You’ve finally upgraded to Windows 11, the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft guaranteed to transform your digital life.
At least that’s what the marketing promised. Now that you’ve had it for a few weeks, the harsh reality is setting in. Your computer seems slower than the DMV line on a Monday morning. Apps take an eternity to open, the system randomly hangs for no reason, and you find yourself longing for the relative speed and stability of Windows 95. Fear not, you’re not alone and there is hope. We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to speeding up Windows 11 and restoring a pep to your PC’s step. By the time you’ve implemented a few of our tips, that fancy new OS will be running as fast as a caffeinated cheetah. Your patience and sanity will thank us. Read on to unleash the true potential of Windows 11!
Disable Visual Effects
To speed up your shiny new Windows 11 PC, it’s time to disable those pesky visual effects. After all, who needs transparent windows or smooth fonts when you’ve got important cat videos to stream?
- Open the Control Panel (or search for it, since Microsoft hides it who knows why). Click “System and Security.”
- Select “System” and then “Advanced system settings.” Ooh, advanced! This is where the real magic happens.
- Click the “Settings” button under “Performance.” Time to transform your PC into a lean, mean, productivity machine.
- Uncheck “Visual Effects” like “Show shadows under windows” or “Show window contents while dragging.” Those are for amateurs.
- Uncheck “Smooth edges of screen fonts” too. Who needs professional-looking typography? Not you, you digital renegade.
- Click “OK” and restart your PC. Your Windows 11 experience may now resemble Windows 95, but at least it’s fast! You’ve hacked the system, you sly dog. Now go open some more cat videos—you’ve earned it!
How’s that for some irreverent tech support? Your Windows 11 PC may not actually run noticeably faster, but at least you had some fun along the way. And really, isn’t that what computing is all about?
Uninstall Unused Programs and Apps
To speed up your Windows 11 machine, it’s time for some digital decluttering. Uninstall those unused apps and programs
hogging your storage space - your computer will thank you.
- First, open the Start menu and click the gear icon to access Settings. Select “Apps & features” from the list. This will show you a list of all installed apps on your PC.
- Now for the fun part: deciding what stays and what goes. That sudoku app you haven’t opened since 2011? Gone. The language learning software you were sure you’d use daily but didn’t? Adios. Free up your storage by giving the heave-ho to anything you haven’t used in eons.
- Don’t worry, you can always reinstall apps if needed. And think of it this way: do you really need 37 different solitaire games installed at once? Didn’t think so. A little moderation never hurt anyone.
- Once you’ve trimmed the fat, do a quick reboot. Your PC will now have more storage space and fewer background processes running, so you’ll likely notice an improvement in speed and performance. All from a little digital spring cleaning - now wasn’t that therapeutic? Your Windows 11 machine will be running faster in no time thanks to your decluttering efforts. Marie Kondo would be so proud!
Run Disk Cleanup and Defragmentation
To get your Windows 11 machine zipping along, it’s time for the digital equivalent of cleaning out the attic and reorganizing the garage. Disk Cleanup will toss out all the useless junk files cluttering up your drive, while Disk Defragmenter will move everything into tidy little rows for speedier access.
Run Disk Cleanup
Windows generates lots of temporary files as it putters along, but never actually gets around to taking out the trash. Disk Cleanup to the rescue! It’ll wipe away web browser cache, downloaded program files, temporary internet files, and other assorted bits of useless data detritus. Think of it as a quick tidy to free up space and help your PC run more swimmingly.
Defragment Your Hard Drive
Over time, the files on your hard drive get scattered into fragments all over the place, which slows down your computer’s read/write speed. Disk Defragmenter consolidates all those fragments back together into contiguous chunks so your hard drive can access them faster. Defragmenting won’t magically transform your aging machine into a brand-new hot rod, but it can provide a little extra oomph and responsiveness.
While you’re at it, you might as well also:
- Uninstall any unused programs. The more stuff installed, the more your PC has to keep track of.
