A Windows 11 PC usually slows down because too many programs start with it, storage is nearly full, or updates are waiting. These steps are safe and can be undone at any time.
Steps to follow
- Restart the PC. A full restart clears memory and finishes pending updates.
- Turn off startup apps. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Startup apps and disable programs you do not need at sign-in.
- Free up storage. Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense. Keep at least 15% of the drive free.
- Uninstall unused apps. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and remove what you no longer use.
- Install updates. Check Settings > Windows Update for Windows and driver updates.
- Scan for malware. Run a full scan in Windows Security.
- Change the power mode. On a laptop plugged in, choose Best performance in Settings > System > Power.
Still slow?
An older hard disk drive (HDD) is the most common hardware cause. Replacing it with an SSD, or adding RAM if you have 4 GB or less, makes the biggest difference.