1. Disable non-essential startup items; 2. Enable fast boot (non-dual systems); 3. Update the system, driver and BIOS; 4. Clean the disk and prioritize the upgrade of SSD; 5. Adjust the visual effect to the best performance; 6. Check and kill malware and pre-installed junk software; 7. Turn on storage awareness and OneDrive on-demand files—seven steps can significantly improve Win11 speed without reinstalling the system or replacing hardware. The problem usually comes from software accumulation rather than hardware failure. If the execution is still stuck, consider SSD or resetting the system.

If your Windows 11 PC feels sluggish—whether it's slow to boot, apps take forever to open, or everything just drags—it's probably not broken. More often than not, it's just bogged down by settings, bloat, or outdated habits. The good news? You don't need to reinstall Windows or buy new hardware right away. Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to speed up Windows 11 without getting lost in tech jargon.

1. Trim Startup Programs (Biggest Bang for Your Buck)

Too many apps launching at startup is the #1 reason Windows feels slow right after booting.

• Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open Task Manager.
• Go to the Startup tab.
• Right-click any non-essential app (like Spotify, Discord, or cloud storage tools) and choose Disable .
• Keep only essentials like your antivirus or keyboard/mouse drivers enabled.

? Pro tip: If you're unsure what an app does, Google the name—it's usually safe to disable third-party apps here.

2. Enable Fast Startup (If You're Not Using Dual Boot)

This feature lets Windows boot faster by saving part of the system state when you shut down.

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do .
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable .
• Check Turn on fast startup (recommended) and save.

?? Skip this if you dual-boot with Linux—it can cause file system conflicts.

3. Update Everything—Drivers, BIOS, and Windows

Outdated drivers or firmware can critic performance, especially for storage and graphics.

• Run Windows Update (Settings > Windows Update).
• Visit your PC/laptop manufacturer's support site to check for:
  • BIOS/UEFI updates
  • Chipset, GPU, and SSD/NVMe drivers
• Use Device Manager to check for yellow warning icons—update those drivers manually if needed.

4. Optimize Storage: Clean Up, Defrag, or Migrate to SSD

• Clean up disk space :

  • Press Win S , type “Disk Cleanup,” and run it on your main drive (C:).
  • Delete temporary files, recycle bin contents, and old Windows update files.

• Defrag (if using HDD) :

  • Search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives.”
  • For HDDs: optimize weekly.
  • For SSDs: skip defrag—it's automatic and unnecessary.

• If you're still on an HDD : Seriously consider upgrading to an SSD. It's the single most impactful upgrade for Windows 11 performance.

5. Tweak Visual Effects for Performance

Windows 11's fancy animations look nice but eat up resources on older or low-end hardware.

• Search for “Performance” and open Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows .
• Select Adjust for best performance — or manually uncheck:
  • Animate controls and elements
  • Fade or slide menus into view
  • Show shadows under windows

This makes menus and apps feel snapper, especially on 8GB RAM or less.

6. Check for Malware and Bloatware

Sometimes slowdowns are caused by hidden junk:

• Run a full scan with Windows Security (built-in).
• Use Microsoft's PC Manager (free) to remove bloatware from prebuilt PCs (like Dell, HP, Lenovo).
• Avoid third-party “cleaners”—they often do more harm than good.

7. Use Storage Sense Cloud Optimization

• Go to Settings > System > Storage .
• Turn on Storage Sense to auto-delete temp files, empty Recycle Bin, and clean Downloads folder monthly.
• If you use OneDrive, enable Files On-Demand —it keeps files in the cloud until you need them, saving local space and speeding up file operations.

Bottom line : Most Windows 11 slowdowns come from clutter, not hardware. Start with disabling startup apps and cleaning up storage—those alone often cut boot time in half. Then fine-tune visuals and updates. If it's still slow after all this? That's when you consider an SSD upgrade or a reset.

No magic tricks—just smart, targeted tweaks.

The above is the detailed content of The Ultimate Guide to Speeding Up Windows 11. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!