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How to Speed Up Windows 11 in 2026: 10 Proven Fixes for a Faster PC

ByMark Posted on

Is your Windows 11 PC running slower than it should? You’re not alone. Many users experience performance issues after upgrading or after months of use. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you 10 proven methods to speed up Windows 11 and get your PC running like new again.

Why Is Windows 11 So Slow?

Before diving into fixes, it’s important to understand what might be slowing down your system:

  • Too many startup programs consuming RAM
  • Visual effects and animations using GPU resources
  • Outdated drivers causing compatibility issues
  • Malware or unwanted software running in background
  • Insufficient RAM (less than 8GB) or old hard drive
  • Temporary files and cache cluttering the system
  • Background Windows Update downloads

10 Ways to Speed Up Windows 11

1. Disable Startup Programs

Many applications automatically start when Windows boots, consuming valuable memory and CPU resources. To disable them:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  2. Click the Startup tab
  3. Right-click unnecessary programs and select Disable
  4. Focus on high-impact programs first (shown in the “Startup impact” column)

2. Adjust Visual Effects for Best Performance

Windows 11’s fancy animations look great but can slow down older systems:

  1. Press Win + R, type
    1
    sysdm.cpl

    , press Enter

  2. Go to Advanced tab → Performance Settings
  3. Select Adjust for best performance to disable all effects
  4. Or customize manually: Keep “Smooth edges of screen fonts” and “Show thumbnails” for usability

3. Run Disk Cleanup

Free up space by removing temporary files, system cache, and old Windows updates:

  1. Search for “Disk Cleanup” in Start menu
  2. Select your system drive (usually C:)
  3. Check all boxes including “Windows Update Cleanup” and “Previous Windows installations”
  4. Click OK and confirm deletion

4. Configure Storage Sense (Automated Cleanup)

Storage Sense automatically frees up space by deleting temporary files:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Storage
  2. Turn on Storage Sense
  3. Click Storage Sense to configure settings
  4. Set to run automatically: Every day, week, or during low disk space
  5. Enable “Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using”
  6. Set “Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: 30 days”

5. Disable Background Apps

Apps running in the background consume RAM and CPU even when not in use:

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  2. Click the three dots next to each app → Advanced options
  3. Under “Background apps permissions” select Never
  4. Focus on apps you rarely use like Weather, News, or Xbox

6. Update Drivers Regularly

Outdated drivers can cause significant performance issues and compatibility problems:

  1. Right-click Start button → Device Manager
  2. Expand categories and right-click devices (especially Display adapters and Network adapters)
  3. Select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers
  4. For graphics cards, download latest drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel

7. Check for Malware and PUPs

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and malware can severely impact performance:

  1. Open Windows Security (Windows Defender)
  2. Click Virus & threat protection
  3. Select Scan options → Full scan
  4. Also check “Protection history” for blocked threats
  5. Consider running a secondary scan with Malwarebytes for PUPs

8. Upgrade Your Hardware

If software optimizations aren’t enough, consider hardware upgrades:

Add More RAM: Windows 11 runs best with 16GB RAM. If you have 4GB or 8GB, upgrading will provide the most noticeable improvement for multitasking.

Upgrade to SSD: Replacing a traditional hard drive (HDD) with a Solid State Drive (SSD) provides the biggest performance boost. Boot times drop from minutes to seconds, and apps open instantly.

Check CPU usage: If your CPU is constantly at 100%, consider upgrading to a modern processor or closing demanding applications.

9. Optimize Power Settings

Windows 11 may use power-saving modes that limit performance:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Power & battery
  2. Set power mode to Best performance (when plugged in)
  3. For laptops, create a custom power plan: Control Panel → Power Options → Create power plan
  4. Name it “Maximum Performance” and set all options to maximum performance

10. Disable Transparency Effects

Acrylic and Mica transparency effects use GPU resources:

  1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Visual effects
  2. Turn off Transparency effects
  3. While here, also disable Animation effects for additional speed

Advanced: Registry Tweaks for Power Users

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can cause system instability. Always back up first: In Registry Editor, right-click the key → Export. Create a system restore point before proceeding.

