Speed Up Windows 11: 14 Quick, Low Risk Fixes to Boost PC Performance

If your Windows 11 PC feels sluggish, you don’t need to panic — most slowdowns are fixable with a mix of housekeeping, configuration changes, and, when appropriate, hardware upgrades. PCMag Australia’s practical list of 14 quick fixes is a smart, low-risk starting point that maps cleanly to built‑in Windows tools and straightforward upgrades; the suggestions are useful whether you’re troubleshooting a daily driver or squeezing life from older hardware.

Background / Overview​

Windows 11 brings modern visuals, tighter security, and deeper integration with Microsoft services — but those same advances can make a machine feel slower over time as apps, indexing, and background services accumulate. The PCMag Australia checklist focuses on high-impact, low-friction moves (uninstalling unwanted software, trimming startup items, cleaning up disk space) and then escalates to sensible hardware upgrades (more RAM, an SSD) for systems that need real horsepower. Community and technical threads corroborate that these steps deliver measurable responsiveness improvements, and they expose a few update‑related gotchas to watch for.
Below I walk through each fix, explain why it helps, provide clear steps for Windows 11, and flag risks or trade‑offs so you can decide what to do first.

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1. Uninstall Crapware — Remove What You Don’t Need​

Why it helps: Preinstalled “bloatware” and unused applications consume background resources, create startup items, and clutter storage. Removing them frees CPU, RAM, and disk I/O.
How to do it (quick steps):

• Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Sort by manufacturer, size, or install date to spot unwanted bundles.
• Right‑click an app and choose Uninstall; use the legacy Control Panel > Programs and Features for some older installers.
• Repeat until only apps you use remain.

Caveats and tips:

• Don’t remove drivers or system utilities you don’t recognize without checking — that can break functionality.
• Avoid one‑click “cleanup” tools that promise to remove everything; they can inadvertently remove needed software or introduce malware.
• Community testing shows manual cleanups are safer and effective.

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2. Limit Startup Processes — Speed Up Boot and Reduce Background Load​

Why it helps: Programs that run at startup add to boot time and continuously consume resources.
How to do it:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager; switch to the Startup tab.
• Look at the Startup impact column and disable items you don’t need at boot by right‑clicking → Disable.
• For fine control over services, run msconfig or open Services.msc to set nonessential services to Manual/Disabled only if you understand the service.

Risks and guidance:

• Disabling antivirus, cloud backup clients, or hardware vendor services can reduce protection or functionality. Leave security and essential device services enabled.
• If a change causes problems, re-enable it in Task Manager — changes are reversible.

Real‑world note: An OS servicing change to AppXSVC and other auto‑start behaviors has in the past caused unexpected boot slowdowns for some users; monitor recent updates if you suddenly see worse startup times.

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3. Clean Up Your Disk — Storage Sense and Manual Housekeeping​

Why it helps: Low free space and large temporary file stores can slow response, especially on SSDs nearing capacity.
How to do it:

• Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense: enable Cleanup of Temporary Files and Automatic User Content Cleanup.
• Manually empty the Recycle Bin, delete large downloads you no longer need, and use the built‑in Disk Cleanup or Storage settings to remove old Windows update files.
• If you have multiple drives, move bulky media to a secondary drive or external storage.

Caveats:

• Don’t delete files you’re unsure about; back up important documents first.
• SSDs prefer a healthy amount of free space (usually 10–20%) for optimal performance and longevity.

Community threads confirm that Storage Sense combined with manual cleanup often restores a surprising amount of usable space and responsiveness.

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4. Check for Viruses and Spyware — Confirm Your System Isn’t Compromised​

Why it helps: Malware can consume CPU, memory, and network bandwidth; it can also trigger disk activity.
How to do it:

• Run a full scan with Microsoft Defender (Windows Security) and consider a second opinion with a reputable on‑demand scanner (Malwarebytes, ESET Online Scanner, etc.).
• Ensure real‑time protection is enabled or that you have a lightweight third‑party AV installed.

Trade‑offs:

• Some antivirus products use more resources than others. If a machine is low on RAM/CPU, choose AV with a small footprint or tune scan schedules to off‑hours.

This is foundational: if malware is present, optimization steps will often feel pointless until it’s removed.

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5. Change the Power Mode to Best Performance — Trade Battery for Speed​

Why it helps: Windows throttles CPU and other subsystems to save power. Choosing a performance power plan allows the CPU and GPU to run at higher clocks.
How to do it:

• Settings > System > Power & Battery > Power Mode: choose Best performance.
• For laptops, plugging in the charger usually unlocks higher performance tiers automatically.

Trade‑offs:

• Higher power mode reduces battery life and may increase heat and fan noise. Use when plugged in or when maximum responsiveness is required.

