12 Ways to Speed Up Windows 11 Instantly

Is your Windows 11 PC feeling sluggish? You are not alone.
Thousands of users report slow Windows 11 performance every day — from delayed boot times to laggy apps and unresponsive menus. In fact, Microsoft itself acknowledged the problem in July 2025 and launched a special logging system to track and fix slowdowns across its user base.
The good news? You do not need to be a tech expert to fix it.
In this guide, you will learn 12 simple, proven ways to speed up Windows 11 — no complicated tools, no risky settings, and no expensive upgrades required. Let’s get your PC running fast again.

Why Is Windows 11 Running Slow?

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what causes Windows 11 performance issues. Common culprits include:

• Too many apps launching at startup
• Outdated drivers or Windows updates
• Visual effects are draining your GPU
• Background apps are eating up RAM and CPU
• A full or fragmented hard drive
• Power settings set to energy-saving mode

Once you know the cause, the fix becomes much easier. Let’s go through each solution step by step.

1. Disable Startup Programs

This is the single most impactful fix for a slow Windows 11 boot time. Many apps quietly load themselves when your PC starts — slowing everything down before you even open a browser.
How to do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the Startup apps tab
3. Right-click any non-essential app and select Disable

Focus on apps you do not use daily — music players, chat apps, cloud sync tools, and gaming launchers are common offenders. Keep your antivirus enabled.

2. Change Your Power Plan for Best Performance

Windows 11 often defaults to a balanced or power-saving mode, which limits your CPU speed. Switching to Best Performance gives your hardware full power.
How to do it:

1. Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery
2. Click Power Mode
3. Select Best Performance from the dropdown

Note for laptop users: This setting drains the battery faster. Use it when plugged in for tasks that need maximum speed.

3. Turn Off Visual Effects

Windows 11 looks great — but all those animations and transparency effects come at a cost. Turning them off can make your PC feel noticeably snappier, especially on older hardware.
How to do it:

1. Press the Windows key and search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.”
2. Open it and select Adjust for best performance
3. Click Apply, then OK

You can also go to Settings > Personalization > Colours and turn off Transparency effects separately.

4. Free Up Disk Space with Storage Sense

A full hard drive slows Windows 11 down more than most people realise. Windows needs free space to run system processes, manage virtual memory, and write temporary files.
How to do it:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage
2. Turn on Storage Sense
3. Click Run Storage Sense now to delete junk files immediately

You can also use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool for a deeper clean, including old system files.
Tip: Aim to keep at least 15% of your drive free at all times for optimal Windows 11 performance.

5. Update Windows and Drivers

LSI keyword: Windows 11 performance
Outdated drivers — especially graphics drivers — are a leading cause of stutters and lag. Similarly, Windows updates often include important performance patches.
How to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates
2. Open Device Manager, expand Display Adapters, right-click your GPU, and select Update driver

Keep in mind that some Windows updates have caused slowdowns (like the December 2025 KB5072033 update). If your PC slows down after an update, you can uninstall it from Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates

6. Disable Background Apps

Many apps run silently in the background even when you are not using them. This wastes RAM and CPU cycles.
How to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
2. Click the three dots next to an app
3. Select Advanced options
4. Under Background apps permissions, set it to Never

Repeat this for any apps you rarely use. The fewer apps running in the background, the faster your system will feel.

7. Use Task Manager’s Efficiency Mode

Windows 11 includes a lesser-known feature called Efficiency Mode in Task Manager. It lowers the priority of background processes,s so your active apps get more resources.
How to do it:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
2. Go to the Processes tab
3. Right-click a background app
4. Select Efficiency Mode

This is especially useful when running heavy software like video editors or games.

8. Delete Temporary Files

Temporary files build up over time and can slow down your system. Clearing them regularly keeps Windows 11 running smoothly.

How to do it:

1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter
2. Select all files (Ctrl + A) and delete them
3. Skip any files that cannot be deleted — they are still in use

You can also run Disk Cleanup and check the box for Temporary files for a faster clean.