- Limit background apps. The fewer apps running in the background, the more resources are freed up for you.
- Consider an SSD. If you really want to speed things up, solid-state drives leave hard disk drives in the dust.
A squeaky clean, finely tuned machine and an uncluttered drive will have your Windows 11 PC running as quickly and quietly as a cat burglar. Well, maybe not that quiet, but you get the idea. Take out the trash, consolidate the fragments, uninstall the freeloaders, and turn off the hangers-on for a faster, peppier PC.
Adjust Your Virtual Memory Settings
Adjust Your Virtual Memory Settings
Have you ever felt like your Windows 11 PC is slower than a three-legged turtle in a sea of peanut butter? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. One easy fix is to adjust your virtual memory settings. Virtual memory is space on your hard drive that Windows uses as temporary storage when your RAM fills up.
By default, Windows 11 manages your virtual memory settings automatically. But if you’re the DIY type, you can tweak these settings yourself. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel and click “System”.
- Select “Advanced system settings” on the left.
- Click the “Settings” button under “Performance”.
- Select the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under “Virtual memory”.
At this point, you’ll see some big scary numbers. Don’t panic! Just move the slider for your C: drive to the right to increase the size. I usually set it to 1.5 times the amount of RAM in my system. So if you have 8 gigabytes of RAM, set it to 12 gigabytes.
Click “Ok” and “Ok” again to save the settings. Restart your computer and Windows 11 should now have more temporary storage to play with, speeding up your system. If you don’t notice much difference, you can try increasing it more. But be careful not to go too high, or Windows may start using your hard drive as memory and really slow things down.
Who knew a few simple clicks could turn your turtle of a PC into a cheetah? Now get out there and speed through your tasks before the effects wear off!
Tweak Your Power Settings
When it comes to speeding up your Windows 11 PC, one of the easiest things you can do is adjust your power settings. Windows comes with some questionable default settings that sap performance to eke out a few extra minutes of battery life. Time to take back control!
Tweak Your Power Settings
Have you ever felt like your laptop was wading through molasses trying to open a program? Chances are Windows was throttling your CPU into oblivion to “save power.” Head to the Control Panel and click “Power Options.” Select “High performance” to unleash your processor from its energy-saving shackles. Your PC will now run at full throttle, with apps and tasks completed in the blink of an eye.
Feeling reckless? Click “Change plan settings” and crank the slider under “Processor power management” to 100%. This will keep your CPU running at maximum power at all times. Great for performance, but not so great for your electric bill or laptop battery life. Use sparingly!
For the ultimate in responsiveness, head to “Advanced power settings” and change “Processor idle disable” to 0%. This will prevent your CPU from ever idling, keeping it primed and ready to pounce on any task you throw its way. Your PC will now run quicker than a jackrabbit on a hot date. Enjoy the speed, but keep an eye on your temperatures—all that power comes at a cost!
With a few simple tweaks to your power profile, you’ll have your Windows 11 PC running faster than a caffeinated cheetah. Just be sure not to push the settings too far, or you might end up with an overheated paperweight!
Update Device Drivers
To get your Windows 11 machine running as fast as a cheetah chasing a gazelle, you’ll need to update those dusty old device drivers. Think of device drivers as the conductors of the orchestra that is your PC—without them, the tubas start playing out of tune, the violins veer off-key, and the percussion section just starts banging on things at random.
Update Your Graphics Card Driver
The graphics card driver is the Steven Spielberg of your device drivers. It’s responsible for rendering all the visuals, graphics, and cinematic experiences on your screen. If it’s out of date, you may experience lagging, freezing, or little colorful artifacts partying on your display like it’s 1999. Head to your graphics card manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver and install it to avoid these unwanted raves.
While updating your drivers, you may want to grab some popcorn, your favorite snack, or beverage of choice. This thrilling process can take a few minutes, and we wouldn’t want you getting hangry in the middle of it. Once the updates are installed, restart your PC to ensure all the new driver’s load properly. Your Windows 11 machine should now be running faster than a cheetah who drank too much coffee.
