Windows 11 brings a sleek interface and better performance than its predecessors, but even the best systems can slow down over time. Whether you’re dealing with startup delays, laggy performance, or app freezes, there are several ways to boost your PC’s speed without needing new hardware.
In this guide, we’ll cover 15 actionable and safe ways to speed up your Windows 11 computer.
1. Disable Startup Apps
Many apps launch automatically when you start your PC — slowing down boot time.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Right-click and disable apps you don’t need at startup.
2. Uninstall Unnecessary Software
Remove bloatware and unused programs that drain system resources.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
- Sort by size or last used
- Uninstall apps you no longer need
3. Run Disk Cleanup
Remove junk files, old temp data, and previous Windows installations.
Steps:
- Search for Disk Cleanup in Start Menu
- Select the drive (usually C:)
- Check boxes for temporary files, system cache, etc.
- Click Clean up system files
4. Use Storage Sense
Enable Storage Sense to automatically clean up temporary files.
- Go to Settings > System > Storage
- Toggle on Storage Sense
- Configure automatic cleanup frequency
5. Restart Your PC Regularly
Don’t leave your system running for weeks. Restart clears memory and halts background processes.
6. Use the Windows Troubleshooter
Let Windows detect and fix issues that might be slowing things down.
- Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
7. Optimize Visual Effects
Reduce fancy animations for better performance.
- Press Windows + R → type sysdm.cpl
- Go to Advanced > Performance > Settings
- Select Adjust for best performance (or customize options)
8. Defragment and Optimize Drives
Especially for HDD users, regular optimization helps.
- Search “Defragment and Optimize Drives”
- Select your drives and click Optimize
(For SSDs, Windows will “trim” them — no harm.)
9. Update Windows & Drivers
Outdated drivers and OS patches can affect speed.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
For drivers:
- Use Device Manager or a trusted driver updater.
10. Use Microsoft Defender or Lightweight Antivirus
Avoid heavy third-party antivirus that hogs resources. Windows Defender is fast and secure for most users.
11. Disable Background Apps
Reduce CPU load by turning off unused apps running in the background.
- Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Advanced Options
- Disable Background App Permissions
12. Turn Off Search Indexing (Optional for Slow PCs)
Search Indexing can be a drain on older systems.
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc
- Find Windows Search, right-click > Properties
- Set Startup type to Disabled
13. Increase Virtual Memory (Paging File)
Helps if you’re low on physical RAM.
- Search Advanced system settings > Performance Settings > Advanced
- Click Change under Virtual Memory
- Uncheck automatic
- Set initial size = 1.5x your RAM; max size = 3x your RAM
14. Use High-Performance Power Plan
- Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode
- Choose Best performance
15. Reset Your PC (As a Last Resort)
If nothing works, reset to a clean Windows install.
- Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC
Choose Keep my files if you want to preserve personal data.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your Windows 11 PC running fast doesn’t require advanced skills or expensive upgrades. These 15 tweaks will help most users reclaim speed and ensure your system performs optimally every day.