Reduce Startup Delay

Make startup apps launch faster:

  1. Press Win + R, type
    1
    regedit

    , press Enter

  2. Navigate to:
    1
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize
  3. Create new DWORD (32-bit) named
    1
    StartupDelayInMSec

    and set value to

    1
  4. Create DWORD
    1
    WaitForIdleState

    and set to

    1

Speed Up Menu Animations

  1. Navigate to:
    1
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  2. Find
    1
    MenuShowDelay

    (or create String value)

  3. Set value to
    1

    (default is 400 milliseconds)

Force-Close Frozen Apps Faster

  1. Navigate to:
    1
    HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop
  2. Create DWORD
    1
    AutoEndTasks

    =

    1
    1
  3. Create DWORD
    1
    WaitToKillAppTimeout

    =

    1
    2000

    (2 seconds)

  4. Create DWORD
    1
    HungAppTimeout

    =

    1
    2000

Disable Bing Search in Start Menu

  1. Navigate to:
    1
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
  2. Create DWORD
    1
    DisableSearchBoxSuggestions

    =

    1
    1
  3. Restart Explorer or reboot to apply

Understanding the Tech: A Quick Glossary

RAM (Random Access Memory): Your PC’s short-term memory. More RAM means more applications can run simultaneously without slowing down. Windows 11 needs at least 4GB, but 16GB is recommended.

SSD (Solid State Drive): A modern storage device with no moving parts. It’s 10-20x faster than traditional hard drives, making your PC boot faster and apps load quicker.

Registry: Windows’ internal database storing system settings. Editing it can improve performance but risks instability if done incorrectly.

Startup Programs: Software that automatically runs when Windows starts. Too many slow down boot time and consume resources.

Background Apps: Programs that continue running even when you close their window, checking for updates or notifications.

When Is It Time for a New PC?

Consider upgrading your hardware if:

  • Your PC is more than 7-8 years old
  • You have less than 8GB RAM (and can’t upgrade)
  • Your CPU doesn’t support Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot)
  • You’re still using a mechanical hard drive (HDD)
  • Even after all optimizations, performance remains unsatisfactory

Extended FAQ

Q: Will these fixes delete my personal files?
A: No, these optimizations only affect system settings and temporary files. Your documents, photos, and installed programs remain untouched.

Q: How often should I clean up my PC?
A: Run Disk Cleanup monthly, check startup programs every 3 months, and perform a full malware scan weekly. Enable Storage Sense to automate cleanup.

Q: What’s the single best upgrade for an old PC?
A: Replacing a hard drive with an SSD provides the most dramatic improvement in boot times and app loading.

Q: Can registry tweaks harm my computer?
A: Yes, if done incorrectly. Always back up the registry before changes and create a system restore point. Apply one tweak at a time and test stability.

Q: Why does Windows 11 feel slower than Windows 10 on the same hardware?
A: Windows 11 has higher system requirements and more visual effects. Disable transparency, animations, and unnecessary background apps to improve performance.

Q: Should I disable Windows Updates to improve performance?
A: No, never disable security updates. They contain critical patches. Schedule updates for off-hours if they interfere with work.

Conclusion

With these 10 proven fixes plus advanced registry tweaks, you should see significant improvement in your Windows 11 performance. Start with the quick wins: disable startup programs, adjust visual effects, and enable Storage Sense. For older systems, upgrading to an SSD and adding RAM will provide the most dramatic improvements.

Remember: Performance optimization is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance—monthly cleanups, driver updates, and malware scans—keeps your PC running smoothly for years.

For more Windows 11 troubleshooting tips, check out our guides on fixing search issues and resolving stuck updates.

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Understanding pfSense: What is pfSense in Networking?

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