This piece sorts the 15 suggestions by likely cause, so you can work out which ones to try first. PCMag's test observations and claims are attributed to PCMag. Microsoft's documented behavior is attributed to Microsoft.
Start with the biggest, safest wins
1. Cut background load: startup apps and runaway processes
PCMag points readers to Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and its Startup tab. There you can see which programs load with Windows and what their startup impact is. PCMag notes that "Not measured" entries are worth treating with suspicion.
Microsoft's performance guidance agrees on the steps. Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, select Startup apps, right-click the apps you want to stop, and choose Disable. Microsoft also warns that apps that run at startup can slow boot time and increase background usage.
- Disabling a startup entry doesn't uninstall the app. It just stops it launching at sign-in, and you can re-enable it later.
- Settings > Apps > Startup also offers a toggle for each startup app.
- For a sluggish moment, sort the Processes tab by CPU or Memory, as PCMag suggests. If one app is hogging resources while you're not using it, close and reopen it, or end it. You'll lose unsaved work if you end it.
- Computerworld notes that Task Manager's Efficiency Mode can speed up your PC and improve laptop battery life. That's a useful complement to ending tasks outright.
2. Remove clutter: uninstall bloatware and unused apps
PCMag recommends removing preinstalled software, often called crapware, via Installed Apps. Sorting the list by your PC maker's name, by install date or by size helps you find the culprits. Only one app can be uninstalled at a time, so budget some patience.
PCMag is firm on one point: don't reinstall Windows just to dodge bloatware. It says you'll likely cause more problems than you solve. PCMag also mentions the Windows Features dialog in Control Panel for turning off optional components you're sure you won't use.
3. Free up storage, with caveats
PCMag says an overly full SSD can slow a PC down, and it recommends enabling Storage Sense's automatic cleanup options. Microsoft's documentation sets some boundaries that matter here:
- Storage Sense can remove temporary files and Recycle Bin items. I'm using that wording loosely. The Microsoft Support page actually says it removes items such as temporary files and Recycle Bin contents.
- It works on the system drive only, usually C:. Other drives need manual cleanup.
- Storage Sense is off by default. Microsoft says Windows may turn it on for select temporary files if you run low on space, and it will notify you.
- Downloads and cloud content are left alone unless you configure Storage Sense to manage them.
- If a file is marked "Always keep on this device," Storage Sense exempts it.
- Microsoft says low disk space can affect the performance of your device and make it difficult to receive system upgrades.
The path is Settings > System > Storage, then Storage Sense. Don't expect cleanup to transform a healthy machine. It matters most when the drive is nearly full.
Power, heat and the hardware reality
4. Power mode: speed versus battery
In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Power & battery. The options are Best power efficiency, Balanced and Best performance. You can set them separately for plugged-in and battery use.
PCMag suggests Best performance when plugged in, and it also says plugging in a laptop can open up the CPU's throttle. That's reasonable. The cost is power draw and battery life, so don't leave Best performance on while you're running on battery.
If the power mode is greyed out, Microsoft says a custom power plan may be selected. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options and choose Balanced.
5. Keep it cool
PCMag notes that PCs throttle when they overheat. That means blocked vents, dust and soft surfaces under a laptop can cost you real performance. Keep fans unobstructed, give a desktop breathing room, and dust the machine now and then. It's the least glamorous tip on the list. It's also one of the few that fixes the physical cause of a slowdown.
Health checks: malware, updates and troubleshooters
6. Scanning for malware
PCMag says viruses can slow a PC and recommends a scan. It leans toward dedicated malware removal software over Microsoft Defender. I'd be more cautious. Microsoft says Windows Security scans automatically and lets you run extra scans whenever you like. Options include:
- A quick scan for a fast check.
- A custom scan for specific locations.
- An offline scan, which restarts the PC into the Windows Recovery Environment. Microsoft says this makes it harder for persistent malware to hide. Save your open files first.
Microsoft also says if you install a compatible non-Microsoft antivirus program, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will automatically turn itself off. I'm not quoting that sentence exactly. The fact is documented in Microsoft's Windows Security page. The practical point is that you don't want two real-time antivirus products fighting each other. A second-opinion scanner is a fair choice if you suspect infection. Treating a third-party product as categorically better than Defender isn't something the evidence supports.
7. Keep Windows updated
PCMag suggests checking Settings > Windows Update regularly. Updates can include system components and hardware driver updates that may help performance. It also describes the "Get me up to date" option under Advanced options, which restarts the PC with a 15-minute warning when an update is available.
PCMag also recommends moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and claims Windows 11 "may even be a little faster." The security case is on firmer ground. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and the free security fixes went with it. The PC still works, but without updates. Treat any speed benefit from upgrading as unproven. Whether to upgrade depends on whether your hardware is eligible.