If updating the drivers doesn’t do the trick, you may need to consider more drastic measures, like reinstalling Windows, adding more RAM, or just embracing the slowness—in true sloth-like fashion. But we’ll save those adventures for another guide. For now, keep those device drivers up to date and let the speed flow through you!
Change File Explorer Settings
To speed up your Windows 11 experience, you’ll want to make some changes to File Explorer, the built-in file management tool. While the latest version has some slick animations, all those fancy transitions can slow things down.
Turn off File Explorer animations
File Explorer’s animations may look pretty, but they’re hogging your system resources. To disable them:
- Open File Explorer
- Click the “View” tab
- Uncheck the box next to “Show animations when windows are opened or closed”
Voila, no more waiting for folders to slide open with a dramatic flourish. Everything will now open and close instantly, freeing up valuable milliseconds of your life that were previously wasted waiting on needless animations.
Change the default File Explorer view
The default File Explorer view shows big thumbnail previews of all your files, which means it has to load an image for each and every file. Switch to a simpler view like “Details” or “List” to avoid this pointless drain on resources.
While you’re at it, go ahead and turn off the preview pane. Do you really need to see a preview of each file as you click through them? I didn’t think so. Disabling the preview pane is like installing a turbocharger for your File Explorer.
With these tweaks to File Explorer, you’ll be zipping through folders and finding your files in record time. At this rate, you might even have a few spare seconds left over to contemplate the meaning of life or something equally profound. But probably not. There are too many cat videos to watch, after all.
Disable Background Apps
To speed up your Windows 11 experience, you’ll want to put an end to those pesky background apps that are constantly running in the shadows, siphoning away your computer’s resources.
Go on an app hunt
Like an overzealous park ranger, you need to track down any apps that are operating without a permit (your permission, that is) in the background. Open the Start menu and select “Settings”, then click “Apps & features”. Scroll through the list to find any apps you don’t recognize—these interlopers are likely culprits. Select them one by one and choose “Advanced options”, then toggle “Allow app to run background tasks” to off.
Be an equal opportunity disabler
Don’t play favorites here—you’ll want to disable background activity for all apps, not just the suspicious ones. Head to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Background apps” and turn the master switch off. This will prevent any and all apps from running amok when you’re not looking. Your computer’s resources are not an all-you-can-eat buffet, after all.
Exceptions to the rule
Some apps, like security software, actually need to run in the background to function properly. You’ll want to specifically enable background activity for essential apps like Windows Security. But for most others, it’s best to take a “guilty until proven innocent” approach.
Freeing up your computer’s resources by reining in rogue background apps is one of the simplest ways to make Windows 11 run faster and smoother. Your processor, memory, and battery life will thank you. Happy app hunting!
Debloat Windows 11
Banish Bloatware
Windows 11 comes with more preinstalled apps than you can shake a stick at. While some are useful, many are just cluttering up your system and slowing things down. It’s time for a spring cleaning!
Go through the list of installed apps and get rid of anything you don’t recognize or haven’t used in the last 6 months. Those random games, streaming services you don’t subscribe to, and obscure system tools can all take a hike. Right-click and select “Uninstall” or “Remove” to banish them from your PC forever.
If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can also disable some of the built-in Windows 11 apps like Weather, News, and even the Microsoft Store. While this may seem extreme, your CPU and RAM will thank you for the extra breathing room. Just don’t go overboard and disable anything crucial like File Explorer or the Start Menu. Moderation is key!
A clean, decluttered system is a happy, high-performing system. Do some digital spring cleaning and get rid of the bloatware bogging down your Windows 11 PC. Your patience and productivity will improve as a result. Out with the old, in with the new…or in this case, out with the useless!
Delete Temporary Files
To speed up your Windows 11 PC, it’s time for some digital decluttering. Delete those temporary files cluttering up your hard drive like an episode of Hoarders.
