How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2025: 10 Proven Fixes

How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2025: 10 Proven Fixes

Is your laptop running Windows 11 running slower than usual? There are others like you. Over time, the majority of users experience sluggish performance as a result of bloatware, background programs, outdated drivers, or insufficient hardware. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert on computers to fix these issues. We’ll walk you through ten tried-and-true ways to make your Windows 11 laptop faster in 2025 in this guide. These article will help you How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2025 your computer run faster than ever, whether you use it for work, school, or gaming.

Why Does Windows 11 Slow Down Over Time?

Before we move on to the solutions, let’s learn why your Windows 11 laptop is slowing down. Suspects include:

Bloatware: is software that comes pre-installed and uses resources.

Startup Programs: An excessive number of programs are starting up.

Hardware drivers: that are out of date are called “old drivers.”

Low Disk Space: Temporary files and clutter consume your storage.

Background Processes: Programs that you don’t even know are running.

 Malware: Spyware or viruses that slow down a computer.

Let’s talk about options now.

How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2025: 10 Proven Fixes

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

An excessive number of programs loading upon startup is one of the most common causes of a slow laptop. They occupy space and lengthen boot time.

How to Fix It:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Disable programs you don’t need by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

Pro Tip: Only disable programs you recognize. Avoid disabling essential system processes.

2. Uninstall Bloatware

Software that comes pre-installed on your computer is known as bloatware. They typically operate in the shadows and consume valuable resources.

How to Fix It:

Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.

Scroll through the list and uninstall apps you don’t use.

Click Uninstall and follow the prompts.

Pro Tip: Use tools like PC Decrapifier to quickly identify and remove bloatware.

3. Update Windows and Drivers

Compatibility issues and system sluggishness will be brought on by software and drivers that are out of date. Operating system and driver updates guarantee optimal performance.

How to Fix It:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
3. For drivers, visit your laptop manufacturer’s website and download the latest versions.

Pro Tip: Enable automatic updates to ensure you’re always running the latest version.

4. Optimize Power Settings

Power plans integrated into Windows 11 strike a balance between efficiency and performance. Your laptop will probably be sluggish if it is running in power-saving mode.

How to Fix It:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Select High Performance or Balanced mode.
3. Click Change plan settings to customize further.

Pro Tip: Use High Performance mode when plugged in for maximum speed.

5. Clean Up Disk Space

Your laptop’s performance will probably suffer from a lack of disk space. Your storage can be clogged up by temporary files, caches, and outdated downloads.

How to Fix It:

1. Open Disk Cleanup by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
3. Check the boxes for files you want to delete (e.g., Temporary files, Recycle Bin).
4. Click OK and then Delete Files.

Pro Tip: Use Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage) to automate disk clean up.

6. Disable Visual Effects

Windows 11’s animations and graphics effects are fantastic, but they slow down older laptops.

How to Fix It:

1. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance.
3. Select Adjust for best performance or manually disable specific effects.

Pro Tip: Keep Smooth edges of screen fonts enabled for better readability.

7. Scan for Malware

Check for Malware By running malicious processes in the background, malware can significantly slow down your laptop.

How to Fix It:

1. Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Go to Virus & threat protection and run a full scan.
3. Remove any detected threats.

Pro Tip: Use lightweight antivirus software like Malwarebytes for additional protection.

8. Upgrade Hardware (Optional)

Upgrade your laptop’s hardware if it still slows down despite software fixes.

How to Fix It:

• Add an SSD: Replace your HDD with an SSD for faster boot times and file access.
• Increase RAM: Upgrade to at least 8GB or 16GB for multitasking.

Pro Tip: Check your laptop’s specifications to ensure compatibility before upgrading.

9. Use a Lightweight Antivirus

Use a low-level antivirus Antivirus software that is too big can make your computer slow. Your computer may run faster if you upgrade to a light program.

Recommended Tools:

• Windows Defender (built-in)
• Avast Free Antivirus
• Bitdefender Antivirus Free

10. Reset or Reinstall Windows 11

 Reboot or reinstall Windows 11 Recurring issues can be fixed with a new Windows 11 installation as a last resort.

