How to improve Windows 11 performance

Introduction

Windows 11 is a modern, feature-rich operating system, but over time it can become slow due to unnecessary applications, background processes, and suboptimal settings. You don’t need to use external software to speed up Windows 11: you can optimize performance by directly adjusting system settings and managing available resources.

This guide explains the most effective ways to speed up Windows 11, from automatic startup settings to disabling non-essential services, disk cleanup, power optimization, and system component maintenance. By following these practical steps, users can make Windows 11 faster, more stable, and more efficient in every day-to-day situation, significantly improving their computer experience.

1. Managing installed applications

Choose which applications to start when Windows boots up

Many applications start automatically when the user turns on the computer, even if they are not used frequently. This consumption of resources at boot time significantly slows down startup times and reduces overall system performance.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Task Manager application, then open it;
2. In the side menu, click on Startup Apps, and a list of applications will be displayed;
3. Select an application and press the Disable button. This will prevent it from starting automatically when you turn on your PC. Repeat the procedure for all unwanted applications.

Uninstall unused applications

Over time, users accumulate programs that are used only occasionally or have been completely forgotten. These programs take up disk space and, more importantly, run background processes that consume RAM and CPU. Uninstalling unused applications is one of the first steps to a faster, more responsive system and to freeing up valuable hard disk space.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Settings application, then open it;
2. In the side menu, click on Apps and then on Installed Apps. A list of applications will be displayed;
3. Tap on … to the right of an application and select Uninstall. This will remove the application from Windows. Repeat the process for all unwanted applications you wish to uninstall.

2. Run an antivirus scan

A system infected with malware or viruses is one of the most common reasons why Windows 11 runs slowly and is unstable. Many users do not realize that malicious files and processes running in the background consume significant system resources, compromising the overall performance of the computer. A full scan is the most effective method for detecting and removing hidden threats.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Windows Security application, then open it;
2. On the home page, click on Virus and threat protection, then on Scan options;
3. The virus scan may take several hours to complete, during which time your PC will run slowly. When it is finished, a notification will appear indicating whether malware was detected and the action that was taken or needs to be taken.

3. Cleaning temporary files and defragmenting the disk

Over time, Windows 11 accumulates numerous temporary files and the hard drive naturally becomes fragmented, causing a significant slowdown in system performance. To speed up Windows 11, users should regularly clean up Windows and application temporary files, as well as defragment the hard drive. These basic steps will free up valuable disk space, reduce file access times, and greatly improve the overall responsiveness of your computer in the long run.

Cleaning temporary files

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Settings app, then open it;
2. In the side menu, click on System, then on Storage, and then select Temporary Files;
3. Wait for the page to finish loading. Select all items, paying attention to the Recycle Bin and Downloads folders, as these may contain important files that should not be deleted. Choose carefully;
4. Press the Remove files button at the top of the page to start removing files. The process may take several minutes, and a message will be displayed when it is complete.

Disk defragmentation

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Defragment and Optimize Drives application, then open it;
2. From the list of available disks, select the one where Windows is installed (typically named (C:)) and click on the Analyze button. When finished, click on Optimize. If the Analyze button is not available, click directly on Optimize.

4. Install Windows and driver updates

Windows updates include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements that optimize the operating system’s performance. Similarly, updated drivers ensure that all of your computer’s hardware components work efficiently and without conflicts. Regularly installing Windows and driver updates is therefore an essential step in keeping your system fast, stable, and secure over time.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for the Settings app, then open it;
2. In the side menu, click on Windows Update. On the page that opens, click on the Check for updates button at the top left (alternatively, there may be an Install or Restart button) and wait for the search to finish. At this point, install all available updates by clicking on Install now. When finished, click on Restart if prompted;
3. When you have finished, restart your PC.