Clear Your Cache
Your browser cache stores website data and images so pages load faster. But over time, it fills up with useless junk that slows things down.
- In Chrome, open Settings > Privacy and Security> Clear browsing data. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data” and click “Clear data.”
- In Firefox, go to Options > Privacy & Security > Clear your recent history. Select “Cache” and “Cookies” and click “Clear Now.”
- In Edge, open Settings and More> View advanced settings > Choose what to clear. Check “Cached data and files” and “Cookies and saved website data” and select “Clear.”
Voila, your browser is decluttered and running like new. Now you’ll have to re-enter passwords and captchas galore but think of it as mental stimulation.
Empty the Recycle Bin
That little trash icon holds deleted files that take up space. Right-click it and select “Empty Recycle Bin” to free up storage. Watch as your hard drive space increases before your eyes, like a reverse gas gauge.
Defragment Your Drives
As you use your PC, files get fragmented and spread across your hard drive, slowing things down. Defragmenting consolidates these files so your computer can access them faster.
- Open the Start menu and search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives.”
- Select your C: drive and click “Optimize.” This can take a while, so grab a snack or take a walk.
- Once complete, your drive will be neatly organized and run efficiently. Treat yourself to a gold star for your achievement.
With a decluttered browser, emptied recycle bin, and defragmented drive, your Windows 11 PC will be zipping along in no time. Now go reward yourself by streaming cat videos or whatever else sparks joy!
Disable Notifications and Tips
To speed up your Windows 11 experience, you’ll want to turn off those pesky notifications and tips. They may seem helpful at first, but soon become an annoyance popping up at the most inopportune times.
Disable Notifications
Windows 11 will alert you to software updates, security issues, and more. While important, these pop-ups can interrupt your workflow or gaming session at the worst possible moment. To disable notifications:
- Open Settings and select “System”
- Choose “Notifications & actions” from the left menu.
- Toggle the switch next to “Get notifications from apps and other senders” to the off position.
- Revel in the blissful silence and lack of pop-ups.
Turn Off Tips
The “Helpful tips” feature provides suggestions to “enhance your experience.” If by “enhance” they mean “frequently disrupt,” then mission accomplished! To turn off tips:
- Open Settings and select “System”
- Select “Tips” from the left menu.
- Toggle “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions when you use Windows” to off.
- Windows 11 will now keep its tips to itself and let you work (or play) in peace.
Disabling notifications and tips in Windows 11 may seem like a trivial matter, but can significantly improve your productivity and enjoyment. No more unexpected alerts breaking your concentration or spoiling the mood during movies and games. While the suggestions are well-intentioned, sometimes what you need most is a little less “help” and a lot more peace and quiet.
Disable OneDrive syncing
OneDrive: The Cloud Storage That Could (But Won’t)
OneDrive is Microsoft’s built-in cloud storage solution that syncs your files between devices. While convenient in theory, in practice OneDrive can slow down your Windows experience. All those little syncing notifications, background processes, and bandwidth usage add up.
If you’re the type who has 37 tabs open at once and likes to live life on the edge of your CPU’s capabilities, OneDrive is not your friend. It’s constant checking for updates and syncing in the background is like an overeager puppy, always underfoot and tripping you up when you’re trying to get things done.
The solution? Show OneDrive the door. Disabling the syncing feature will free up system resources and let your computer run free as the wind, no longer tethered to the cloud. Your files will stay safely stored in OneDrive in case you need them, but Windows won’t waste time endlessly syncing them in the background.
To disable OneDrive:
- Open the OneDrive desktop app.
- Click the blue cloud icon in your system tray or taskbar.
- Select “Settings” > “Account” tab.
- Toggle the switch next to “Sync OneDrive files to this PC” to turn it off.
- Click “Apply” to confirm.
Like an overbearing relative who comes to visit but won’t leave, OneDrive syncing has overstayed its welcome. Disabling it is like finally shutting the door behind them as they go—your system will breathe a sigh of relief and thank you for its newfound freedom. Enjoy the extra pep in your PC’s step!
