Feeling like your Windows 11 laptop is running in molasses mode? Yeah, it’s kind of frustrating when things slow down just when you need them to work smoothly. The good news is, a lot of this sluggishness comes down to simple settings tweaks, cleaning out files, or updating drivers. Doing this stuff can actually make a noticeable difference—faster boots, snappier app switches, less lag. It’s not about turning your machine into a gaming rig, but just enough to make everyday use less painful. Just sometimes Windows makes it more complicated than it really needs to be, but sticking with these small adjustments can pay off. So, here’s a low-key guide to help squeeze more speed out of that machine. These tricks are pretty common, but they often get overlooked because they seem too basic. Anyway, once you get through the steps, your laptop might actually feel like it has a bit of new pep. Not promising miracles, but definitely worth trying if your system is feeling kinda tired lately.
How to Make Your Laptop Faster on Windows 11
Disabling startup programs that slow everything down
On many setups, a boatload of apps decide to launch when Windows starts up, which can drag things to a crawl right out of the gate. Access Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and switch to the Startup tab. Disable the apps you don’t need immediately—these are often things like cloud sync tools or chat apps running in the background. This helps cut down boot time and gives your CPU a breather early on. Sometimes, this stuff works on the first try, but on others, you might need to reboot once or twice for the changes to ‘stick.’ Worth a shot. Why it helps: It reduces background load during startup, freeing up resources for other tasks. When it applies: If your laptop’s slow to get going or lags during multitasking early on. What to expect: Faster boot times and snappier responsiveness. Tip: Be careful not to disable anything essential—if Windows or security tools stop working properly, re-enable those apps.
Uninstall unused apps to free up space and stop background hogging
If your storage is stuffed or you’ve got apps you haven’t opened in months, get rid of ’em. Head over to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the culprits, and uninstall them. This isn’t just about freeing up space; some programs run background processes or auto-updates that chew through CPU cycles. The less clutter, the more breathing room your laptop has to run stuff smoothly. Sometimes, removing apps helps a lot right away—one user found their laptop was much faster after removing a bunch of old games and utility programs. Weird, but it works. Why it helps: Less clutter, less background activity, more storage. When it applies: When your disk is cluttered with junk, or the system feels sluggish, especially when opening or switching apps. What to expect: Faster system response and better free disk space. Note: Keep an eye on driver utilities or things you might need—don’t just mass-uninstall without checking if you’ll need something later.
Cleaning up your disk to clear junk files
Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool, which you can find by typing “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu. Select the drive you want to clean—probably C:\—and delete temporary files, system cache, old Windows update leftovers, and other unnecessary data. Sometimes, just cleaning out a few gigabytes can make a big difference in speed, especially if you’re running low on space. Windows might do an automatic cleanup, but manual cleanup is better. Keep in mind, on some machines, Disk Cleanup struggles to show all temporary files, so using tools like CCleaner (be cautious with it) can help if needed. Why it helps: Frees up storage, which is good because a full disk throttles performance. When it applies: When you start noticing disk-related slowdowns or long load times. What to expect: A bit more space and a slightly zippier system.
Adjusting power settings to boost performance
Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep and find the power mode. Switch from “Balanced” or “Power saver” to “High performance.” On some setups, this actually significantly improves responsiveness because it tells Windows to push your hardware a bit more. Of course, this will eat through your battery faster—so on a laptop unplugged, switch back if needed. Sometimes, you’ll find this option under Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options as well. Here, you can even customize the plan further if you want more control over CPU scaling and hard drive sleep. Why it helps: More aggressive CPU and hardware utilization means less lag. When it applies: If your laptop feels sluggish after some idle time or when multitasking. What to expect: Quicker response times, but keep an eye on battery drain.
Updating Windows and drivers for performance patches
Absolutely do not skip updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates regularly. Windows and hardware manufacturers often fix bugs and optimize code in new updates, which can make your system run more smoothly. Also, update device drivers—graphics, network, audio—either via Windows Update or directly from the manufacturers’ websites. Sometimes, a driver update can completely change how well your system performs, especially if it’s been crashing or lagging before. Use tools like Intel Driver & Support Assistant or Dell SupportAssist if you’re on a laptop brand that has its own utilities. Why it helps: Ensures hardware and Windows are optimized with the latest improvements. When it applies: When system feels outdated, unstable, or slow after a lengthy time without updates. What to expect: Better stability and sometimes noticeable performance boosts. Once all these are done, your Windows 11 machine should feel a bit more alive, and multitasking might be less frustrating. Each little tweak adds up, and you get the best bang for your buck without doing a full reinstall or hardware upgrade—mostly just some city worker-level fine-tuning. If that didn’t help, what might be worth trying next could be hardware upgrades or deep system resets, but these basic things often squeeze out the last bit of speed from existing gear.
Tips for Making Your Laptop Faster on Windows 11
- Restart your laptop regularly—sometimes this clears up caches and frees memory.
- Use storage cleanup tools to find and delete duplicates or massive files you don’t need.
- Thinking of an upgrade? More RAM or switching to an SSD can totally change the game.
- Keep your desktop clutter-free—less icons, less background wallpaper changes, fewer open tabs/apps.
- Run antivirus scans to make sure malware isn’t secretly slowing down everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to disable startup programs?
Mostly, yes. Just avoid disabling system-critical apps—like your antivirus or driver utilities. If anything weird happens afterward, you can re-enable the apps you shot down.
How often should disk cleanup be done?
Once a month is usually fine unless you install tons of new apps or download huge files constantly. Regular cleanup keeps things snappy.
Will switching to high performance drain my batteries faster?
Yep. High performance uses more power, so it’s best for plugged-in sessions. When on battery, switch back to balanced to save juice.
Can updating drivers really help?
Usually. Updated drivers aren’t just about fixing bugs—they can also optimize hardware efficiency, which means better speed and stability.
Suddenly, uninstalling apps feels risky—what if I need them again?
If they’re not core system apps, uninstalling is generally safe. Just take care to remember what you removed, so you can reinstall if needed later.
Summary
- Disable unnecessary startup programs to speed up boot time.
- Uninstall applications you no longer use to clear clutter.
- Clean up disk space to improve overall responsiveness.
- Adjust power settings for maximum performance when plugged in.
- Keep Windows and drivers updated to benefit from fixes and improvements.
Wrap-up
Getting your Windows 11 laptop faster isn’t a marathon, just a series of small, practical steps. Regular maintenance, some settings tweaks, and keeping everything up to date can really help keep it running smoother for longer. Sure, it’s not magic, but these little tweaks add up and make everyday workflow less annoying. Hopefully, this saves someone a headache or two. Just something that worked on multiple setups—which is nice to see, because not all fixes are universal.