9. Upgrade to an SSD (If You Are Still on an HDD)

If your PC still uses a traditional hard drive (HDD), upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single biggest performance boost you can make. A SATA SSD offers read/write speeds of around 500MB/s — roughly five times faster than a standard 5,400 RPM hard drive.
The difference in boot time and app loading is dramatic. Windows 11 was designed to run on SSDs, and older spinning drives simply cannot keep up.

10. Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Virtual memory is space on your hard drive that Windows uses when RAM runs out. If it is too low, your PC will slow to a crawl during demanding tasks.
How to do it:

1. Search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.”
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Virtual memory, click Change
4. Uncheck Automatically manage and set a custom size (1.5x your RAM is a good starting point)
5. Click Set, then OK

11. Disable Search Indexing (On Older PCs)

Windows 11 constantly indexes your files to make searches faster. On older or slower systems, this indexing process can use up significant CPU and disk resources.
How to do it:

1. Search for “Indexing Options” and open it
2. Click Modify and reduce the folders being indexed
3. Or click Advanced > Rebuild to fix a corrupted index

Important: Disabling indexing completely will make file searches slower. Only reduce it if your PC is noticeably sluggish during normal use.

12. Run the Windows PC Manager

Microsoft offers a free tool called PC Manager that combines several optimisation tasks in one place — cleaning temp files, managing startup apps, and monitoring real-time performance.
How to get it:

1. Search for Microsoft PC Manager in the Microsoft Store
2. Download and install it for free
3. Use it weekly for quick maintenance

It is a simple, safe way to keep your system healthy without diving into advanced settings.

Potential Risks to Watch Out For

While these tips are safe, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Do not delete system files — only clear files in the Temp folder or via Disk Cleanup
• Do not disable all startup apps — some are essential for security (e.g., antivirus)
• Be cautious with driver updates — if a new driver causes problems, roll it back via Device Manager
• Check update history — some Windows patches have caused performance issues; monitor forums after major updates

Real Data: Windows 11 Performance in 2025–2026

• According to Statcounter, Windows 11 held 53.7% of active Windows desktop share as of November 2025
• Microsoft launched a dedicated slowdown logging system in July 2025 after widespread user complaints
• The December 2025 cumulative update (KB5072033) caused performance drops for many users due to a background service change
• A SATA SSD is 5x faster than a standard HDD, making it one of the most impactful upgrades you can make

Conclusion

A slow Windows 11 PC does not have to stay slow. By following these 12 steps — from disabling startup apps to optimising your power plan and clearing junk files — you can dramatically improve your Windows 11 performance without spending a penny.
Start with the easiest wins first: disable startup programs, switch to Best Performance mode, and clear your temp files. You will likely notice the difference within minutes.
Ready to go further? Explore more guides on TechBillion for in-depth tips on system optimisation, driver management, and hardware upgrades that keep your PC running at its best.

FAQs

Q1: Why is my Windows 11 PC suddenly slow?
A sudden slowdown is often caused by a recent Windows update, a background app using too many resources, or a full hard drive. Open Task Manager to check CPU and RAM usage, and check Windows Update history to see if a recent patch is the cause.

Q2: How do I speed up Windows 11 without installing anything?
You can speed up Windows 11 using only built-in tools. Disable startup apps via Task Manager, turn off visual effects in Performance Settings, free up disk space with Storage Sense, and switch your power plan to Best Performance — all without downloading any third-party software.

Q3: Does more RAM help with Windows 11 performance?
Yes. Windows 11 runs best with at least 8GB of RAM, and 16GB is recommended for multitasking. If your PC struggles with multiple apps open, a RAM upgrade is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.

Q4: Is it safe to disable startup programs in Windows 11?
Yes, it is safe to disable most startup programs. Avoid disabling your antivirus or any system-critical tools. Focus on apps like Spotify, OneDrive, Discord, or gaming launchers that you do not need immediately at boot.

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