Disable/Turn off Search Indexing
Disable Search Indexing for a Speedier Windows
Windows 11 loves to index everything on your PC so it can quickly search your files, apps, settings, and the web. Unfortunately, all that indexing hogs system resources and slows things down. To get a peppier PC, you’ll want to turn off search indexing.
Like an overeager puppy, Windows 11’s search function enthusiastically indexes everything it can get its paws on. All your documents, photos, emails, and more are cataloged and cross-referenced so Windows can instantly find whatever you search for. The problem is, that kind of meticulous indexing requires a lot of CPU power and memory. By disabling search indexing, you free up system resources for the things you actually care about, like gaming, editing video, or just browsing cute cat GIFs.
To turn off search indexing in Windows 11 and give your PC a speed boost, open the Control Panel and select “Indexing Options.” (The Control Panel can be found by searching for it in the taskbar search box.) In the Indexing Options window, click “Modify” next to “Indexing locations.” Deselect the checkbox next to each location to disable indexing for that folder. For maximum speed, deselect all locations. Click “OK” and your PC will stop indexing. Your searches may be a bit slower, but your overall system performance will perk right up.
Disabling search indexing is an easy way to streamline Windows 11 and speed up your PC. With search indexing turned off, your CPU and memory will be freed from the demanding task of cataloging and cross-referencing all your files. The end result is a faster, more responsive Windows experience—and more resources left over for the things that really matter to you.
Disable Start-up Programs
Disable Start-up Programs
Windows 11 loads a bunch of programs automatically when you start your PC to “help” you. Help you with what, exactly? Annoying pop-ups, constant software updates, and draining your system resources? No thanks.
To speed up your boot time, go to the Start-up tab in Task Manager and disable anything you don’t use, like Skype, Spotify, or shudder Cortana. While you’re at it, uninstall any unused apps altogether. The fewer programs running in the background, the faster your system will run.
If you’re feeling really rebellious, you can disable services like “Connected User Experiences and Telemetry”. This will stop Microsoft from collecting your data to “improve the Windows experience”. Improved for whom, Microsoft’s marketing team? Disable away!
You should also go to Settings > Apps & Features and turn off “Suggested Apps”. Windows 11 will no longer so helpfully suggest random apps you don’t want, like Candy Crush Saga (no one needs that).
In all seriousness, pruning start-up programs and uninstalling bloatware are two of the easiest ways to speed up Windows 11. Take back control of your PC and disable or remove anything wasting your resources. Your boot time and overall performance will thank you.
Disable VBS
To speed up your Windows 11 PC, you’ll want to disable VBS or Virtualization-based Security. This feature uses virtualization to isolate certain system processes from the rest of the operating system. The idea is to prevent malware from compromising critical system functions, even if it infects your PC.
The Problem with VBS
While the goal of VBS is admirable, it comes at a cost to performance. Virtualization requires resources like CPU cycles, memory, and disk space to function. On lower-end hardware, this can noticeably slow down your system. Unless you’re frequently visiting the sketchier corners of the web, the security benefits probably aren’t worth the performance hit for most casual users.
Disabling VBS
To turn off VBS and reclaim those lost CPU cycles, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and select “Windows Security”.
- Click “Device security” then “Core isolation details”.
- Toggle the switch next to “Memory integrity” to turn it off.
- Reboot your PC.
Once your system restarts, VBS will be disabled and you should notice snappier performance, especially on older or lower-powered hardware. Of course, without VBS your system may be slightly more vulnerable to certain types of malware. But for the average user browsing reputable websites, the risk is negligible.
If at any point you get nostalgic for the days of slower performance and slightly better security, you can always return to the Windows Security app and turn Memory integrity back on. Your PC will reboot once more and VBS will again be enabled, for better or for worse. The choice is yours!
Upgrade PC Hardwares
Upgrading your PC’s hardware is the nuclear option for speeding up Windows 11. If all else has failed and your machine is still chugging along slower than a snail in molasses, it may be time for some new gear.
