Windows 11 is a powerful and feature-rich operating system, but even the best systems can experience slow performance over time. You may sometime notice Windows 11 responding very slowly, or not responding at startup. A number of users report Laptop is very slow after Windows 11 update or Windows file explorer stops responding multiple times. Several factors can contribute to this issue, such as outdated software, excessive startup programs, insufficient hardware resources, or malware infections. This article explores different solutions you can apply to fix the Windows 11 slow performance issue that started after a recent update or Windows 11 upgrade.
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Windows 11 is very Slow after update
It may be certain background processes or task running background and consuming high CPU or memory usage that need to be disabled. It might be Outdated or incompatible drivers and system file corruption negatively impacts system performance. You need to update the device driver and run the system file checker utility to get rid of such problems.
Again a simple restart can often help resolve performance issues. Restart your Windows 11 system to clear any temporary glitches or issues that might be causing the slowness.
Update Windows 11 and Drivers
Keeping your Windows 11 operating system up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Regularly check for Windows updates and install them to ensure you have the latest bug fixes and improvements. Additionally, update your device drivers, including graphics, sound, and network drivers, as outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues and sluggish system performance.
To install latest Windows updates:
- Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon.
- In the Settings window, select “Windows Update” from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the “Check for updates” button to search for available updates.
- If updates are found, click on the “Download and install” button to install them.
To update device drivers,
- Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager,
- Expand the categories and right-click on each device to select “Update driver.”
- For example, if you want to update the display driver, expand the “Display adapters” category and select Update driver from the context menu.
- In the Update Drivers window, you have two options:
- Select “Search automatically for drivers” to let Windows search and install the latest driver automatically from the internet.
- Select “Browse my computer for drivers” if you have downloaded the driver installation files to your computer. Browse and select the location where the driver files are stored.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers for each device. After the update is finished, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Manage Startup Programs
Too many programs launching at startup can significantly impact your Windows 11 system’s speed. Disable unnecessary startup programs to reduce the system’s workload during boot and improve its overall responsiveness. You can manage startup programs through the Task Manager or the Startup Apps settings in Windows 11.
Disable startup programs can help improve the overall performance and boot time of your Windows 11 system.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager window, click on the “Startup” tab.
- You will see a list of programs that launch during startup. Right-click on any unnecessary programs and select “Disable.”
- Repeat step 3 for all unnecessary programs.
- Close the Task Manager and Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Optimize Windows Power Settings
Adjusting power settings can have a notable impact on Windows 11 performance. By default, Windows often prioritizes power efficiency over performance. To enhance system responsiveness, choose a power plan that emphasizes performance or customize the existing power plan settings accordingly.
- Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon.
- In the Settings window, select “System” from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the “Power (or Power & battery)” option.
- Choose a power plan that emphasizes performance, such as “Best performance.”
- Best power efficiency – saves energy by reducing the device performance when possible.
- Balanced – automatically balances performance with energy consumption on capable hardware.
- Best performance – offers the most performance, but it uses more energy.
Perform Disk Cleanup and Defragmentation
Accumulated temporary files, system logs, and unnecessary data can clutter your hard drive and impede system performance. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove junk files and free up disk space. Additionally, consider defragmenting your hard drive to optimize data placement and enhance file access speed.
Perform Disk Cleanup:
- Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- Right-click on the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and select “Properties.”
- In the Properties window, click on the “Disk Cleanup” button.
- Select the types of files you want to delete (e.g., temporary files, system files) and click on “OK.”
To defragment your hard drive:
- Go back to the Properties window and click on the “Tools” tab.
- Under the “Optimize and defragment drive” section, click on the “Optimize” button.
- Select the drive you want to defragment and click on “Optimize.”
Note – If you have SSD drive installed skip the defragment option.
Disable Visual Effects
Windows 11 offers visually appealing effects, but these graphical enhancements can consume system resources and contribute to slow performance. Adjusting or disabling visual effects can alleviate the strain on your system, resulting in smoother operation. Access the Visual Effects settings in Windows 11 and choose the “Adjust for best performance” option or customize the settings based on your preferences.
- Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon.
- In the Settings window, select “System” from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the “Display” option.
- Scroll down and click on the “Advanced display settings” link.
- Under the “Advanced display settings” section, click on the “Display adapter properties” link.
- In the Properties window, go to the “Visual Effects” tab.
- Select the option to “Adjust for best performance” or manually uncheck the visual effects you want to disable.
- Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Adjust Virtual Memory
Virtual memory, also known as the page file, supplements your computer’s physical RAM. An incorrectly configured virtual memory size can lead to performance issues. Adjust the virtual memory settings to let Windows manage it automatically or set a custom size based on your system’s requirements.
- Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon.
- In the Settings window, select “System” from the left-hand menu then Click on the “About” option.
- Under the “Device specifications” section, click on the “Advanced system settings” link.
- In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Click on the “Settings” button under the “Performance” section.
- In the Performance Options window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Click on the “Change” button under the “Virtual memory” section.
- Uncheck the option to “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
- Select the drive where Windows is installed and choose either “System managed size” or “Custom size” for the virtual memory.
- If choosing “Custom size,” enter the initial and maximum size values based on your system’s requirements.
- Click on “Set” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Scan for Malware and Viruses
Malware and viruses can significantly impact system performance by consuming resources and causing disruptions. Regularly scan your Windows 11 system with a reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove any potential threats. Ensure your security software is up to date to protect against the latest threats.
- Install a reputable antivirus or anti-malware software if you don’t have one already.
- Update the antivirus/anti-malware software to ensure it has the latest virus definitions.
- Run a full system scan to detect and remove any malware or viruses.
- Follow the software’s instructions to quarantine or remove any threats found.
Remove Unnecessary Programs and Files
Uninstalling unused or unnecessary programs not only frees up disk space but also reduces the background processes running on your system. Use the Installed app settings in Windows 11 to uninstall unwanted programs. Additionally, delete any files or folders that are no longer needed to improve system performance.
- Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon.
- In the Settings window, select “Apps” from the left-hand menu.
- In the Installed app section, scroll through the list of installed programs.
- Click on any unnecessary program and select “Uninstall” to remove it from your system.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
- To delete unnecessary files, open File Explorer and navigate to the folders where these files are stored.
- Select the files you want to delete, right-click, and choose “Delete.”
Upgrade Hardware Components
If your Windows 11 system is consistently slow despite implementing the above solutions, it may be time to consider upgrading your hardware. Increasing the amount of RAM, upgrading to a faster solid-state drive (SSD), or replacing an outdated processor can significantly enhance system performance.
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