If your PC feels slow, these ten Windows 11 checks can help you identify the cause and try an appropriate setting. Results depend on the app, hardware, and problem. Change one thing at a time and repeat the task that felt slow.
If signing in leaves a blank screen with no usable desktop, start with our black screen after login guide.
Choose Where to Start
- Slow just after signing in: review startup apps in check 2.
- Storage almost full: start with storage checks in check 4.
- Lag while several apps are open: use Task Manager in check 10.
- Only one app is slow: compare it with other apps, then check that app’s updates and settings before changing Windows broadly.
Is Only Start Menu Search Slow?
Press Windows + S and search for an installed app. Then open that app directly from its shortcut. If the app works normally but the search box freezes or takes much longer, start with the search-specific checks rather than applying every PC performance change.
Use our Windows 11 Search troubleshooting guide for an unresponsive search box, missing files, and indexing checks. It follows Microsoft’s Windows Search repair guidance. If several apps are slow too, continue with the checks below.
1. Restart Your PC
Restarting closes running apps and starts a fresh Windows session. It can help with a temporary slowdown, but repeated slowdowns need further investigation.
Save your work, then select Start → Power → Restart. After signing in, open only the app you want to test. There is no fixed restart schedule that fits every PC.
2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps
Too many startup apps can slow down your PC as soon as Windows starts.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Startup apps, and review the startup impact. Right-click a familiar app you do not need at sign-in and select Disable. This does not uninstall it; you can still open it manually.
Keep security software and tools you rely on enabled. Test after your next sign-in; return here and select Enable if you need to undo the change. See Microsoft’s startup-app instructions for details.
3. Uninstall Apps You Don’t Use
Unused apps can take up storage space and sometimes run background processes that slow down your PC.
Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps, select the app’s three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall. Check whether it stores local files or settings you need first. Leave unfamiliar drivers and shared software components in place until you identify them.
4. Free Up Storage Space
Freeing up storage space can help speed up Windows 11, especially when your system drive is nearly full.
Open Settings > System > Storage and review cleanup options before deleting anything. Our Windows 11 storage cleanup guide explains manual cleanup, Storage Sense settings, and files you may need to keep.
5. Turn Off Unnecessary Visual Effects
Windows 11 uses animations and visual effects that can make the interface look smoother but may use extra system resources.
Search Start for Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. On Visual Effects, note your existing selection, try Adjust for best performance, and select Apply. Restore your earlier selection if the appearance or text rendering becomes less comfortable.
6. Update Windows 11
Keeping Windows 11 up to date can improve performance, fix bugs, and install important security updates.
Open Settings > Windows Update, check for updates, and finish any required restart. For a feature upgrade from 24H2, follow our 25H2 upgrade guide.
7. Scan for Malware
Malware and unwanted programs can slow down your PC and cause other performance problems.
Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan. Review the result and follow any recommended action. A quick scan does not examine every file; Microsoft explains the other choices in its scan options guide.
8. Change Power Mode
Using a higher performance power mode can help your PC run faster, especially on laptops connected to power.
Go to Settings > System > Power & battery and try Best performance under Power mode if available. It uses more energy, can run warmer, and can shorten battery life; switch back to a balanced or efficiency setting when that tradeoff is not useful. If unplugged runtime is your main concern, follow our Windows 11 battery drain guide.
9. Reduce Background Apps
Some apps continue running in the background and use system resources even when you are not actively using them.
For supported apps, open Settings → Apps → Installed apps → three-dot menu → Advanced options. Under Background app permissions, choose Never only if you do not need the app’s background updates or notifications. If this control is missing, check the app’s own settings.
Restore the previous permission if notifications or syncing stop working as expected. See Microsoft’s background-app guidance.
10. Find Resource-Heavy Apps in Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc while the slowdown is happening. On Processes, select the CPU, Memory, or Disk column heading to sort usage. Observe which app stays near the top during the same task; a brief spike alone does not identify a fault.
Save your work and close unused apps or browser tabs normally, then test again. Use End task only for a known app that will not close; unsaved work may be lost. Do not end unfamiliar Windows or security processes merely because they use resources.
Check Whether the Change Helped
Repeat the same task with a similar set of apps open and the same power connection. Note which change helped, and undo settings that reduced usability without improving the symptom. If one app remains the problem, record its name, version, and what triggers the slowdown for its support team.
If memory or storage remains a bottleneck, check your PC manufacturer’s upgrade options before buying parts; some components cannot be replaced. These settings cannot guarantee a faster PC. For additional options, see Microsoft’s PC performance guidance.