Speeding up Windows 11 isn’t magic, it’s about making a few tweaks here and there. Sometimes, your PC feels sluggish because it’s running too many background processes, cluttering up with unnecessary apps, or just not using the right power plan. Tweaking these things can lead to noticeable improvements. These steps aren’t groundbreaking, but they add up — a faster boot, snappier response, less lag. It’s kind of funny how Windows can get bogged down, and some of that is just way easier to fix than expected.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make Windows 11 Faster
Because Windows loves to try to make everything run in the background, it can slow down your experience. The good news? Most of these fixes are straightforward — if you know where to look. Expect smoother boots, less sluggishness when opening apps, and maybe even a bit more battery life if you’re on a laptop. We’ll hit a few basics and some hidden settings, because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Fix 1: Disable Startup Programs
Let’s face it, a lot of apps sneak into startup without telling you. They slow down your boot and eat resources once Windows is loaded. Disabling some of them can give your machine a fresh start. It’s helpful if your PC takes forever to get going or if apps are clunkier than they should be right after login.
- Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab — if you don’t see it, click on More details at the bottom.
- Look through the list of programs; you’ll see their impact ratings (like High, Medium, Low).
- Disable ones you don’t need immediately by right-clicking and selecting Disable.
This helps because your system is no longer burdened by apps loading that don’t need to be there. On some setups, this feels like night and day — but on others, it can be subtle. Still, worth doing.
Fix 2: Switch Power Plan to High Performance
Windows energy settings often prioritize battery life or quieter operation over speed. If you’re trying to boost performance, switching to a high-performance plan helps your CPU work a little harder for faster response times. This is especially handy if you’re noticing lag, slower app launches, or sluggish games.
- Open Settings > System > Power & sleep.
- Click on Additional power settings (under Related settings).
- Select High performance. If you don’t see it, click on Show additional plans to reveal it.
Beware — this might use a bit more energy, but on desktop machines, that’s usually not a big deal. On laptops, it can drain the battery faster, so keep an eye on that.
Fix 3: Uninstall Bloatware & Unused Apps
Modern Windows installs come with a lot of pre-installed apps you probably don’t use. They can run background processes or just clutter your system, wasting resources. Removing these can sometimes make the OS more responsive, especially if it was bogged down with junk that you don’t need in the first place.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Scroll through and remove anything that’s not essential or that you never use.
- For more stubborn bloatware, you might need to run a PowerShell command to get rid of some built-in apps.(But beware — do it carefully, because it’s not always reversible without resetting.)
This step is kind of a “cleaning out the closet” move. You’ll create more room and fewer background processes, which usually helps the system run a little faster overall.
Fix 4: Keep Windows & Drivers Updated
Outdated software can cause slowdowns, bugs, or compatibility issues. Making sure Windows and all your drivers are up to date is like giving your PC a shot of performance espresso.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install whatever’s available.
Sometimes a driver update, especially for your GPU or chipset, can fix performance issues. If you’re feeling brave, use manufacturer tools like Intel Quick Sync or AMD Radeon Settings to get the latest GPU drivers too.
Fix 5: Use Disk Cleanup to Clear Out Files
Old temp files, system cache, or leftover logs can pile up, just taking space and sometimes slowing down things like Windows Explorer or system scans. Running Disk Cleanup is a fast way to clear out the clutter and give your disk a bit of breathing room.
- Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu search bar.
- Select the drive you want to clean — usually C: — and click OK.
- Check the boxes for things like Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, and System error memory dump files.
- Click Clean up system files if you want to go deeper (be cautious, because this resets some logs and previous Windows updates).
On some systems, clearing out disk clutter can shave seconds off startup or app load times. Yeah, it’s not a huge change, but it adds up.
Once you run through these, Windows 11 should at least feel a bit snappier. No miracle fix, but definitely more responsive and less frustrating.
Tips for Making Windows 11 Faster
- Restart regularly — it clears RAM and refreshes background tasks.
- Keep malware out with a decent antivirus; malware can slow things to a crawl.
- Upgrade RAM if you keep hitting the “slow” wall — sometimes, that’s the bottleneck.
- Turn off fancy visual effects in Performance Options (System > Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance).
- Switch to an SSD if still on HDD; it makes a huge difference in load times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I see which apps are slowing down my startup?
The Task Manager impact ratings are your friends here — check the Startup tab for impact levels and disable the heavy hitters.
Is it safe to disable startup programs?
Yeah, just be careful — don’t mess with essential Windows processes or security software. If you’re unsure, google the program name first.
Will updating Windows really help speed stuff up?
Generally, yes. Updates include fixes, performance tweaks, and security patches that can make your PC more responsive.
What’s bloatware, and why remove it?
Pre-installed apps you don’t use. Removing them clears resources and makes things snappier.
Does disabling visual effects really make a difference?
Especially on older or less powered boxes, yes. Turning those off reduces the GPU and CPU load.
Summary of Steps
- Disable startup programs.
- Switch to high-performance power plan.
- Uninstall unused apps / bloatware.
- Update Windows and drivers.
- Clean up your disk with Disk Cleanup.
Wrap-up
Basically, a mix of disabling stuff you don’t need, keeping everything up to date, and cleaning out the junk can give your Windows 11 a real boost. Honestly, it’s not rocket science — just good old system maintenance. On some machines, these steps kick in right away; on others, might take a little longer to notice the difference. But the overall trend is: less clutter, better speed, happier workflow.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of frustration for someone. A faster Windows is just better for everyone. Good luck, and don’t forget to keep an eye on your system’s health every once in a while!