How to Speed Up Windows 11: 12 Safe Tweaks That Actually Help

If Windows 11 feels slow, you can usually speed it up for free with tools that are already built in. Start with the quick wins (restart, update, trim startup apps), then move on to storage cleanup and settings tweaks. Only spend money if your PC still runs on an old hard drive.

Every step below uses Microsoft’s own performance tips, so nothing here risks breaking Windows. Try them in order and check how the PC feels after each one.

The checklist at a glance

Step	Where to find it	Cost
Close apps and restart	Start > Power > Restart	Free
Install updates	Settings > Windows Update	Free
Disable startup apps	Task Manager > Startup apps	Free
Run Storage Sense	Settings > System > Storage	Free
Delete temporary files	Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files	Free
Uninstall unused apps	Settings > Apps > Installed apps	Free
Limit background apps	Installed apps > Advanced options	Free
Adjust visual effects	Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows	Free
Switch power mode	Settings > System > Power & battery	Free
Turn off notifications	Settings > System > Notifications	Free
Scan for malware	Windows Security > Virus & threat protection	Free
Optimize drives	Defragment and Optimize Drives	Free
Replace a hard drive with an SSD	Hardware upgrade	Paid

Tip: If your PC slowed down suddenly rather than gradually, start with our diagnostic guide, why is my computer so slow. It shows how to find the app or process causing the problem.

Quick wins (5 minutes)

1. Close apps and restart

Apps and browser tabs you aren’t using still take memory and processor time. Close them, then restart the PC with Start > Power > Restart.

If you see Update and restart in the power menu, choose it so pending updates finish installing too.

2. Install Windows updates

1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates and install what’s offered.
3. For driver updates, check Advanced options > Optional updates.

Updates include fixes for performance problems and newer drivers. Your PC may need to restart.

If updates fail, see our fix for Windows Update error 0x80070005.

3. Turn off startup apps you don’t need

Many apps set themselves to launch every time you sign in, which slows startup and keeps running in the background.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Startup apps.
3. Right-click an app you don’t need at sign-in and select Disable.

Disabling only stops the app from launching at sign-in; it doesn’t uninstall it. Leave your antivirus alone, and look up any name you don’t recognize before disabling it.

Tip: Task Manager has more keyboard shortcuts than most people know. Our list of computer tricks covers the most useful ones.

Free up storage

A nearly full drive slows Windows down. These built-in tools clear space safely.

4. Run Storage Sense

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
2. Select Storage Sense.
3. Select Run Storage Sense now.

Storage Sense frees up space by cleaning out files Windows doesn’t need, such as temporary files.

5. Delete temporary files

1. In Start > Settings > System > Storage, select Temporary files.
2. Check the types of files you want to remove.
3. Select Remove files.

Important: Read each category before you check it, and leave unchecked anything that might contain files you want to keep.

You can also use the older Disk Cleanup tool: select Start, type Disk Cleanup, open it and choose your drive.

6. Uninstall apps you don’t use

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find an app you no longer use and select More options (…).
3. Select Uninstall.

Removing unused apps frees space and often removes background services and startup entries too.

Tune Windows settings

7. Stop apps running in the background

Some apps keep working after you close them.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Select More options (…) next to an app, then Advanced options.
3. Under Background app permissions, set Let this app run in the background to Never.

Not every app shows this option.

8. Adjust visual effects

Windows animations and shadows look nice but use resources.

1. Select Start and type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
2. Open it and go to the Visual Effects tab.
3. Select Adjust for best performance and save the change.

Windows will look plainer. If you miss a particular effect, you can check its box again on the same tab.

9. Switch the power mode

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
2. In the Power mode list, select Best performance.

Note: Microsoft warns that Best performance makes a laptop battery drain faster and can make the device run warmer. Use it when plugged in.

10. Turn off notifications you don’t need

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Turn off notifications for apps you don’t need to hear from.

This is part of Microsoft’s own performance checklist, and it cuts down on interruptions too.

Check for problems

11. Scan for malware

Malware and unwanted software can slow a PC down a lot.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
2. Select Quick scan.

If the quick scan finds nothing but you still suspect something, run a full scan from Scan options in the same window.

12. Optimize your drives and watch Task Manager

Windows optimizes drives automatically once a week by default. Hard disk drives are defragmented and SSDs are trimmed. To run it yourself:

1. Select Start, type Defragment and Optimize Drives and open it.
2. Select your drive and choose Optimize.

Then use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to find anything hogging resources. The Processes tab shows which apps use the most CPU, memory and disk. Close apps you aren’t using. If one process keeps your disk busy, our guide to Service Host SuperFetch explains a common culprit.

When to upgrade: SSD vs hard drive

If you’ve done everything above and Windows 11 is still slow, check what kind of drive it runs on. In Task Manager, open the Performance tab and select your disk. It shows the disk type as SSD or HDD.

If it says HDD, a solid-state drive is the upgrade most likely to make a noticeable difference. HP explains that SSDs access files faster than hard drives because they have no moving parts, which means faster boot times and quicker app launches.

Check internal SSDs on Amazon

Before you buy:

• Check what your PC supports. Your PC maker’s support page or manual lists the drive types that fit your model. Buy one that matches.
• Back up first. Moving Windows to a new drive means cloning the old drive or reinstalling Windows. Either way, back up your files before you start.
• Not comfortable opening the case? A local repair shop can install the drive and move your data.

If your PC already has an SSD, a new one won’t help much. Microsoft notes that older PCs with outdated hardware may not improve much with tweaks, and that a new device may be the best long-term fix.

What not to do

• Skip registry cleaners and “PC booster” apps. Microsoft’s performance tips don’t include registry cleaning. These tools change system settings in ways that are hard to check, and they add risk without a documented benefit.
• Don’t turn off your antivirus or Windows Security to gain speed. The protection is worth far more than any tiny performance gain.
• Don’t disable Windows services at random. It isn’t part of Microsoft’s performance tips, and a service you don’t recognize may be one that a Windows feature you rely on needs.
• Don’t delete files from the Windows folder by hand. Use Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup instead.

If your PC is still slow

If Windows 11 is still sluggish after all of this, look for a deeper cause. Our why is my computer so slow guide walks through CPU, memory and disk diagnosis, and computer repair tips covers hardware checks. For more everyday tweaks, browse Tech Tips.