This article was published in 2011 and updated in October 2026.
Few things are more frustrating than a computer that crawls. It wastes your time and can quickly ruin a good mood. The good news: many slowdowns can be fixed in a few minutes, without buying a new PC. Here are some of the most effective ways to speed up a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer — and one popular “tip” from 2011 that you should skip.
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1. Restart your computer
It sounds too simple, but many people only ever put their PC to sleep. A proper restart clears memory, ends stuck processes and lets pending updates finish installing.
2. Find out what’s slowing you down
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and sort the Processes tab by CPU, Memory or Disk. If one program constantly uses a lot of resources, close it, update it or look for an alternative. The Performance tab also shows how much RAM your computer has and how much of it is in use.
3. Disable unnecessary startup apps
Many programs start automatically with Windows and run in the background. In Task Manager, open Startup apps (or go to Settings → Apps → Startup) and disable everything you don’t need right after logging in — chat apps, updaters and launchers are typical candidates. Your PC will boot faster and have more memory available.
4. Uninstall programs you don’t use
We all install programs we use once or twice. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps and remove anything you don’t need, including trial software that came with your PC. This frees storage and often removes background services too.
5. Free up disk space
A nearly full drive slows Windows down. Turn on Storage Sense (Settings → System → Storage) to delete temporary files automatically, and use Cleanup recommendations to find large or unused files. Clearing your browser’s cache now and then can also help.
6. Check your RAM — and consider an upgrade
Modern browsers and apps need much more memory than in 2011. For everyday use with Windows 11, 8 GB is a minimum and 16 GB is comfortable. If Task Manager shows memory usage near 100%, close browser tabs and programs you don’t need, or upgrade the RAM if your computer allows it.
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7. Switch to an SSD
If your computer still has a traditional hard disk, replacing it with a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single biggest speed upgrade you can make — Windows starts in seconds and programs open almost instantly. Windows optimises drives automatically, so you no longer need to run manual defragmentation; SSDs don’t need it at all.
8. Keep Windows and drivers updated
Updates fix bugs and performance problems as well as security holes. Check Settings → Windows Update and install updates for graphics drivers from your PC or graphics card manufacturer.
9. Scan for malware
Malware can use your processor and internet connection without you noticing. Run a full scan with the built-in Windows Security (Microsoft Defender), and be careful with “free speed-up tools” from unknown websites — some are malware themselves.
10. Tame your browser
For many people, the browser is the slowest part of their computer. Close tabs you don’t need, remove unused extensions and turn on features like Edge’s sleeping tabs or Chrome’s Memory Saver.
Skip the registry cleaner
In 2011, registry cleaners were a popular recommendation. Today they are best avoided: Microsoft does not support them, they rarely make any noticeable difference, and a cleaner that deletes the wrong entries can cause serious problems. If Windows really behaves strangely, use Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC (you can keep your files) or the built-in repair tools instead.
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Vijay
Jul 11. 2011
When my PC run slowly, I hate the things that my mind set up changes automatically and that day is totally waste.
Here is what I do is, I don’t enter unwanted or protected sites since it produce ‘N’ number of malwares.
So first of all protect ourselves is a best way to prevent the trouble.
admin
Jul 11. 2011
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
shashank chinchli
Jul 12. 2011
I use SOLUTO to avoid launching of unwanted apps during BOOting process of Windows.
admin
Jul 12. 2011
Good to know that….. Thanks for stopping by my blog 😉
JK_techtrickz
Jul 12. 2011
Usually I use Ccleaner for sweeping garbage from my PC to speed up it. Nice and useful tips. Thanks.
admin
Jul 12. 2011
You’re welcome …. 🙂
Mukundan Srinivasan
Jul 12. 2011
RAM Space check and defragment works best in improving the speed. I do it twice a month.
admin
Jul 12. 2011
Seeing you after a long time here …. Anyways thanks for commenting !! 🙂
Olawale Daniel
Jul 16. 2011
Yeah! That’s very much true. You need to defragment your PC and after that you will be able to get the best result from it. Thanks for this awesome tips.
admin
Jul 16. 2011
Thanks to our guest blogger for this wonderful post 🙂
Praveen Kumar
Jul 12. 2011
Wow, Amazing post man, I really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest.
admin
Jul 12. 2011
Thanks for commenting 😉
karan
Jul 13. 2011
:O this reminded me that i need to run a disk defrag soon:)
admin
Jul 13. 2011
Good to know that this article reminded you …. 🙂
Eric Murphy
Jul 14. 2011
these tricks are awesome.
admin
Jul 14. 2011
Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
Ramcel
Jul 16. 2011
This is very timely. I am about to do some housekeeping on my laptop because it’s been dragging me down on my blogging. It runs or rather walks like a turtle now.
These tips will be truly helpful to me. I got my blog running fast, it’s about time I get my laptop to run!
admin
Jul 16. 2011
Good to know that these tips are helpful to you …
Torque
Jul 19. 2011
Though the number of tips shared is less, this are very much important. If not followed this, your computer speed will be killed.
admin
Jul 19. 2011
Yep truly …. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
hifu specialist
Oct 16. 2011
Clearing cookies is indeed one way to speed up desktops. Also, it would be good to practice cookies deletion especially if you’re using the internet in public services such as library and computer cafe. This is one way to prevent hackers access your account.
Tech Crates
Aug 29. 2013
Thanks guys for the great tips here. In our modern tech times computer operating systems tend to become really messy 😀
Ashish
Apr 04. 2014
Well i use tune up utilities for cleaning purposes but thanks for sharing these basic things i hope it will help me 🙂
Rahul
May 12. 2014
Great tips, I agree registry cleaner programs really helps to increase computer speed, ccleaner is a good program to do so.
Thanks for sharing.