How to Fix a Slow Windows 11 Computer

Edmund_McGowan

We’ve all been there, the sad moment when our beloved computer that was still pretty new not so long ago starts to slow down. A slow PC can cause us all sorts of problems, from missed deadlines to sadness, frustration, anger, and even computer rage. But before a slow running computer causes you any more issues, how about we take a step back and figure out what’s causing the drop in performance? Once you know what the issue is, then it’ll be easier to decide upon how to fix a slow computer.

So, if you are wondering why is Windows 11 so slow? Or simply want to find out why your computer’s running slow, then you’re in the right place. Today we’re going to furnish you with several key pieces of information to help you return to high speed computing. First we’ll explain why computers slow down with the passing of time, and then provide you with 10 useful ways to sort these issues.

Why is my computer so slow?

Depending on your age, you may or may not have discovered that as things age, they tend to slow down. While an aging computer won’t usually have the same appeal as an antique piece of furniture, or musical instrument, it's perfectly possible to keep your PC running, if you take good care of it. So if your PC is slightly over the hill, what’s behind this slowing down? Firstly let’s consider the hardware under the hood of old faithful. While Windows 11 was only released back in October 2021, in computer technology three plus years is actually quite a long time. Let’s take a look at five of the usual suspects behind your slow-running PC:

• Hard drives, especially traditional (non SSD) spinning hard drives can actually become fragmented over time, meaning that it takes the system longer to access your files and applications.
• If your drivers aren’t regularly updated, then your hardware components won't be functioning at their best, resulting in sub-par overall system performance.
• Accumulation of temp files can consume serious disk space and slow your system down. Without cleaning, these temporary files can build up like dust and dead flies on a mantelpiece, taking up space that wasn’t intended for them!
• Too many background applications that automatically launch every time you turn on your PC cause multiple background processes, consuming system reduces and slowing down your computer.
• Like rabies lying dormant in a dog, viruses and malware may be hiding in old faithful, running background processes that consume resources, resulting in sluggish performance.

It’s perfectly possible that your PC is blighted by more than one of these five horsemen of the slow PC apocalypse. So if you’re still wondering “Why is my Windows 11 so slow?” Then read on to discover ten recommended approaches to fix the pesky problem of a slow Windows 11 PC. 

How to Fix a Slow Windows 11 Computer?

1. Check for system updates. Let’s start with this simple, yet often overlooked solution to a slow Windows 11 computer. While Windows 11 automatically downloads and installs updates, if you wish to take matters into your own hands, simply:

1. Click Start 
2. Select Settings 
3. Select Windows Update 
4. Select Check for updates 
5. Select Download & install

2. Disable unnecessary startup programs. When you startup, all kinds of programs automatically launch, eating up valuable system resources. This leads to slower boot time and reduced efficiency. Review and adjust your startup applications as follows:

1. Click Start 
2. Select Settings 
3. Select Apps 
4. Click Startup  
5. Toggle unnecessary apps to Off

3. Uninstall or disable unnecessary apps and bloatware. Beware of bloating! Bloatware and unnecessary apps can slow you right down, so get rid of unneeded and unwanted software that came pre-installed on your PC. To shed the bloat:

1. Click Start   
2. Select Settings 
3. Select Apps 
4. Go to Installed apps 
5. Browse through the apps and click on the three dots for apps you want to delete. 
6. Select Uninstall 
7. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process

4. Clean up disk space and remove temporary files. Reducing clutter can massively improve the performance of your Windows 11 computer. Temporary files gather over the years from web browsing, system updates, and application installations. These files take up disk space and can lead to fragmentation. Out with the old, in with the new:

1. Type Disk Cleanup in the search bar 
2. Select Disk Cleanup from the results  
3. Select drive (C:), click OK 
4. Select files to delete, click OK 
5. To confirm, click Delete Files

5. Optimize your power settings. Balancing system responsiveness and power consumption can be like walking a tightrope. Depending on what you use your PC for, you may want high performance for speedy operations, or power saving mode if you’re ok with sluggishness. To optimize your power settings:

1. Click Start 
2. Select Settings 
3. Navigate to System > Power & battery 
4. In Power mode section, choose from Best performance, Best power efficiency, or Balanced

6. Adjust visual effects. The automatically enhanced visual experience provided by Windows 11 actually puts great pressure on system resources. By disabling or minimizing visual effects your CPU and GPU will respond faster. To put essential tasks first, and graphics second:

1. Click Start 
2. Select Settings 
3. Navigate to Visual Effects 
4. Turn off Animation effects and/or Transparency effects

7. Scan for virus and malware. Beware of foxes in the henhouse and cows out in the corn, or the viruses and malware lurking in old faithful. Like a dental checkup, regular virus scanning can stop the rot before it sets in. Keep protected:

1. Click Start, select Settings  
2. Navigate to Privacy & security > Windows Security 
3. Click Open Windows Security 
4. Select Virus & threat protection 
5. In the Current threats section, click Quick scan

After the scan completes, Windows Security will display the results. If threats are detected, follow the recommended actions to remove or quarantine them. If you run other antivirus software, follow appropriate instructions.

8. Consider upgrading your parts (RAM, SSD, CPU). Depending on the age of your device, and the purpose of your computer, upgrading the RAM (your PC’s short-term memory), SSD (storage), and CPU (brains of the device) can all contribute to faster performance in your Windows 11 computer. Here’s a guide if you’re curious about how to upgrade your RAM.

9. Check and restart your router. An old favorite, check how your router is performing, and then restart it. This step is especially helpful if internet dependent applications are running slow: fix the Wi-Fi issues, and the problem is solved!

10. Restart your computer. Finally, the classic switch it off and see technique. Sometimes we just need a good night’s rest to see things more clearly. PCs, too, may need a moment of shuteye. So restart your computer, and there’s a chance that the sluggishness will be replaced by the cheetah-like speed you once knew.

A slow start, but a solid finish

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning ways to fix a slow Windows 11 Computer. If you’re still struggling with sluggish speeds, follow the ten steps listed above, and hopefully one or more of them will provide a solution to your PCs slowness. Good luck!

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