Want to speed up Windows 10 and 11? Is your computer slow to start, freezing in Chrome, or spinning its fans for no reason? You probably do not need a new PC — most Windows 10 and 11 slowdowns come from fixable causes: too many startup apps, a nearly full drive, outdated drivers, or an aging hard disk.
Below are 12 proven fixes to speed up Windows 10 and 11, ordered by impact. Every step uses built-in Windows tools — skip third-party “optimizer” apps, since Microsoft’s own guidance steers users to Windows’ built-in tools rather than registry cleaners or driver-updater utilities.
Back up your important files first; everything here is safe and reversible, but a backup is never a bad idea. More Windows tips: browse our Technology category.
First: Find Out What Is Slowing Your PC
Before you speed up Windows 10 and 11, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Check the Performance tab’s CPU, Memory, and Disk graphs during normal use, then the Processes tab to spot the heaviest app.
Disk stuck near 100% usually means a mechanical hard drive (HDD) is the bottleneck (see Fix 12). Memory consistently above 85–90% means you are running out of RAM. One app constantly using high CPU points to a runaway process or a browser with dozens of tabs open.
Fix 1: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Microsoft calls this the most overlooked fix to speed up Windows 10 and 11: “too many startup apps can slow you down.” Excess entries slow boot time and keep consuming memory all day.
- Windows 11: go to Settings > Apps > Startup and toggle off anything you do not need right away.
- Windows 10: use the Startup tab in Task Manager the same way.
This is safe: disabling an entry does not uninstall the app — it still opens normally when launched. Keep security software, audio, and graphics-driver utilities enabled.
Fix 2: Uninstall Apps You Do Not Use
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10), sort by size, and remove what you do not need. Unused apps waste disk space and sometimes run background services — removing them helps speed up Windows 10 and 11.
Fix 3: Free Up Disk Space with Storage Sense
Windows slows down when the system drive is nearly full, so freeing space is a quick way to speed up Windows 10 and 11. Go to Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense, and click Run Storage Sense now — it auto-cleans temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin on a schedule.
Also clear Temporary files (old update leftovers) and move big media files to an external drive.
Fix 4: Install Windows Updates and Driver Updates
Pending updates often include performance and stability fixes that help speed up Windows 10 and 11.
Go to Settings > Windows Update (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10) and install everything pending. Then check Advanced options > Optional updates for driver updates — especially graphics, chipset, and network drivers, since outdated drivers cause stuttering and random slowdowns.
Windows 10 note: support ended October 14, 2025. Without Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) — extended for personal devices through October 12, 2027 — it gets no security patches. If your PC meets the requirements, the free upgrade to Windows 11 is the safer long-term option.
Fix 5: Scan for Malware
Malware can silently consume CPU and disk resources. Scan with the built-in tool: Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan (Windows 11), or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security (Windows 10).
Run a full scan afterward if anything suspicious shows up.
Fix 6: Stop Apps Running in the Background
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, click … on an app, choose Advanced options, and set Background app permissions to Never (or Power optimized).
Keep background access for email, messaging, backup, sync, and security apps — they depend on it.
Fix 7: Reduce Visual Effects
Windows 11’s animations, transparency, and shadows consume GPU and memory — Microsoft warns these can slow PCs, especially machines with less than 8 GB of RAM.
Search the Start menu for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” and choose Adjust for best performance — or Custom, keeping only Smooth edges of screen fonts and Show thumbnails instead of icons. In Windows 11 you can also toggle off Animation effects at Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.
Fix 8: Pause OneDrive Syncing
OneDrive’s automatic cloud sync consumes computing power and bandwidth — Microsoft warns it can slow down your PC.
Test it: click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, choose Settings (gear) > Pause syncing, and pick 2, 8, or 24 hours. If the PC feels faster, keep large folders out of sync or switch to Files On-Demand (placeholders instead of full local copies).
Fix 9: Set Power Mode to Best Performance
On laptops, Windows limits the processor to save battery — which slows things down. To speed up Windows 10 and 11 on a laptop, go to Settings > System > Power & battery and set Power mode to Best performance.
It drains the battery faster and can run the laptop warmer, so prefer it when plugged in.
Fix 10: Restart Regularly
A weekly restart is one of the simplest habits to speed up Windows 10 and 11. Apps and browser tabs left open leak memory over days.
Close what you are not using and choose Start > Power > Restart (not just shut down, which on many PCs is a hybrid hibernation) once or twice a week.
Fix 11: Optimize Your Drives
On older mechanical hard drives, fragmentation slows file access. Search for Defragment and Optimize Drives, select the drive, and click Optimize.
Windows detects drive type automatically — SSDs get TRIM-style optimization — so use this built-in tool and never run a third-party defragmenter on an SSD.
Fix 12: Upgrade to an SSD
If Task Manager shows disk usage pegged at 100% and your PC still has a spinning hard drive, no software tweak will speed up Windows 10 and 11. Moving Windows to a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single most dramatic hardware upgrade — boot times typically drop from minutes to seconds.
Most SSD brands include free migration software to clone your old drive; alternatively, do a fresh Windows install and restore from backup.
FAQs: Speed Up Windows 10 and 11
How much RAM do I need in 2026?
8 GB is the practical minimum for everyday use; 16 GB is the safer target for video editing, virtual machines, or dozens of tabs. More RAM is one of the most effective ways to speed up Windows 10 and 11 for heavy workloads. (Industry consensus, not a Microsoft specification.)
Should I defragment my SSD?
No — traditional defragmentation does not help SSDs and adds wear. Use Windows' built-in Optimize Drives tool, which handles SSDs correctly (TRIM). Manual defrag only matters for mechanical hard drives.
Is Windows 10 still safe to use in 2026?
Its free support ended October 14, 2025, so it gets no security patches unless enrolled in Extended Security Updates (personal ESU runs through October 12, 2027). For an internet-connected PC, upgrading to Windows 11 is the safer path.
Do PC cleaner or "optimizer" apps help?
Mostly no — independent experts and Microsoft's own guidance point to the built-in tools in this article. Aggressive third-party cleaners can delete needed files or install wrong drivers. Stick with the built-in fixes above to speed up Windows 10 and 11 safely.
Final Word: Speed Up Windows 10 and 11
Trimming startup apps, clearing space with Storage Sense, updating drivers, and toning down visual effects will speed up Windows 10 and 11 so most PCs feel fast again. And if Task Manager shows your old hard drive maxed out at 100%, that is your sign: an SSD upgrade is the best money you will ever spend on that machine.
Also read our guide on password protecting folders in Windows 10 & 11 and browse the Technology archive for more tips.
