Windows 11 came with an updated interface, a customizable Start menu and taskbar, and a plethora of features. But what many users probably looked forward to the most were performance improvements, which came thanks to better disk usage, memory management, and other resource tweaks to help machines running Windows 11 enjoy speedier operations.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with how Windows 11 performs on their devices. If you are one of those dissatisfied or underwhelmed customers, here are some tips to make Windows 11 faster and optimize Windows 11 features.
Looking to get the most out of your Microsoft Office? We have some great Microsoft Office Productivity Tips to help make your more productive!
Why Is Windows 11 Slow?
Before we jump into tips and tricks to make Windows 11 faster, let us look at some reasons why its performance may not be up to snuff in the first place on your computer. If you find yourself asking: “Why does Windows 11 seem slow?”, the answer may include:
- You may be using an old or fragmented device that Windows 11 may not support, which is making your computer seem almost unusable
- Your computer specs are low and incapable of supporting snappy performance
- You have not been keeping up with Windows or driver updates that are causing your computer to crash or act sluggish
- Your RAM is running low and causing poor performance
- You are lacking disk drive space
- You have too many apps that are loading at startup
- Viruses and malware are overwhelming your system
- You have a slower hard disk drive (HDD) instead of a faster solid-state drive (SSD)
- You are running Windows software that is corrupted or was installed incorrectly
Tips To Speed Up Windows 11
If you are not happy with the performance of Windows 11, here are some tips to speed it up. While some tips may seem super simple, you would be surprised at how many people overlook them and the wonders they can work with minimal effort:
Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer is a quick way to clear the cobwebs and get Windows 11 running faster. It may not be the best long-term solution if you continue to have issues, but many find that simply restarting their computers results in a less sluggish Windows 11. This helps because, as time passes, resources continue to be used. This is especially true for programs like Internet browsers, which are notorious for memory leaks, where the longer an application runs, the more resources (aka RAM and processing power) it takes up. Rebooting your system helps to release the grip these “resource hogs” have on your memory.
Scan For Malware
Your computer’s specs may be up to snuff for handling Windows 11, but malware and viruses could be hiding underneath the surface and making performance suffer. If you have not done so already, run a virus scan using antivirus software to see what comes up. Be certain to update your antivirus definitions before you run a scan to make sure you are protected from the latest threats.
Give Your Computer Breathing Room
Is your CPU in a really tight spot with little room around it? If so, it may have trouble “breathing” and require more space around it so hot air can be released appropriately. Although many modern computers combat temperature spikes, you may find that getting your computer out of a cramped setting prevents heat buildup that can slow down performance and make Windows 11 seem a lot slower than it should be.
Read: Microsoft Office 365 Review
Get Rid Of Unnecessary Files
As mentioned, one possible reason for sluggish Windows 11 performance could be that your computer has little space left on its hard drive. To free up space and unlock speed, delete files you no longer need. Examples of unnecessary files that take up space and negatively impact performance are zipped files you have already extracted and setup files used to install apps. The same holds true for temporary files.
You can boost Windows 11 speed by eliminating temporary files. To do so, click the Start button and select the Settings option. Click on System, followed by Storage. Next, click on Temporary Files and choose what you want to get rid of. Complete the process by clicking on Remove files. By eliminating temporary files like your Internet history, cookies, and cache, you can free up space on your hard drive and hopefully see swifter Windows 11 performance.
Eliminate Unnecessary Apps
Chances are, your computer has some apps sitting on it that you never use or never wanted to be installed in the first place (aka bloatware). Get rid of these apps, and you can make more room on your hard drive and achieve better Windows 11 speed.
To remove unnecessary apps, click the Start button and select Settings. Next, click on Apps in the left pane, followed by Apps & features. Once you see the list of apps on your computer, click on the three vertical dots next to the ones you want to get rid of. Select Uninstall to remove them from your computer by following the prompts for each app.
Update Windows 11
Sluggish performance may not be the fault of your computer. Instead, it could be an issue triggered by a Windows 11 bug. Once Microsoft finds the fix, you can install the latest patch, so your version of Windows 11 is up-to-date, bug-free, and as fast as can be.
To check for a Windows 11 update, go to Settings on your computer. In the left pane, click on Windows Update. Next, click on Check for updates. Your computer will let you know if you are up to date. If not, it will find the new update(s) and install it/them. Restart your computer once the updates are installed, and you should hopefully see a speed improvement.
Reduce Your Startup Apps
If you have a ton of apps set to ignite once your computer starts, that can hamper your performance. An easy way to boost Windows 11 performance is to be more selective with your startup apps.
You can reduce your number of startup apps by clicking on the Start button. Next, select Settings and then Apps. From the Apps menu, click on Startup. From there, pick which apps you want to have on at Startup. For the best results, only have a minimal number of apps set to On so your computer does not get bogged down when starting.
Read: Best Microsoft Office Add-ins and Plugins
Reduce Your Startup Programs
With your startup apps minimized, it is now time to do the same with programs. Click the Start button, then select Task Manager. Next, click on the Startup tab. If you see programs you do not want to launch at startup, switch them from Enabled status to Disabled. By having fewer items set to launch at startup, you should see a faster boot time with Windows 11.
Select A High-Performance Power Plan
You can unlock more powerful performance on your PC for faster Windows 11 by doing the following. First, click Start. In the search bar, type “power plan” without the quotes. Next, click on Choose a power plan. On the Choose or customize a power plan page, select High performance. Then, click on Change plan settings. On the next page, click on Change advanced power settings. Under Processor Power Management, you want the minimum and maximum processor state set to 100%.
Turn Off Visual Effects
Visual effects can provide a more eye-catching experience when using your computer, but they can also negatively impact performance and make Windows 11 a drag to use, especially on older PCs. Disable visual effects, and you can decrease the burden on your GPU by about 20 percent for a faster Windows 11 experience.
To achieve this goal, press the Windows key. In the search bar, type “view advanced” without the quotes. Next, select View advanced system settings and click on the Advanced tab. In the Advanced tab under the Performance section, select Settings. On the Performance Options page, click on Adjust for best performance. Finally, under the Custom list, click these two options, so they have a checkmark next to them:</p.
- Show thumbnails instead of icons
- Smooth edges of screen fonts
Click on Apply, followed by OK, to save those changes and speed up Windows 11.
