How to Speed Up Your Computer? (Windows 11)
Nowadays, when many people think about speeding up their work, they think of artificial intelligence. As a general rule, this is a good direction; however, as these tools develop, it is worth learning the basics of working effectively in the environment where this AI is used. The most important thing is, of course, developing “natural intelligence”; the second priority is ensuring a good technical environment. Many AI plugins and new programs can slow down our computer and, consequently, make the entire work more difficult.
Well-functioning hardware is also very important if we want to run AI agents on our own computer or deploy local models.
This article will guide you through various ways to speed up a Windows 11 computer. Some are simple and can be completed in a few minutes, while others require a bit more effort, and still others involve investing in hardware. Each step will be explained in a practical way so that you know exactly what to do.
Table of contents
What to do when restarting, shutting down, and turning on again produces no results?
A classic technical support tip. I used to laugh at them until I reported a problem with my phone’s camera not working properly and, in the first message, received the question: “Have you removed the protective film from the camera?” Even if, in 9 out of 10 cases, the computer is plugged in and has already been restarted, it is still worth reminding people of this.
Therefore, if shutting down and restarting the computer has no effect or only provides a temporary solution, it is a good idea to look for the source of the problem.
The second obvious thing is to close unused programs and browser tabs. Some processes may be running in the background without a window that can be closed; for this, we use the Task Manager.
Files on the desktop
The desktop is the folder that is loaded first. The more files it contains, the more it burdens the system. It is therefore good practice to declutter the desktop by moving files to other folders (and then adding shortcuts to those folders).
Latest Windows Update
The latest Windows updates (from August 12 and 29) were met with a negative reaction from many users, who reported performance and stability issues. Microsoft was expected to fix these problems.
On August 12, update KB5063878 was deployed—a cumulative patch containing more than 100 security fixes (CVEs), including critical fixes for privilege escalation, remote code execution, and other vulnerabilities.
Build 26100.5074 (KB5064081) — adding new features: AI Recall, AI actions in File Explorer, widgets, a stopwatch, and taskbar UI improvements
Basic check: resource usage verification
Task Manager
The first step is to check what is actually slowing down the computer. In Windows 11, the easiest way to do this is through Task Manager. Open it using the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut, then look at the “Processes” tab. If the processor (CPU) is constantly running at 90–100% usage, it’s a sign that one of the programs is putting a heavy load on the system. The same applies to the disk—when disk usage is close to 100%, the system will slow down regardless of how much RAM you have.
The Task Manager can also be opened by right-clicking the taskbar. Task Manager
Background performance
In the “Performance” tab, you’ll find charts for the CPU, memory, disk, and graphics card. Here, you can easily determine whether the computer is actually experiencing a hardware problem or whether a program running in the background is more likely to blame. If the computer is idle but the indicators are still spiking, that’s a sign it’s time to optimize it.
Startup and Background Programs
Disabling Unnecessary Applications
Windows likes to launch many programs along with the system startup. You often don’t notice this until your computer starts running slowly after you turn it on. In Task Manager (the “Startup” tab), you can see which applications launch with the system. Disable anything that isn’t necessary: Spotify, messaging apps, game launchers, or updaters. Leave only your antivirus and the programs you actually need immediately after starting your computer.
Disabling this will take a few dozen seconds, or at most a couple of minutes, and will save a lot of time. For many years, I simply disabled manually the programs that launched at startup. Apart from the time saved by not having to close windows, there is an additional aspect: few people like restarting their computer if they know that after the restart it will run more slowly for a few minutes anyway, because it will be opening additional programs.
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System Services
In addition to applications, various Windows services also start up. Some are necessary, while others run only occasionally. A printer service is one example—if you do not use a printer on a daily basis, you can disable it. The “services.msc” tool is used to manage services. However, caution is advised: disabling random services can have the opposite effect.
What is services.msc?
services.msc
is a built-in Windows administrative tool used to manage system services. You can launch it by typing services.msc in the “Run” dialog (keyboard shortcut Win+R) or by searching for it in the Start menu.
With it, you have a graphical overview of all services running on the system and can control how they are started, their status, and the dependencies between them.
The Disk: The Heart of the System
SSD vs. HDD
The most important component determining a system’s speed is the drive. If your computer still has a hard disk drive (HDD), replacing it with an SSD provides the biggest performance boost. The system starts up several times faster, programs open instantly, and everything runs more smoothly. Even an older computer will feel like new again after installing an SSD.
Disk Condition
Even an SSD can slow down over time if it is full or has errors. To check its health, use the free CrystalDiskInfo program. It will show the temperature, the number of operating hours, and any potential errors. If the drive indicates problems, you should consider backing up your data and replacing it.
Disk Cleanup
Windows has a built-in tool for cleaning up junk files. Simply type “Disk Cleanup” in Start or enter the command in PowerShell.
**cleanmgr**
. After selecting the drive, a list of items to delete will appear: temporary files, the Recycle Bin, thumbnails, or old system installations. Deleting them can free up dozens of gigabytes of space and reduce the load on your computer.
Select what you want to delete (you can safely select almost everything, but be careful with “System installation files” – they can sometimes come in handy after major updates).
RAM Memory and Application Management
How Much RAM Is Needed?
