Is your Windows laptop taking forever to start, freezing when you open apps, or becoming sluggish with only a few browser tabs running? A slow laptop does not always mean you need a new computer.
Too many startup apps, low storage space, heavy background processes, Windows updates, malware, overheating, limited RAM, or an older storage drive can all make a Windows laptop feel slow.
This guide explains how to speed up a slow Windows laptop using safe built-in Windows tools first, before considering hardware upgrades.
Quick answer: Restart the laptop, open Task Manager to identify heavy CPU, memory, or disk usage, disable unnecessary startup apps, free storage space, install Windows and driver updates, run a malware scan, and check whether the laptop is overheating. If an older laptop still uses a mechanical hard drive or regularly runs out of memory, an SSD or RAM upgrade may provide a much larger improvement.
First: Find Out What Is Making Windows Slow
Before uninstalling programs or changing Windows settings, use Task Manager to see which resource is actually being overloaded.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Open the Processes section.
- Look at the CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network columns.
- Click a column heading to sort processes by usage.
Look for an app or process that remains unusually high even when you are not actively using it.
- CPU near 100%: A program or background task may be heavily using the processor.
- Memory near 100%: You may have too many apps or browser tabs open, or the laptop may have too little RAM.
- Disk near 100%: Windows updates, syncing, antivirus scans, or an older hard drive may be slowing everything down.
- Everything looks normal: Check storage space, temperatures, Windows updates, and hardware age.
Microsoft recommends using Task Manager to monitor CPU, memory, disk usage, and startup processes when diagnosing Windows performance problems. See Microsoft's official Windows performance guide.
If Task Manager specifically shows unusually high memory use from Desktop Window Manager, see our DWM.exe high RAM usage troubleshooting guide.
1. Restart the Laptop
If your laptop has been running for days or weeks, restart it before doing anything complicated.
A restart closes background processes, clears temporary memory usage, completes some pending updates, and reloads Windows services.
- Save your work.
- Open Start.
- Select Power.
- Choose Restart.
Use Restart rather than simply closing the laptop lid.
After Windows starts again, open only the applications you actually need and see whether performance improves.
2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps
Programs that automatically launch every time Windows starts can increase boot time and continue consuming memory and CPU in the background.
To manage them:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Startup apps.
- Review the applications in the list.
- Select an app you do not need at startup.
- Choose Disable.
Good candidates often include optional launchers, chat apps, game clients, music applications, and software updaters that you do not need immediately after signing in.
Do not randomly disable security software, hardware drivers, touchpad software, graphics components, or anything you do not recognize.
Microsoft specifically recommends disabling unnecessary startup apps because they can slow startup and increase background resource use in its PC performance troubleshooting guide.
3. Free Up Storage Space
A nearly full system drive can reduce Windows performance and leave insufficient space for updates, temporary files, caches, and applications.
Check your storage:
- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Storage.
Use Cleanup recommendations
On current Windows 11 versions:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Open Cleanup recommendations.
- Review categories such as temporary files, large or unused files, cloud-synced files, and unused apps.
- Select only the items you are comfortable removing.
- Choose Clean up.
Use Storage Sense
Windows also includes Storage Sense, which can automatically remove unnecessary temporary files and items from locations such as the Recycle Bin according to your settings.
Go to:
Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense
Microsoft explains both features in its official Windows storage cleanup guide.
Important: Review files before deleting them. Be especially careful with Downloads, personal documents, and previous Windows installation files.
4. Stop Unnecessary Background Activity
Some applications continue performing tasks even when their main window is closed.
If Task Manager shows an app consuming significant resources in the background, first close it normally and see whether performance improves.
For supported apps, Windows 11 may also provide background permissions:
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Select Installed apps.
- Find the app.
- Select the three-dot menu.
- Choose Advanced options if available.
- Find Background app permissions.
- Select Never if you do not need the app running in the background.
Not every desktop app provides this option.
You should also close browser tabs, game launchers, cloud utilities, and other programs you are not actively using when the laptop is already short on memory.
5. Install Windows and Driver Updates
Windows updates can include bug fixes, security updates, driver updates, and performance improvements.
- Open Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Download and install available updates.
- Restart the laptop if required.
Check optional driver updates
Microsoft also recommends checking optional updates when troubleshooting performance:
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Optional updates.
- Review available driver updates.
