Windows 11 · Windows
Improve Windows 11 Performance and Make It Run Faster
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Install updates, disable unnecessary startup apps, free storage, and use the recommended power mode. Hardware below current needs may not improve through settings alone.
Identify the Windows slowdown
Open Task Manager while Windows feels slow and note whether CPU, memory, or disk use stays high. This shows whether one app is responsible or the whole PC is under load.
Install Windows and driver updates
Open Settings > Windows Update, install available updates, check Optional updates for applicable drivers, and restart Windows.
Disable unneeded startup apps
Open Task Manager > Startup apps and disable only items you do not need at sign-in.
Free space with Cleanup recommendations
Open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Review each category and remove only files you recognize and no longer need.
Choose an appropriate power mode
Open Settings > System > Power & battery and choose the performance-oriented mode when the PC is plugged in and extra battery use is acceptable.
Compare the same workload again
Repeat the app launch or workload that was slow and compare Task Manager use with the starting measurement. Re-enable a startup app if disabling it removed a feature you need.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If performance remains poor, record CPU, memory, disk and startup impact while reproducing the slowdown, then isolate one app, update or hardware limit. Preserve files before storage cleanup and avoid registry cleaners, service-disabling lists, debloat scripts or claims that visual changes increase hardware capability.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.