Are you clicking on your computer and then waiting… and waiting? And it always seems to happen when you’re most stressed, facing the biggest deadline. If a Windows 11 computer that once felt fast has gradually become slow and unresponsive, there is usually no need to replace it. In a lot of cases, the following simple steps can help speed a machine back up to where it should be.
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1. Check your laptop’s startup programs
If you Win 11 laptop is taking ages to boot up, this is often the most effective fix and it takes only a few minutes. Many software applications configure themselves to launch automatically when the computer starts, regardless of whether this is actually necessary or you, the user wants that. To investigate:
- Right-click the taskbar and open Task Manager
- Select the Startup apps tab
- For any application marked “High impact” that does not need to run immediately — such as background updaters or unnecessary utilities — right-click and select Disable
This does not delete the application; it simply prevents it from launching automatically. Doing this alone can noticeably reduce start-up time, so its definitely worth a try.
2. Identify what is consuming system resources
This step can be confusing for non-technical users, so if in doubt, ask PC Mac Fix to help!
Sometimes the issue is not related to start-up at all, but rather a particular process consuming resources while you are trying to work.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
- Sort processes by CPU usage, then check Memory and Disk as well
- If an unfamiliar process is consistently using significant resources, it is worth researching it before taking action. If it is a program you recognise and no longer need, consider closing it or uninstalling it properly. Again, if you’re unsure of what to do here, give us a call on 0203 518 0814.
For some older hard drives, it can be worth “defragmenting” your drive. To do this, search ‘Defragment and Optimise Drives’, select your drive and click Optimise to start the process.
Case Study
Recently, someone living just round the corner from our PC Mac Fix Kensington office popped in on the off chance. They were convinced that their 3 year old Lenovo laptop was only good for the dump. Indeed, younger relatives had already turned their noses up at a gift of the machine! Our engineers quickly realised that the laptop still had many more years of useful life ahead of
3. Allow the Windows update to complete fully
Updates can be inconvenient and often seem to pop up at exactly the wrong moment, but one left partially installed in the background can have a noticeable effect on performance. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update and allow any pending updates to finish. It is also worth restarting the computer properly from time to time, rather than simply closing the lid — a full restart genuinely does improve performance.
4. Reduce visual effects
Windows 11 includes a range of animations and transparency effects that, while visually appealing, can place additional strain on older or lower-specification machines.
- Search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” in the Start menu
- Select Adjust for best performance, or choose individual settings to disable (retaining smoothed font edges is generally advisable, as text can otherwise appear noticeably jagged)
5. Free up storage space
A nearly full drive can significantly affect performance, particularly on smaller solid-state drives commonly found in more affordable laptops.
- Go to Settings > System > Storage
- Enable Storage Sense, which automatically clears temporary files and empties the recycle bin
- It is also worth reviewing the Downloads folder, which tends to accumulate a considerable amount of unnecessary content over time
6. Check for malware and unnecessary pre-installed software
Computers purchased from retailers often come with a range of pre-installed software that is rarely used, commonly referred to as “bloatware” – removing this can help free up resources. It is also worth running a scan using Windows Security or MalwareBytes to rule out any malicious software operating in the background.
7. Manage browser tabs
Many of do it – we leave 10s of browser windows open, ready to read or for further reference late. The trouble is that browsers such as Chrome and Edge can consume a considerable amount of memory, and having a large number of tabs open simultaneously will slow down even a well-specified computer. Using a tab management extension, or simply closing tabs that are no longer needed, can make a lot of difference.
8. If all else fails, consider a hardware upgrade
If your machine is still running slowly, despite following the steps above, the hardware in your machine itself may simply be at the limit of what you’re asking it to do. The most impactful upgrade for most users is replacing a traditional hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD), or adding additional RAM where the device supports it. Get in touch with PC Mac Fix and we’ll check if your machine can handle an upgrade / what your options are
In summary: most cases of a slow Windows 11 computer are not the result of a fault, but rather an accumulation of unnecessary background processes and clutter. Reviewing start-up programs, clearing storage, and allowing updates to complete properly will often produce a noticeable improvement within a short period. If performance issues persist after these steps, it may be a sign that the hardware has reached the end of its practical lifespan.