Only install driver updates that apply to your hardware. For graphics, chipset, BIOS, or firmware problems, your laptop manufacturer's support page can also be useful.
If Windows Update itself refuses to run and shows error 0x80070422, use our Windows Update error 0x80070422 guide.
6. Scan for Malware
Malware can consume processor, memory, disk, and network resources and make a previously fast laptop feel unusually slow.
Windows includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus through Windows Security.
To run a quick scan:
- Open Start.
- Search for Windows Security.
- Open Virus & threat protection.
- Select Quick scan.
If you have a stronger reason to suspect malware, open Scan options and review the additional scan types.
Microsoft documents Quick scan, Full scan, Custom scan, and Microsoft Defender Offline in its official Windows Security guide.
Do not install random "PC cleaner," "RAM booster," or registry-cleaning software just because an advertisement says your computer has thousands of problems. Windows already includes the main maintenance and security tools most users need.
7. Change the Windows Power Mode
A laptop configured for maximum battery efficiency may intentionally reduce performance.
On Windows 11:
- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Power & battery.
- Find Power mode.
- Choose the mode appropriate for what you are doing.
Available options can include:
- Best power efficiency — prioritizes battery life.
- Balanced — balances performance and power use.
- Best performance — prioritizes performance.
If the laptop is plugged in and you need maximum performance, temporarily testing Best performance can help determine whether power management is contributing to the slowdown.
Warning: Microsoft notes that Best performance increases power consumption and can cause a laptop to drain its battery faster and run warmer.
See Microsoft's official Windows power mode guide.
8. Reduce Windows Visual Effects
Animations, shadows, transparency, and other visual effects use system resources. The impact is usually small on modern hardware but can be more noticeable on an older or low-powered laptop.
Windows includes a performance setting that can reduce these effects:
- Open Start.
- Search for Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
- Open the result.
- Select the Visual Effects tab.
- Choose Adjust for best performance.
- Select Apply.
This may make Windows look less polished, so you can also choose Custom and disable only effects you do not care about.
Microsoft currently includes reducing Windows 11 visual effects among its recommended performance troubleshooting steps.
9. Check for Overheating
If your laptop is fast when first turned on but becomes noticeably slower after gaming, video editing, charging, or working for a long time, heat may be involved.
Modern processors can reduce their speed when temperatures become too high. This is commonly called thermal throttling.
Common warning signs include:
- The laptop becomes extremely hot.
- Fans run loudly for long periods.
- Performance becomes worse after the laptop warms up.
- Games lose frame rate after several minutes.
- The laptop feels much faster again after cooling down.
Basic steps include:
- Use the laptop on a hard, flat surface.
- Do not block ventilation openings.
- Remove obvious dust from external vents carefully.
- Avoid using the laptop on beds, blankets, or cushions that block airflow.
- Install manufacturer firmware and thermal-management updates where appropriate.
For a deeper walkthrough, see our laptop overheating troubleshooting guide.
10. Check Whether the Hardware Is the Bottleneck
Software fixes cannot completely overcome hardware that is too limited for the workload.
Check your RAM
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Performance, then select Memory.
If memory is frequently close to full during normal use, you may need to:
- Close unnecessary applications.
- Use fewer browser tabs.
- Remove unnecessary background programs.
- Upgrade RAM if your laptop supports it.
Check whether the laptop uses an HDD or SSD
Older laptops may still use a mechanical hard disk drive. An SSD provides much faster storage access and can dramatically improve startup times, application loading, and overall responsiveness compared with an old mechanical drive.
You can check the drive type in:
- Open Task Manager.
- Select Performance.
- Select Disk.
Depending on the system, Windows may identify the drive as an SSD or HDD.
If the laptop already has an SSD, enough RAM, normal temperatures, sufficient free storage, and low background usage but is still too slow for your workload, its processor or overall hardware may simply be reaching its limits.
Windows Laptop Slow at Startup
If Windows feels normal after a few minutes but startup takes a long time, focus first on startup applications.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Select Startup apps.
- Look at applications set to start automatically.
- Disable programs you do not need immediately after login.
Also check whether Windows Update, cloud syncing, antivirus scans, or large application updates begin immediately after startup.
If the laptop uses an older mechanical hard drive, startup will generally be much slower than on an SSD-equipped system.
Why Did My Laptop Suddenly Become Slow?
A sudden slowdown is different from a laptop that has gradually become slower over several years.
