Is your laptop running painfully slow? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix a slow laptop using 10 simple and effective methods that work on both Windows 10 and 11.
1. Restart Your Laptop
A simple restart can clear temporary files and refresh system processes. If your laptop has been on for days, restarting it may instantly boost performance.
2. Disable Startup Programs
Too many startup programs slow down boot time.
How to do it:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Go to the Startup tab
- Right-click unnecessary apps and choose Disable
3. Uninstall Unused Software
Old and unused apps take up disk space and may run background processes.
Go to Settings > Apps, then uninstall anything you don’t use.
4. Free Up Disk Space
Use built-in tools like:
- Disk Cleanup (search in Start)
- Storage Sense: Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn it on
This helps remove temporary files and system clutter.
5. Turn Off Visual Effects
Fancy animations and shadows can make your system feel slower.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
sysdm.cpl, press Enter - Go to Advanced > Settings (under Performance)
- Select Adjust for best performance
6. Scan for Malware
Malware or spyware can slow down your laptop.
Use Windows Security or a free tool like Malwarebytes to run a full system scan.
7. Update Windows and Drivers
Always keep your system and drivers up to date.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
- For drivers: Right-click Start > Device Manager, update important components like display, audio, and network drivers
8. Add More RAM
If your laptop has less than 8GB of RAM, it may not handle multitasking well. Check your laptop’s specs and consider upgrading RAM if possible.
9. Upgrade to SSD
Still using a hard drive (HDD)? Upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) dramatically boosts speed.
Benefits of SSD:
- Faster boot and load times
- Improved overall performance
- Lower power consumption
10. Reset Windows (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, reset Windows to start fresh.
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery
- Click Reset this PC and follow the steps
(Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything — don’t forget to back up important data.)
Extra Tips to Keep Your Laptop Fast
- Restart your laptop regularly
- Avoid installing unknown apps
- Keep your browser extensions minimal
- Use cloud storage to free up local disk space
- Close unused programs and tabs
Conclusion
You don’t need to buy a new computer to solve speed issues. Now that you know how to fix a slow laptop, apply these simple tips and enjoy faster performance on your Windows 10 or 11 device.
