Feeling frustrated with a slow laptop? You’re not alone! Over time, Windows laptops can slow down due to unnecessary files, too many background programs, and outdated software. The good news? You don’t need to buy a new device—just a few simple tweaks can show you how to speed up a Windows laptop and make it feel fast and responsive again.
This step-by-step guide on how to speed up your laptop will walk you through easy fixes to boost performance. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Why Is My Laptop Slow?
- Quick Fixes to Instantly Improve Speed
- Advanced Steps for Long-Term Performance
- Hardware Upgrades That Make the Biggest Difference
- Final Tips to Keep Your Laptop Running Fast
1. Why Is My Laptop Slow?
Before jumping into fixes, it’s important to understand what might be slowing your laptop down. Here are some common causes:
- Too many programs running at startup
- Low storage space, especially if your laptop has an HDD
- Outdated software or drivers
- Malware or unnecessary background processes
- Old hardware struggling to keep up
Now that you know what could be causing the slowdown, let’s fix it!
2. Quick Fixes to Instantly Improve Speed
If you need results fast, these quick fixes can help speed up your laptop in just a few minutes.
Restart Your Laptop
Restarting clears temporary files and resets system processes, giving your laptop a fresh start.
How to do it:
- Click the Start Menu (Windows logo on the bottom-left).
- Select Power → Restart.
- Once it reboots, check if your laptop feels faster.
Disable Startup Programs
Some apps automatically start running when you turn on your laptop, slowing it down. Disabling them can free up memory and improve speed.
How to do it on Windows:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Look for apps you don’t need at startup (e.g., Spotify, Zoom, Adobe).
- Right-click the app and select Disable.
Disabling unnecessary startup apps will also improve boot time.
Clear Out Junk Files
Over time, your laptop collects temporary files that take up space. Deleting them can free up gigabytes of storage.
How to do it on Windows:
- Press Win + R to open the Run window.
- Type
cleanmgrand press Enter. - Select your main drive (C:).
- Check the boxes for Temporary Files, Downloads, and Recycle Bin.
- Click OK, then Delete Files.
Using cleanup tools like CCleaner can remove even more junk files.
Uninstall Unused Programs
Old, unused programs waste storage and slow your laptop.
How to do it on Windows:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Go to Programs & Features.
- Look for apps you don’t use (e.g., old games, toolbars, or pre-installed bloatware).
- Click on the app and select Uninstall.
If you don’t recognize an app, Google it first to check if it’s safe to remove.
3. Advanced Steps for Long-Term Performance
If you’re still experiencing slowdowns, these advanced steps will show you how to speed up your laptop even further.
Adjust Power Settings for Better Performance
If your laptop is set to Battery Saver mode, it runs slower to conserve power. Switching to High Performance mode speeds things up.
How to do it on Windows:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on Power Options.
- Select High Performance.
For the best results, keep your laptop plugged in while using High Performance mode.
Check for Malware & Viruses
Malware and viruses can secretly slow down your laptop by running unwanted background processes.
How to scan for viruses:
- Open Windows Security (built-in antivirus).
- Click Virus & Threat Protection.
- Select Full Scan → Scan Now.
If you don’t have an antivirus, try Malwarebytes (free version) for a deep malware scan.
Update Windows & Drivers
Outdated software slows down your laptop and causes compatibility issues.
How to update Windows:
- Open Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for Updates.
How to update drivers:
- Open Device Manager (search for it in Start).
- Right-click Display Adapters, Network Adapters, and Disk Drives.
- Select Update Driver → Search automatically.
If your laptop feels laggy after a Windows update, you can rollback to the previous version in Settings → Update History.
4. Hardware Upgrades That Make the Biggest Difference
If your laptop is still slow, it might be time for an upgrade.
Upgrade to an SSD
Switching from an HDD to an SSD makes boot times up to 10x faster.
How to check if you have an HDD or SSD:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the Performance tab.
- Look under Disk—if it says HDD, consider upgrading to an SSD.
Recommended SSDs:
- Budget Option: Samsung 870 EVO SSD (Amazon)
- Premium Option: WD Black NVMe SSD (Amazon)
Add More RAM
If your laptop lags when running multiple apps, adding more RAM can boost performance.
How much RAM do you need?
- 4GB RAM – Bare minimum (slow)
- 8GB RAM – Good for everyday tasks
- 16GB RAM – Best for gaming, video editing, and multitasking
Recommended RAM:
- Crucial 8GB RAM (Amazon)
- Corsair Vengeance 16GB RAM (Amazon)
5. Final Tips to Keep Your Laptop Running Fast
To keep your laptop fast, make these habits part of your routine:
- Restart it at least once a week to refresh the system.
- Delete unused files and empty the Recycle Bin regularly.
- Avoid installing unnecessary software.
- Keep your laptop dust-free—use compressed air to clean vents.
Wrapping It Up: Should You Upgrade or Buy a New Laptop?
By following these steps, you now know how to speed up your laptop and keep it running smoothly. If you’ve tried everything and your laptop is still slow, it might be time to upgrade. If your laptop is over five years old, an SSD upgrade can extend its life for a few more years. However, if your laptop can’t handle basic tasks anymore, consider investing in a new one.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments!
Want more tech tips? Check out our latest posts on Smart Gadget HQ.
Take Action Now
- Check out our recommended SSDs & RAM upgrades on Amazon.
- Try these tips and let us know if they worked for you.
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