Check Task Manager immediately and look for:
- A process using very high CPU.
- Memory usage near capacity.
- Disk usage staying near 100%.
- Windows Update activity.
- A cloud backup or synchronization process.
- An antivirus scan.
- A recently installed program.
If the laptop also becomes unusually hot, check cooling and ventilation.
If the slowdown started after installing an application, driver, or Windows update, note the timing before making additional changes. That information can make troubleshooting much easier.
Laptop Slow Only When Browsing?
If Windows itself feels fast but Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another browser becomes slow, the laptop may not be the main problem.
Try:
- Closing unused tabs.
- Removing unnecessary browser extensions.
- Restarting the browser.
- Updating the browser.
- Checking Task Manager for excessive browser memory usage.
- Testing your internet connection if pages load slowly but the browser interface remains responsive.
If websites are slow because your Wi-Fi connection itself is performing badly, use our Wi-Fi connected but slow internet troubleshooting guide.
What About Windows 10?
Many performance troubleshooting techniques in this guide also work on Windows 10, but Windows 10 reached the end of normal free support on October 14, 2025.
Microsoft says Windows 10 PCs can continue working, but normal free software updates, security fixes, and technical support ended on that date.
If your laptop supports Windows 11, moving to a supported Windows version should be part of your longer-term plan.
See Microsoft's current Windows performance documentation for Microsoft's latest support guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Windows laptop so slow?
Common causes include too many startup programs, limited RAM, low storage space, heavy background processes, malware, Windows updates, overheating, or older hardware.
How can I make my Windows laptop faster?
Start by restarting it, checking Task Manager, disabling unnecessary startup apps, freeing storage, installing updates, scanning for malware, and checking temperatures. If hardware is limiting performance, consider an SSD or RAM upgrade if the laptop supports it.
Why is my laptop slow even though it is new?
A new laptop can feel slow while Windows updates, cloud syncing, search indexing, antivirus scans, application installations, and initial setup processes run in the background. Check Task Manager to see what is consuming resources before assuming there is a hardware problem.
Why is Task Manager showing 100% disk usage?
High disk usage can come from updates, antivirus scans, syncing, applications, insufficient memory causing paging, or an older storage drive. Sort Task Manager by Disk usage to identify which process is responsible.
Does disabling startup apps make Windows faster?
It can improve startup time and reduce background resource usage, especially if many unnecessary applications launch automatically when you sign in.
Does freeing storage make a laptop faster?
Low free space can reduce Windows performance and interfere with temporary files and updates. Microsoft recommends Storage Sense and Cleanup recommendations when disk space is low.
Should I use Best performance power mode?
You can test it when the laptop is plugged in and performance is more important than battery life. It uses more power and may make the laptop run warmer, so Balanced is usually more appropriate for everyday use.
Can malware make my laptop slow?
Yes. Malware can use CPU, disk, memory, and network resources. Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus and several scan options.
Will adding RAM speed up my laptop?
Adding RAM can make a significant difference if your memory is regularly close to full. It may have little effect if the laptop already has enough memory for your workload.
Will replacing an HDD with an SSD speed up a laptop?
Yes, especially on older laptops. Moving from a mechanical hard drive to an SSD can substantially improve boot times, app loading, and general responsiveness.
Should I use a registry cleaner to speed up Windows?
Usually not. Start with Windows' built-in performance, storage, startup, update, and security tools rather than third-party programs that promise automatic registry cleaning or one-click performance boosts.
Why does my laptop get slower when it gets hot?
Processors and graphics hardware can reduce performance when temperatures become too high. Improving ventilation and fixing overheating can restore normal performance.
Should I reset Windows because my laptop is slow?
A Windows reset should not be your first step. Check resource usage, storage, startup apps, updates, malware, heat, and hardware limitations first. Resetting Windows is much more disruptive and may not fix a hardware bottleneck.
Final Thoughts
If your Windows laptop is running slow, start by identifying the bottleneck instead of installing random optimization software.
Open Task Manager and check CPU, memory, and disk usage. Then disable unnecessary startup apps, free storage space, install Windows and driver updates, run a malware scan, and check whether heat is reducing performance.
For older laptops, software cleanup can only go so far. If the computer still uses a mechanical hard drive or regularly runs out of RAM, an SSD or memory upgrade may provide a much larger improvement than changing dozens of Windows settings.