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6. Keep Windows Up‑to‑Date — Security and Performance Fixes Matter​

Why it helps: Microsoft updates include security patches, drivers, and performance optimizations. Staying current avoids bugs that can cause slowdowns.
How to manage updates:

• Settings > Windows Update: check for updates and install cumulative/security patches.
• Use Advanced Options to schedule restarts and choose “Get me up to date” if you want aggressive updating behavior (this automatically restarts when necessary).

Caveats:

• Occasionally updates introduce regressions; if a new update causes problems, you can pause updates temporarily or roll back a problematic update. Community reports highlight that some cumulative updates have altered service startup behavior and affected performance — so monitor after major patches.

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7. Run Troubleshooters — Built‑In Diagnostic Helpers​

Why it helps: Windows troubleshooters can automatically detect and fix common problems for search, hardware, network, and apps.
How to run them:

• Start > Troubleshooters (or Settings > System > Troubleshooters): run recommended and targeted troubleshooters (Hardware and Devices, Search and Indexing, Windows Store Apps).

Notes:

• Troubleshooters are safe and noninvasive; they can restore misconfigured components and fix background issues contributing to sluggishness.

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8. Install and Run Microsoft PC Manager — One‑Click Maintenance (With Caveats)​

What it is: Microsoft’s PC Manager consolidates cleanup, disk optimization, and a RAM “cleanup” feature into a single app.
Why use it:

• It’s a convenient, guided helper that can free disk space and run quick checks. In testing it can yield modest gains and simplifies maintenance for less technical users.

Caveats and reality check:

• PC Manager’s impact is typically modest; it’s a helpful convenience rather than a miracle cure.
• Always review what it proposes to remove or change; automated tools can hide the details.

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9. Add More RAM (If You Can) — The Most Cost‑Effective Speed Boost for Multitasking​

Why it helps: More RAM reduces paging (disk swaps) and keeps more apps and files in fast memory, making multitasking smooth.
How to proceed:

• Check your current RAM usage in Task Manager > Performance > Memory to see if you’re paging heavily.
• Identify compatible modules using your PC or motherboard model and buy matching DDR generation, speed, and capacity. Brands like Corsair and Kingston provide compatibility tools.
• Install modules in recommended slots (dual‑channel pairing) or have a technician do it.

Constraints and warnings:

• Many modern laptops have soldered RAM and are not user‑upgradeable.
• Prices can fluctuate, especially when component demand changes.

Community guidance recommends checking physical upgradeability before buying RAM; for many desktops and some laptops, a RAM upgrade is the quickest way to a noticeable improvement.

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10. Install an SSD as the Startup Drive — From Creaky to Instant​

Why it helps: SSDs dramatically reduce boot time, application launch times, and general responsiveness versus mechanical HDDs.
Options and steps:

• Replace the internal HDD with an SSD (SATA or NVMe) or use an external USB 3.x / Thunderbolt SSD as a faster boot device (if your firmware supports it).
• Clone your OS using a reliable cloning tool, or perform a clean Windows install on the new drive and migrate your data.
• Ensure TRIM is enabled (Windows handles this automatically for modern SSDs).

Trade‑offs and tips:

• NVMe drives are faster than SATA SSDs but require an M.2 slot that supports NVMe.
• Cloning can preserve settings, but a clean install often yields the best long‑term reliability.
• Community guides and SSD‑specific troubleshooting threads provide step‑by‑step fixes for sluggish SSDs (firmware updates, alignment, and TRIM), which are useful when an SSD doesn’t behave as expected.

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11. Change System Appearance in Performance Options — Visual Trade‑offs​

Why it helps: Animations and visual effects consume GPU and CPU cycles. Disabling them improves responsiveness on low‑end hardware.
How to adjust:

• Type “adjust appearance” in Start and choose Performance Options.
• Select Adjust for best performance to turn off effects or selectively uncheck the animations you can live without.

What you lose/gain:

• Best Performance removes window animations and shadows, producing a more utilitarian look but noticeably snappier interactions on weak systems.
• It’s reversible — test it and revert if the change feels too stark.

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12. Turn Off Search Indexing — When Indexing Hogs Resources​

Why it helps: Indexing can spike disk activity and CPU usage while it runs; on low‑powered drives or older PCs this can slow other tasks.
How to do it:

• Open Indexing Options from Start, click Modify to remove folders from indexing, or choose Advanced to change file types.
• To disable indexing entirely, stop the Windows Search service (Services.msc) and set startup type to Manual or Disabled — only recommended if you rarely use search.

Trade‑offs:

• Turning off indexing makes file searches slower, but it reduces background disk writes and CPU use.
• For SSDs, indexing writes are less problematic, but on slower HDDs the relief can be dramatic.