Windows 11 runs properly with just 8 GB of RAM, but in practice, comfortable use starts at 16 GB. If you already have that much RAM, the problem is more likely to lie in how the system manages memory. In Task Manager, you can see which applications are using the most RAM. Browsers such as Chrome and Edge can take up several gigabytes, especially if you have dozens of tabs open.
Freezing Background Applications
Windows 11 introduced a “memory management” feature that freezes background applications so they don’t consume RAM and CPU. You can enable it in Settings, under Power & battery → Resource-saving mode. This is particularly useful on laptops, but it also improves smoothness on desktop computers.
Browser Tabs and Programs Consuming a Lot of RAM
When viewing the task manager, you can see how much memory specific applications are using. In the case of browsers, there is no convenient overview here showing power consumption by individual tabs. This problem can be solved by hovering the mouse over a browser tab.
You may be surprised by how much memory seemingly innocuous websites use. For most websites, 100–200 MB is normal; websites displaying videos use around 300–500 MB, while editors (e.g., Canva) use 400–800 MB.
For example, ClickUp—an application for task management, using a Kanban board similar to Trello and offering many features, including chat—consumes 600 MB–1.2 GB, even when using the simplest features, such as Chat.
Updates and Drivers
Windows Update
System updates can be inconvenient, but they are necessary. Sometimes a computer slows down precisely because it is installing an update in the background. It is worth checking Settings to see whether any updates are pending. Installing them often completes the process and restores the computer’s performance.
Drivers
The second element is hardware drivers. The most important ones are for the motherboard chipset, graphics card, and network card. The latest drivers can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website or installed through Windows Update. A properly functioning driver eliminates many performance issues.
Power Modes and Visual Effects
Power mode
Windows laptops often set the “Balanced” mode, which limits processor power. If you want full performance, set the “High performance” mode in Power Options. On desktop computers, the difference is less noticeable, but it can still help.
Visual Effects
Windows 11 has many animations and visual effects. They are pleasing to the eye, but they put a strain on the system, especially if your graphics card is not the latest. In Control Panel (sysdm.cpl → Advanced → Performance → Settings), you can disable animations and transparency effects. The system will look more modest, but it will gain speed.
Antivirus and Security
System Scanning
A slow computer is sometimes the result of malware. Windows Defender is sufficient for most users, but it’s worth scanning your system from time to time with an additional tool such as Malwarebytes. If something is running in the background without your knowledge, it can consume a huge amount of resources.
Malwarebytes has a free version, but it works somewhat differently from traditional antivirus software:
- Free version – allows you to run manual scans (Quick Scan, Full Scan). It’s a great tool if you want to check your computer from time to time for malware, adware, or Trojans. The downside: it doesn’t run in the background and doesn’t protect you continuously.
- Paid version (Premium) – provides real-time protection (blocking threats before they even run), as well as protection against ransomware, malicious websites, and phishing.
In other words: the free version is a good complement if you use, for example, the built-in Windows Defender. Every now and then, you run Malwarebytes and perform a scan to catch anything that might have slipped through.
Heavy Security Packages
Some antivirus programs work like bloated all-in-one suites and significantly slow down the system. If you notice that your computer performs better without a third-party antivirus active, try switching back to Windows Defender alone—it is lightweight and sufficient.
Benchmarks and Speed Tests
Why Is It Good to Test Your Computer’s Speed?
Subjective impressions are often misleading. That is why it is worth running tests that show actual performance. This allows you to compare whether your computer is performing as it should or falls behind others with a similar configuration.
Popular tools
- UserBenchmark – a quick test of the entire computer, showing comparisons with average scores.
- Cinebench R23 – a processor test that checks performance in computational tasks.
- CrystalDiskMark – a speed test for an SSD or HDD.
- 3DMark – for gamers, measures graphics card performance.
Regularly performing such tests makes it easy to assess whether the computer is running stably and whether there are any slowdowns.
Hardware solutions
Disk Upgrade
The greatest improvement comes from replacing an HDD with an SSD. If you already have an SSD, consider adding a second one—one for the operating system and programs, and the other for data.
RAM Expansion
Although 16 GB is already quite a lot, for people working with large files (e.g., video editing or programming), 32 GB can make a noticeable difference.
Cooling
An overheating processor automatically reduces its clock speed, significantly slowing down the system. It is worth keeping the fans clean, replacing the thermal paste, and improving airflow inside the case. For laptops, cooling pads can be used.
Order in the System
Uninstall unnecessary programs
The more applications you have, the greater the risk that something is running in the background. Review the list of programs in Settings and remove those you do not use.
Defragmentation (for HDDs only)
If you still have a hard disk drive, defragmentation organizes the data logically and speeds up access. In the case of an SSD, this function is not necessary.
Task Schedule
Windows has Task Scheduler, which can run various scripts and services in the background. It is worth checking whether there are any unnecessary entries there that are slowing down the computer.
Summary
Speeding up a computer is not a single action, but a whole series of steps. First, you need to check exactly what is slowing it down—CPU, disk, RAM, or perhaps background programs. Then you can optimize it: disable startup programs, clean up the disk, update drivers, turn off unnecessary visual effects, and scan the system. If that does not help, it is worth considering a hardware upgrade: an SSD, more RAM, or better cooling.
Every computer is different, so there is no single magic formula. The most important thing is to proceed step by step, test the results, and monitor the performance. That way, you can be sure that your Windows 11 is running as fast as your hardware allows.