Speed Up Your Windows 11 Laptop

If your computer feels slower than usual, don’t panic. In many cases, the issue isn’t hardware-related — it’s just background clutter, outdated files, or corrupted system components.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to speed up your Windows 11 laptop using only built-in tools, no third-party software required.

🧹 1. Use Disk Cleanup#

Windows includes a classic tool called Disk Cleanup that helps remove temporary files and system junk.

How to use it:

1. Press Win + S and type Disk Cleanup
2. Select the system drive (usually C:)
3. Click “Clean up system files”
4. Select all checkboxes you want to delete, then press OK

🛠 2. Run System File Checker (SFC)#

Corrupted or missing system files can cause performance issues.

How to run it:

1. Open PowerShell (or the CommandPrompt) as Administrator
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

🧠 Don’t interrupt the scan. It can take a few minutes.

🚀 3. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps#

Too many apps launching at startup = slower boot time.

• Go to Settings → Apps → Startup
• Toggle off what you don’t need

🔍 4. Check Resource Usage in Task Manager#

Use Task Manager to see what’s slowing your system.

• Open with Ctrl + Shift + Esc
• Check the CPU, Memory, or Disk columns

💡 5. Turn On Storage Sense#

Storage Sense helps free up space automatically by deleting temp files and cloud-backed items.

• Go to Settings → System → Storage
• Enable Storage Sense and configure it

🛡 6. Scan for Malware with Windows Security#

Sometimes a slowdown is due to malware.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security
2. Open Virus & threat protection
3. Click Scan options
4. Choose Microsoft Defender Offline Scan

🧪 7. Use Performance Monitor (Advanced)#

Use this tool to monitor system performance over time.

1. Open Run with Win + R
2. Type perfmon and press Enter
3. Explore the overview and live graph

⚡ 8. Change Power Mode#

Make sure your power plan is set to Best performance, especially when plugged in.

• Go to Settings → System → Power & Battery
• Click on Power Mode and choose Best performance

🧰 9. Use Windows Troubleshooter#

Let Windows diagnose common issues automatically.

• Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot
• Select Other troubleshooters
• Run the Performance troubleshooter

🧼 10. Reset This PC (Last Resort)#

If nothing else works, you can reset Windows without losing personal files.

• Go to Settings → System → Recovery
• Click Reset this PC
• Choose Keep my files

✅ Final Thoughts#

You don’t always need to upgrade your hardware when your laptop slows down. Most of the time, Windows gives you everything you need to fix it — built right in.

Try these steps, and let me know what worked best for you!