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13. Turn Off Tips and Notifications — Reduce CPU and Attention Overhead​

Why it helps: Generating and tracking tips and contextual suggestions consumes cycles and increases perceived sluggishness due to interruptions.
How to do it:

• Settings > System > Notifications: toggle off tips and notifications you don’t need.
• Use Do Not Disturb for focused sessions.

Effect:

• Eliminating constant notifications reduces background work and distractions; users often perceive a faster system simply because there are fewer interruptions.

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14. Bonus for Gamers: Game Mode and Windowed Game Optimizations​

Why it helps: Game Mode attempts to prioritize foreground game performance by limiting background activity and reducing interruptions.
How to enable and tune:

• Settings > Gaming > Game Mode: toggle on.
• In Display settings, enable Optimizations for Windowed Games for compatible titles to reduce frame latency and enable modern features like variable refresh and Auto HDR.

Reality check:

• Benchmarks show Game Mode’s effect varies drastically by game and hardware; test with it on and off to see what works for you.
• Game Mode is a low‑risk toggle and worth enabling for casual optimization.

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A Practical Workflow: Prioritize Low‑Risk, High‑Impact Steps​

To avoid wasted effort, follow this sequence:

• Check Task Manager for current CPU, Disk, Memory, and GPU usage spikes.
• Run a malware scan to eliminate infections.
• Uninstall obvious crapware and trim startup items.
• Clean up disk space with Storage Sense and remove large, unused files.
• Toggle Power Mode to Best Performance while plugged in if needing immediate help.
• Test the system. If still sluggish, decide between disabling visual effects, reducing indexing, or trying PC Manager.
• If multitasking or swapping is frequent, check RAM usage and consider a memory upgrade.
• If boot and load times are the main complaint, migrate to an SSD.

This ordered approach conserves time and money while maximizing the chance of a quick win. Community playbooks and testing show these steps reverse common slowdowns for most users.

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Risks, Trade‑Offs, and What to Watch For​

• Don’t use registry cleaners. They often cause more harm than good and aren’t supported by Microsoft. Instead, use built‑in tools and manual uninstall processes.
• Major updates can change service behavior (e.g., altering startup types), which sometimes creates new performance regressions; keep an eye on performance after Windows updates and be prepared to pause or roll back if needed.
• Aggressively disabling services or uninstalling vendor utilities can remove helpful functions (touchpad gestures, battery management, specialized drivers). Document changes so you can easily revert them.
• Hardware upgrades carry compatibility and cost considerations: verify RAM form factor and speed, and confirm NVMe slots or SATA ports before purchasing an SSD.

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How to Measure Success — Benchmarks and Diagnostics​

Before you change anything, record baseline metrics:

• Boot time (BIOS POST → login ready).
• Cold launch time for your three most used apps.
• Task Manager snapshots of CPU/Disk/Memory/GPU during typical use.
• Synthetic benchmarks if you prefer (boot, storage, and browser-based tests).

After each change, re‑measure the same metrics. This disciplined approach separates placebo effects from real gains and helps you prioritize upgrades that deliver the best ROI.

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When to Consider a Full Reinstall or Reset​

A clean Windows reinstall can restore a new‑PC feel but is a heavy step. Try everything above first. If:

• You’ve eliminated malware, cleaned up apps, trimmed startup items, updated drivers and firmware, and performance is still poor,
  then a reset or clean install may be justified — but back up everything and have drivers available. Community experience shows reinstalling is best as a last resort, not a first step.

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Final Analysis — What Works Best, and Where to Spend Money​

• Best no‑cost moves: uninstall unwanted apps, limit startup items, enable Storage Sense, turn off tips, tweak power mode, and run troubleshooters. These yield frequent, immediate benefits with minimal risk.
• Best cheap hardware move: add RAM if your system is memory starved and upgrade to an SSD for dramatic improvements in boot and load times. These investments yield tangible, long‑lasting responsiveness gains.
• Moderate return: Microsoft PC Manager is useful for convenient maintenance but don’t expect large leaps; it complements manual cleanup rather than replacing it.
• Watch for software updates that change system behavior and always measure before/after to confirm gains.

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Windows 11 can be made noticeably faster without sacrificing usability: start with lightweight, reversible changes, measure results, and only escalate to hardware upgrades when the bottleneck is clearly physical. The 14 quick fixes summarized here provide a practical roadmap — a blend of housekeeping, configuration, and sensible upgrades that most users can carry out in an afternoon and will likely see meaningful improvements from.
Conclusion: follow the checklist, prioritize noninvasive steps first, and invest in RAM or an SSD if your workflow demands it — those moves will deliver the most reliable, lasting speedups for Windows 11.

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Source: PCMag Australia Is Your PC Running Slow? 14 Quick Fixes to Instantly Speed Up Windows 11