptops may lag due to startup programs, outdated drivers, malware, low RAM, or background processes.
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Quick fixes include: disabling startup apps, updating drivers, cleaning storage, and adjusting power settings.
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Advanced fixes include: adding more RAM, upgrading to SSD, or resetting Windows.
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With regular maintenance, you can keep your Windows 11 laptop running smooth and fast.
Why Is My Windows 11 Laptop Lagging?
Before fixing the issue, let’s understand the common reasons laptops slow down:
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Too many background apps consuming CPU and RAM.
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Startup programs delaying boot time.
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Outdated drivers or system updates causing instability.
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Low storage space on hard drive or SSD.
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Malware or viruses slowing performance.
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Insufficient RAM for heavy multitasking.
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Battery saver or wrong power settings reducing performance.
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Overheating throttling your processor.
How to Fix Lagging Laptop Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)
Let’s go through essential troubleshooting steps.
1. Restart Your Laptop
It may sound obvious, but restarting can clear temporary files and background processes that slow down performance.
Steps:
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Click Start > Power > Restart.
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After reboot, check if the lag persists.
2. Disable Startup Programs
Too many startup apps can make Windows 11 sluggish.
Steps:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Go to Startup Apps tab.
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Right-click unnecessary apps → Disable.
👉 Keep only essential apps like antivirus.
3. Update Windows and Drivers
Outdated software causes performance issues.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > Windows Update → Check for updates.
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Update drivers via Device Manager or tools like Intel Driver Support or NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
✅ Updated drivers = smoother performance.
4. Free Up Disk Space
A full hard drive slows down Windows significantly.
Steps:
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Open Settings > System > Storage.
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Enable Storage Sense to auto-delete junk.
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Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files.
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Uninstall apps you don’t use.
5. Run Performance Troubleshooter
Windows has built-in troubleshooting tools.
Steps:
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Press Windows + S, search Performance troubleshooter.
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Run it to detect and fix performance-related issues.
6. Adjust Power Settings
Windows 11 defaults to Balanced Mode, which may reduce speed.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
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Set Power mode to Best performance.
✅ This ensures your laptop uses full processing power.
7. Scan for Malware and Viruses
Malware can slow down your laptop dramatically.
Steps:
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Open Windows Security (built-in antivirus).
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Run a Full Scan.
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Optionally, use third-party tools like Malwarebytes for deeper cleaning.
8. Disable Visual Effects
Windows 11 comes with fancy animations that use system resources.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type:
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Go to Advanced > Performance > Settings.
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Select Adjust for best performance (or manually disable effects).
👉 This makes Windows 11 feel much faster.
9. Check Background Processes
Background tasks can hog CPU and memory.
Steps:
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Open Task Manager.
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Sort by CPU / Memory usage.
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End tasks for apps you don’t need.
10. Clean Temporary Files
Cached files can build up and slow performance.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
%temp%. -
Delete all files in the folder.
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Repeat with
tempandprefetchfolders.
11. Defragment and Optimize Drives
If you use an HDD, fragmentation slows access.
Steps:
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Press Windows + S, search Defragment and Optimize Drives.
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Select your drive → Optimize.
👉 Skip this step if you have an SSD.
12. Upgrade RAM
If your laptop lags during multitasking, low RAM may be the issue.
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Minimum recommended: 8GB for Windows 11.
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For gaming/design: 16GB or more.
Check your laptop’s specs and upgrade if possible.
13. Switch to SSD
If your laptop still uses an HDD, upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive) is the single biggest speed boost you can make.
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Faster boot times.
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Quicker app loading.
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Overall smoother experience.
14. Reset Windows 11
If nothing works, consider a reset.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
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Under Reset this PC, choose Keep my files.
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Follow on-screen instructions.
✅ This removes bloatware and restores system performance.
Comparison: Quick Fixes vs. Advanced Fixes
| Fix Type | Methods | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Fixes | Restart, disable startup apps, free disk space, scan malware | Everyday lag issues |
| Intermediate Fixes | Update drivers, change power mode, disable visual effects | Moderate slowness |
| Advanced Fixes | Add RAM, upgrade to SSD, reset Windows | Long-term performance boost |
Pro Tips to Prevent Lagging in the Future
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Keep Windows updated.
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Run Disk Cleanup regularly.
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Avoid installing unnecessary apps.
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Use cooling pads to prevent overheating.
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Consider lightweight alternatives to heavy apps (e.g., use Edge instead of Chrome if RAM is low).
Conclusion
If your Windows 11 laptop is lagging, don’t panic. Start with simple fixes like disabling startup apps, freeing up storage, and updating drivers. If performance still lags, consider hardware upgrades like adding more RAM or switching to an SSD.
By combining these essential steps and tips, you’ll keep your laptop running smooth and fast for years to come.
FAQs
1. Why is my Windows 11 laptop so slow?
It may be due to too many startup programs, low RAM, outdated drivers, or malware.
2. How can I speed up boot time in Windows 11?
Disable unnecessary startup apps in Task Manager and switch to an SSD.
3. Does Windows 11 slow down older laptops?
Yes, older laptops with less than 8GB RAM or HDD storage may struggle. Upgrading helps.
4. Should I reset Windows 11 if my laptop lags?
Yes, but only as a last resort. Try other fixes first. Resetting can improve performance.
5. Is upgrading to SSD worth it for Windows 11 laptops?
Absolutely! An SSD provides the biggest speed improvement compared to HDD.