CPU
That Intel Celeron processor seemed like a good idea at the time, but now Windows 11 is giving it a workout and your PC is wheezing under the effort. Consider springing for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU or better. More cores and higher clock speeds will give Windows 11 the power it craves.
Memory
If you’re still rocking 4 gigabytes of RAM, adding more memory modules is one of the cheapest yet most effective upgrades. Aim for at least 8 to 16 gigabytes so you can have dozens of tabs open in Edge without your PC gasping for breath. With more RAM, Windows 11 won’t have to swap data on your storage drive, which slows things down tremendously.
Storage
Speaking of storage, if you’re still booting from a hard disk drive, it’s time to join the 21st century. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are now affordable and will make Windows 11 feel fast as lightning. Everything from booting up to opening apps and files will happen in the blink of an eye. Once you go SSD, you’ll never go back.
While expensive, upgrading components can breathe new life into an aging PC and make Windows 11 run as fast and smooth as a brand-new system. If the cost seems too high, you could always consider more, ahem, “budget-friendly” options, but we won’t recommend any of those here.
Windows 11 FAQs: Common Questions on Improving Performance
Why is my Windows 11 computer running so slow?
We’ve all been there - you’re cruising along, jamming to your favorite tunes on Spotify when suddenly everything starts lagging. Your cursor is stuttering across the screen, apps are taking eons to open, and your computer sounds like it’s about to blast off to Mars. Before you chuck your laptop out the window in a fit of frustration, take a deep breath and consider the possible reasons for your Windows 11 machine morphing into a slug.
Maybe you have 47 tabs open in Edge, each auto-playing videos, mining crypto, and rendering 3D graphics. Or possibly you just installed every “PC optimizer” tool you could find, and now they’re all fighting for system resources. Perchance you haven’t restarted your computer since the Bush administration. OK, I’m exaggerating - but when was the last time you gave your PC a reboot? A quick restart can refresh system resources and often fixes minor software glitches.
If none of these scenarios ring a bell, your computer is probably just desperately in need of some TLC. Run a disk cleanup, defragment your hard drive, update drivers, uninstall unused programs, and disable visual effects. A periodic tune-up like this can do wonders for speeding up Windows 11 and reclaiming lost performance. Your computer will be zipping along in no time, and you can get back to more important things - like choosing the perfect Spotify playlist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How can I speed up my Windows 11 computer?
A: There are several ways to speed up your Windows 11 computer. These include keeping your system updated, disabling unnecessary startup programs, optimizing your hard drive, and adjusting your system’s visual effects for best performance.
Q: Does disabling startup programs help in speeding up Windows 11?
A: Yes, disabling unnecessary startup programs can help speed up your Windows 11 computer. These programs can slow down your computer’s startup time and use up system resources.
Q: How can I optimize my hard drive to speed up Windows 11?
A: You can use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize your hard drive. Disk Cleanup helps you free up space on your hard drive, while Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data, making your hard drive work more efficiently.
Q: Can adjusting visual effects help speed up Windows 11?
A: Yes, adjusting your system’s visual effects for best performance can help speed up Windows 11. This reduces the load on your system’s resources, which can help your computer run faster.
Q: How do system updates affect the speed of Windows 11?
A: Keeping your system updated is crucial for its performance and security. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help your computer run more efficiently.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the ultimate guide to speeding up Windows 11 and making your machine run like a well-oiled machine. Now you can bask in the glory of your newfound computing power and speed. Go ahead, open all the tabs your heart desires. Run all the apps at once. Heck, you’ve earned it - treat yourself to a streaming 4K movie while you’re at it. Your newly optimized Windows 11 setup will handle it with ease. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, so try not to get too carried away. But when you do, you can rest easy knowing these tips and tricks have given your PC a boost of speed and performance it won’t soon forget. You’re welcome! Now get out there and enjoy that fast, smooth Windows 11 experience. The future is now, my friend.
