Windows 11 running slow? 10 safe fixes you can do yourself

A slow computer is one of the most frustrating everyday problems, but in most cases the cause is ordinary: too many programs starting with Windows, a nearly full drive, a pending update, or a power setting that holds the processor back. The good news is that Windows 11 already includes every tool you need to fix it. You don't need to buy a "PC cleaner" or download anything.

Work through the steps below in order. Each one is safe, reversible and takes only a few minutes. After each step, use your computer normally for a while to see whether things have improved.

1. Restart properly (not just shut down)

Windows 11 uses a feature called Fast Startup. When you choose Shut down, Windows saves part of its running state to disk so it can boot faster next time. That means small memory leaks and stuck processes can carry over for days. A Restart clears everything completely.

1. Select the Start button.
2. Select the Power icon.
3. Choose Restart, not Shut down.

If your PC hasn't been restarted in a week or more, this single step often makes a noticeable difference.

2. Find what's slowing things down with Task Manager

Before changing settings, it helps to see what's actually using your computer's resources.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. If you see a small window, select More details.
3. On the Processes page, select the CPU, Memory or Disk column heading to sort by the biggest users.

If a program you recognise and aren't using (for example, a game launcher or a cloud sync app) sits at the top, right-click it and choose End task. Don't end processes you don't recognise, especially ones with names like "Windows", "System" or "Service Host" — those are part of Windows.

3. Turn off unnecessary startup apps

Many programs add themselves to startup when installed, so they launch every time you sign in. Each one uses memory and slows down boot time.

1. Open Settings (press Windows + I).
2. Go to Apps > Startup.
3. Look at the list. Each app shows its impact: High, Medium, Low or No impact.
4. Switch Off anything you don't need the moment your PC starts.

Safe to turn off for most people: music apps, game launchers, chat apps you open manually, printer "helper" utilities, and update checkers for software you rarely use. Keep your security software and touchpad or audio drivers turned on. Turning an app off here doesn't uninstall it — you can still open it whenever you like.

4. Free up disk space

Windows needs free space to work with temporary files and updates. When your main drive (usually C:) has less than about 10% free, performance can drop.

Check how much space you have

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Windows shows how much is used and what's taking up space.

Clean up temporary files

1. On the same Storage page, select Temporary files.
2. Tick items such as Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, Temporary files and Thumbnails.
3. Be careful with Downloads — ticking it deletes everything in your Downloads folder. Leave it unticked unless you've checked that folder first.
4. Select Remove files.

Turn on Storage Sense

On the Storage page, switch Storage Sense on. Windows will then clear temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin automatically on a schedule you choose.

Uninstall programs you no longer use

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by size, and uninstall programs you don't use. Pre-installed trial software from the laptop manufacturer is often a good candidate.

5. Install Windows and driver updates

Updates frequently include performance fixes, and a half-installed update can make a PC sluggish while it waits in the background.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates, then install everything offered.
3. Restart when asked.
4. Select Advanced options > Optional updates. If driver updates are listed there, install them too.

Only update drivers through Windows Update or your PC manufacturer's official website. Avoid "driver updater" programs advertised online; they are unnecessary and some bundle unwanted software.

6. Check your power mode

Laptops often default to a balanced or battery-saving mode that deliberately slows the processor.

1. Open Settings > System > Power & battery (on desktops it's just Power).
2. Find Power mode and choose Best performance while plugged in.
3. Check that Energy saver (or Battery saver) is off when you're charging.

Best performance uses more battery, so you may want to switch back to Balanced when you're working unplugged.

7. Reduce visual effects

Animations and transparency look nice, but on older or low-memory PCs they take resources away from your programs.

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.
2. Turn off Transparency effects and Animation effects.

For more control, press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, press Enter, open the Advanced tab, select Settings under Performance, and choose Adjust for best performance. You can re-tick "Smooth edges of screen fonts" afterwards so text stays sharp.

8. Run a Microsoft Defender scan

Unwanted software such as adware or hidden cryptocurrency miners can use a lot of processing power. Windows 11 already includes Microsoft Defender, so there's nothing to download.

1. Open the Windows Security app from the Start menu.
2. Select Virus & threat protection.
3. Select Scan options, choose Full scan, then Scan now.

A full scan can take an hour or more. You can keep using your PC while it runs. If you'd like a deeper look at alternative security tools, read our comparison of lesser-known antivirus products.

9. Repair damaged system files

If Windows itself feels unstable — slow menus, freezing Settings pages, or errors — damaged system files could be the cause. Windows has two built-in repair tools.

1. Select Start, type terminal, right-click Terminal and choose Run as administrator. Select Yes when asked.
2. Type this command and press Enter. It downloads clean copies of any damaged Windows components:

3. When it finishes (it can pause at 20% or 62% for a while — that's normal), run:

4. Restart your PC once both have completed.

These commands only repair Windows' own files. They don't delete your documents or programs.

10. When the hardware is the real bottleneck

If you've done all of the above and your PC is still slow, it may simply be short of hardware resources. Two quick checks:

• Memory (RAM): In Task Manager, open the Performance page and select Memory. Windows 11 runs best with at least 8 GB. If you have 4 GB and usage is regularly above 85%, extra memory will help more than any setting.
• Drive type: On the same Performance page, select your disk. If it says HDD, replacing it with an SSD is the single biggest speed upgrade most older PCs can get.

Both upgrades are usually affordable, but check your laptop's specifications first — some models have memory soldered to the motherboard. A local, reputable repair shop you can visit in person is a good option if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

Frequently asked questions