Laptop Running Slow on Windows 10/11 – Step-by-Step Fix Guide

Laptop Running Slow on Windows 10/11 – How to Fix It (Step-by-Step Guide)

A slow laptop can be frustrating, especially when you need it for work, study, or gaming. If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 laptop is lagging, freezing, or taking too long to start, don’t worry. Most of the time, you don’t need to buy a new laptop. With the right steps, you can fix performance issues and make your laptop run faster.

This guide will cover all the practical solutions, from simple tweaks to advanced optimizations, suitable for beginners and intermediate users.

Why Your Laptop Is Running Slow

Several factors can make a Windows laptop slow. Understanding the causes helps you fix the problem effectively.

1. Too Many Startup Programs
   Programs that start automatically when Windows boots can consume RAM and slow down your system.

2. Low Storage Space
   Windows needs free disk space for temporary files and updates. A nearly full hard drive reduces speed.

3. Fragmented Hard Drive
   On older HDDs, file fragmentation can slow down access times. (Not an issue for SSDs.)

4. Malware or Virus
   Malicious software can use system resources and make your laptop sluggish.

5. Outdated Drivers or Windows Version
   Old drivers or system updates can affect performance.

6. Too Many Background Processes
   Apps running in the background use RAM and CPU, affecting overall speed.

7. Heavy Visual Effects
   Fancy animations, transparency, and shadows look good but consume resources.

Step 1: Restart Your Laptop

Restarting clears temporary files, stops unnecessary processes, and refreshes your system.

How to restart:

• Click Start → Power → Restart

• Wait for your laptop to reboot fully

💡 Tip: Restart your laptop at least once a week to maintain smooth performance.

Step 2: Check Storage Space and Free Up Disk

Windows works best with at least 20% free disk space.

How to check storage:

• Go to Settings → System → Storage

• Check available space

How to free space:

• Delete unused apps and files

• Empty the Recycle Bin

• Use Disk Cleanup:

  • Search for “Disk Cleanup” in Start menu

  • Select your main drive (usually C:)

  • Check Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and system files → Click OK

💡 Tip: Large files like videos, ISO files, and downloads often take up the most space. Consider moving them to an external drive.

Step 3: Manage Startup Programs

Too many startup programs make booting slow.

How to manage:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

• Click Startup tab

• Disable unnecessary programs (e.g., Skype, Spotify, OneDrive if not used often)

This reduces startup time and improves speed immediately.

Step 4: Run Disk Cleanup and Optimize Drives

Disk Cleanup removes temporary files.
Optimize Drives (defragmentation) improves performance on HDDs.

Steps:

• Open This PC → Right-click C: → Properties → Tools → Optimize

• Select your drive → Click Optimize

💡 SSD users: No need to defragment. Just trim with Windows automatically.

Step 5: Check for Malware and Viruses

Malware uses CPU and RAM, slowing down your laptop.

Steps:

• Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick Scan

• Run a full scan if problems persist

Optional: Use trusted free tools like Malwarebytes for deeper scans.

Step 6: Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated system files or drivers can reduce performance.

Update Windows:

• Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates

Update Drivers:

• Press Win + X → Device Manager

• Check Display adapters, Network adapters, and Storage controllers

• Right-click → Update driver

Keeping software and drivers updated ensures better performance and security.

Step 7: Disable Visual Effects for Better Speed

Fancy animations and shadows can slow down laptops, especially older ones.

Steps:

• Press Win + R → type sysdm.cpl → Enter

• Click Advanced → Performance → Settings

• Select Adjust for best performance or Custom to disable only unnecessary effects

Your laptop will feel faster instantly.

Step 8: Increase Virtual Memory

Virtual memory acts as extra RAM. Increasing it can improve performance if your laptop has low RAM.

Steps:

• Press Win + R → type sysdm.cpl → Enter

• Advanced → Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory → Change

• Uncheck Automatically manage, select Custom size, and set:

  • Initial size = 1.5 × RAM

  • Maximum size = 3 × RAM

• Click Set → OK → Restart

Step 9: Uninstall Unnecessary Programs

Old programs and bloatware take space and resources.

Steps:

• Settings → Apps → Apps & features

• Uninstall programs you no longer use

💡 Tip: Avoid uninstalling Windows system programs unless you know what they do.

Step 10: Scan and Repair Hard Drive Errors

Hard drive errors can slow down your system.

Steps:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin)

• Type chkdsk /f /r → Enter

• Restart laptop and let it scan

Step 11: Upgrade Hardware (Optional but Effective)

If software fixes are not enough:

• Add more RAM: improves multitasking

• Switch to SSD: Windows on SSD boots much faster than HDD

• Replace old hard drive: old HDDs degrade speed over time

Even small upgrades can significantly improve performance.

Step 12: Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Option)

If nothing else works, a clean reset can fix deep issues.

Reset steps:

• Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Reset this PC

• Choose Keep my files or Remove everything

💡 Always back up important data before resetting.

Extra Tips to Keep Your Laptop Fast

• Avoid multiple antivirus programs

• Keep at least 20–25% free disk space

• Restart weekly

• Avoid too many browser extensions

• Close unused applications

Final Thoughts

A slow laptop doesn’t always mean it’s old or broken. Most Windows 10/11 laptops can be significantly sped up using simple software tweaks, hardware upgrades, and proper maintenance. By following these step-by-step instructions, your laptop can feel fast, responsive, and reliable again.