How to Fix It:

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Click Reset this PC and choose Remove everything.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Pro Tip: Back up your data before resetting your laptop.

How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2024: 10 Proven Fixes

Bonus Tips for Maintaining a Fast Laptop

Restarting Quickly: When you reboot, memory is cleared and background processes are stopped.

Limit Browser Tabs: Keeping several open at once uses up memory.

Make Use of Cloud Storage: To free up disk space, move files to the cloud

Conclusion

 A slow Windows 11 laptop need not be a problem for the foreseeable future. You can easily improve the performance of your device and have a more enjoyable experience by using these ten tried-and-true solutions. These are easy steps that are very effective, and they can be followed to disable startup programs, free up disk space, or even upgrade hardware. Did any of these suggestions work for you? Comment down below!

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FAQs: How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 Laptop in 2025: 10 Proven Fixes

1. Why is my Windows 11 laptop so slow after updating?

After a major update, your laptop may slow down due to background processes like indexing, driver compatibility issues, or temporary files from the update. To fix this, try disabling startup programs, cleaning up disk space, and updating your drivers.

2. How do I know if my laptop needs more RAM?

If your laptop frequently freezes, struggles with multitasking, or shows high memory usage in Task Manager (90% or more), it might need more RAM. Upgrading to 8GB or 16GB can significantly improve performance.

3. Can I speed up my laptop without spending money?

Yes! Many fixes, like disabling startup programs, uninstalling bloatware, and optimizing power settings, are completely free. You can also use built-in tools like Disk Clean up and Windows Security to improve performance.

4. Is it safe to disable all visual effects in Windows 11?

Disabling visual effects can improve performance, but it may make your interface less visually appealing. To strike a balance, disable only the effects you don’t need (e.g., animations) while keeping essential ones like font smoothing.

5. How often should I clean up my laptop?

Perform basic maintenance tasks like disk clean up and malware scans once a month. For deeper optimization (e.g., uninstalling unused programs), do it every 3-6 months or whenever you notice performance issues.

6. Will resetting my laptop delete all my files?

Resetting your laptop can delete files if you choose the “Remove everything” option. Always back up important data before resetting. Alternatively, use the “Keep my files” option to reinstall Windows without losing personal data.

7. What’s the difference between an SSD and an HDD?

An SSD (Solid State Drive) is faster, more durable, and uses less power than an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve boot times, file access speeds, and overall system responsiveness.

8. Can malware cause my laptop to slow down?

Yes, malware can consume system resources, run unwanted processes, and even damage your files. Regularly scan your laptop with Windows Security or a trusted antivirus program to detect and remove malware.

9. How do I stop apps from running in the background?

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps.
2. Toggle off apps you don’t want running in the background.

10. Should I upgrade to Windows 11 if my laptop is slow?

If your laptop meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11, upgrading can improve performance due to better optimization. However, if your hardware is outdated, sticking with Windows 10 or upgrading your hardware might be a better option.

11. How can I check which programs are slowing down my laptop?

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Sort by CPU, Memory, or Disk usage to identify resource-heavy programs.

12. What’s the best way to free up disk space on Windows 11?

• Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files.
• Uninstall unused programs.
• Move files to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Enable Storage Sense to automate clean up.

13. Can I speed up my laptop for gaming?

Yes! To optimize your laptop for gaming:

• Update your graphics drivers.
• Close background apps.
• Use a cooling pad to prevent thermal throttling.
• Upgrade to an SSD and add more RAM if possible.

14. How do I stop Windows 11 from automatically updating?

While updates are important, you can pause them temporarily:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Pause updates for 7 days (you can extend this up to 5 weeks).

15. What’s the best antivirus for a slow laptop?

For slow laptops, lightweight antivirus software like Windows Defender, Avast Free Antivirus, or Bitdefender Antivirus Free is recommended. Avoid heavy antivirus programs that consume too many resources.