8. Run troubleshooters and maintenance
PCMag suggests searching Start for "troubleshoot" and running the recommended tools. It names Hardware and Devices, Windows Store Apps, and Search and Indexing. It also points to Security and Maintenance in Control Panel, where Start Maintenance runs the daily maintenance task on demand. These are low-risk and worth a few minutes, though they only help if the slowdown has a diagnosable cause.
9. Microsoft PC Manager
Microsoft's own performance tips page recommends the Microsoft PC Manager app. It says the app has tools to clean up storage, manage startup apps and optimize system performance. PCMag found it improved performance "minimally" in its own testing. That's a single reviewer's observation, not a benchmark.
One caveat: Microsoft's PC Manager web page, when checked during research, displayed "Coming Soon." That page lists compatibility with Windows 10 (19042.0 and above) and Windows 11. So availability may vary. Check whether you can actually get it before you plan around it.
Responsiveness tweaks: preferences, not guaranteed speedups
These are the items where PCMag's claims go beyond what Microsoft documents.
10. Web results in Start search
PCMag says Windows searches Bing as you type in Start, and that turning off web results makes searches "feel much faster." It points to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search and a toggle labeled "Web Searches."
Microsoft's documentation places search settings at Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions. It confirms that web searches and suggestions in Windows Search are powered by Bing. I'm paraphrasing that point from Microsoft's Windows Search and privacy page. The toggle name and the speed claim aren't confirmed there. Opting out of web results is a reasonable preference. Expect cleaner results, but don't count on a measurable speedup. The exact menu labels may also vary by Windows 11 version.
11. Visual effects
PCMag says reducing visual effects can help a very old PC. Type "adjust appearance" into Start to open the legacy Performance Options dialog. Adjust for best performance removes all effects. That includes showing window contents while dragging, which becomes a rectangle outline. PCMag's better advice is to uncheck only the effects you can live without.
12. Search indexing
PCMag says indexing can consume resources on lower-powered PCs, but disabling it can slow file searches. Microsoft agrees on the trade-off. It says indexing helps you get faster search results and is on by default. Microsoft also says searching your entire PC may affect battery life and CPU consumption. I'm summarizing that statement. The setting lives at Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows, where you can choose between classic and enhanced scope and exclude specific folders.
My take: for most people, trimming the indexed locations is safer than turning indexing off completely. If you search for files often, switching it off will annoy you.
13. Tips and notifications
PCMag says tips and notifications can cause slowdowns in full-screen apps and games. Turn them off under Settings > System > Notifications, including the "Get Tips and Suggestions" option in Additional settings. The Do Not Disturb bell in the notifications panel is the quick way to pause everything. The benefit here is more about fewer interruptions than raw speed.
For gamers: two separate options to test
14. Game Mode
PCMag says Game Mode is on by default for detected games. It limits background tasks and pauses notifications. It also prevents the PC from updating the OS while you play. PCMag notes that results vary by game and hardware, so test with it on and off.
15. Optimizations for windowed games
Microsoft says this setting improves gaming performance for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed and borderless windowed modes. I'm paraphrasing; the claim comes from Microsoft's support page. Compatible games move from the older blt presentation model to flip model. That reduces frame latency and enables Auto HDR and variable refresh rate on supported displays.
- Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics and turn on Optimizations for windowed games under Default settings.
- Restart your game afterwards.
- Turning on Auto HDR switches the optimization on automatically. To turn the optimization off, you must turn Auto HDR off first.
- You can also change the setting for individual games under Custom options for apps.
It doesn't apply to every game, so don't promise yourself higher frame rates.
A sensible order of operations
- Check the basics: free disk space, Windows Update, and a malware scan with Windows Security.
- Reduce background load: disable unnecessary startup apps and uninstall bloatware.
- Check power and heat: use Best performance while plugged in, and clear dust and blocked vents.
- Then try the subjective tweaks: search settings, visual effects, indexing and notifications. Change one at a time so you can tell what actually helped.
The bottom line
PCMag's guide is a handy checklist. Its most valuable items are the ones that address a real cause: too many startup apps, a full drive, throttled power or heat. The search, notification and visual-effects tweaks are more about taste. Treat PCMag's claims about speed and its own testing as the author's observations. No controlled benchmark across all 15 steps was provided. Microsoft's documentation confirms where the settings are and how they behave, not how much faster your PC will get.
If you try a few of these and the PC is still slow, the cause may be old hardware, a failing drive or a deeper software issue. That's where a clean look at Task Manager's Performance tab is the best next step.