Windows 11 Running Slow? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Too many apps starting automatically and running in the background
• Limited storage space on your drive
• Outdated software
• Many apps or browser tabs open at once
• Visual effects using system resources
• Malware using CPU and disk resources
• Older hardware that no longer meets modern performance needs

Step-by-Step Solutions

Try these steps in order, check how your PC runs after each one, and leave resetting your PC for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Close apps you don’t need and restart

   Many open apps or browser tabs can slow your PC down.

   Close any apps or browser tabs you don’t need. To see what’s using your PC’s resources, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. On the Processes tab, right-click and close the apps you aren’t using. The Performance and Startup apps tabs help you find what’s using high resources.

   If your PC is still slow, select Start, then Power, then Restart. After the restart, open only the apps you need and close them when you’re done.

2. 2

   Step 2: Install Windows updates and optional updates

   Windows updates often include fixes and performance improvements.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates. If any updates are available, select Download & install.

   If the status is You’re up to date, check optional updates too. An optional update, like a new non-critical driver, may help. Select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update, then Advanced options, then Optional updates. If any are available, select them and then select Download & install.

   Good to know

   Your PC may restart to finish installing updates. If you’re prompted to restart, do so to apply them.

3. 3

   Step 3: Turn off startup apps you don’t need

   Apps that start automatically can slow startup and add background activity.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Apps, then Startup. For each app you don’t need right away, set the toggle to Off. That stops it from starting automatically.

   Task Manager shows the same list with more detail, including the impact each app has on startup. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click Start and select Task Manager, then select Startup apps. Right-click an app you don’t need and select Disable.

   Good to know

   In Task Manager, High Impact means an app uses more than 1 second of CPU time or more than 3 megabytes of disk activity at startup.

4. 4

   Step 4: Stop apps from running in the background

   Some apps keep running even when you aren’t using them.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps. Find the app, select More options (…), then select Advanced options. Under Background app permissions, in the Let this app run in the background list, select Never.

   Turning off notifications you don’t need can also give small performance improvements. Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Notifications, and turn off notifications for those apps.

5. 5

   Step 5: Free up storage space

   Low disk space can slow your PC and make updates harder to install.

   To see how much space is left, select File Explorer on the taskbar, then select This PC. The available space appears under Devices and drives.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Storage. Then use one of these:

   • Storage Sense: select Storage Sense, then Run Storage sense now. It removes items you don’t need, like temporary files and items in your Recycle Bin, and works on your system drive, usually C:.
   • Temporary files: select Temporary files, check the files you want to remove, then select Remove files.
   • Cleanup recommendations: review Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud and Unused apps, select only the items you no longer need, then select Clean up for each section.
   • Apps you no longer use: select Start, then Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps. Select More options (…) next to an app, then Uninstall.

   Good to know

   If it’s been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded Windows, your previous version of Windows is listed as a system file you can delete. Deleting it can’t be undone, and you won’t be able to go back to your previous version of Windows. If you delete personal files, empty the Recycle Bin to free up the space.

6. 6

   Step 6: Set the power mode to Best performance

   Best performance can help the CPU run at higher performance when needed.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Power & battery. Under Power mode, select Best performance.

   If you can’t change the power mode, a custom power plan might be selected. Open Control Panel, select System and Security, then Power Options, then select Balanced.

   Good to know

   Best performance uses more power. On a laptop, it drains the battery more quickly and may make the laptop run warmer, so use it when power isn’t a concern.

7. 7

   Step 7: Adjust visual effects for best performance

   Windows 11 visual effects use system resources.

   Select Start, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows and open it. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance.

8. 8

   Step 8: Scan for malware

   Malware can use CPU and disk resources and slow your PC.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Privacy & security, then Windows Security, then Virus & threat protection. Select Quick scan.

9. 9

   Step 9: Optimize your drives

   Optimizing your hard drive can improve PC performance.

   Select Start, type Defragment and Optimize Drives and open it. Select the drive you want to optimize, then select Optimize.

10. 10

    Step 10: Reset your PC and keep your files

    Resetting reinstalls Windows and can help when you’re still having performance issues.

    Try this last. Keep my files reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, such as documents and photos, but removes apps and settings.

    Back up important files first. If your device is encrypted, make sure you have your BitLocker recovery key.

    Open the Settings app, select System, then Recovery. Under Recovery options, select Reset PC, choose Keep my files and follow the on-screen instructions.

    Good to know

    Your screen might go black for a long time during the reset, occasionally more than 15 minutes, and your PC might restart itself. Don’t restart it yourself, because that could cause the reset to fail.

Frequently Asked Questions