10 Ways to Make Your Computer Run Faster (Windows 11 and 10)
Is your computer slow? When guest author Ruchir first wrote this post, his PC took over 10 minutes to start, and a few clean-ups brought it down to about a minute. The same ideas still work in 2026, with newer tools: fewer startup apps, less bloat, an SSD and enough RAM. Here are 10 ways to make your computer run faster on Windows 11 and 10, most of them free.
Quick answer: Restart the PC, disable unneeded startup apps in Task Manager, uninstall bloatware, free up disk space with Storage Sense, close extra browser tabs and extensions, run a Windows Security scan, and install updates. If it’s still slow, upgrade to an SSD and add RAM (16 GB is a comfortable amount in 2026).
Table of Contents
10 ways to make your computer run faster
1. Restart properly
Windows Fast Startup means “Shut down” doesn’t fully reset the system. Use Restart every few days to clear memory and finish updates.
2. Disable startup apps
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, go to Startup apps and disable anything you don’t need at login: chat apps, updaters, game launchers, cloud tools you rarely use. If you don’t know what an app does, search before disabling it.
3. Uninstall bloatware
New PCs ship with trial antivirus, games and vendor utilities. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and remove what you don’t use.
4. Free up disk space
Turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to clear temp files and the Recycle Bin automatically, and use Cleanup recommendations. Keep at least 15 to 20% of your drive free.
5. Tame your browser
Dozens of tabs and extensions use more memory than most apps. Remove unused extensions, and turn on Memory Saver in Chrome or Sleeping Tabs in Edge. One browser is usually enough.
6. Scan for malware
Run a full scan with the built-in Windows Security. For a second opinion, use the free Malwarebytes scanner. Malware and crypto-miners can slow a PC to a crawl.
7. Install updates and drivers
Windows Update and your PC maker’s support app deliver performance fixes and drivers, especially for graphics and storage.
8. Choose a performance power mode
In Settings > System > Power & battery, set Power mode to Best performance when plugged in.
9. Reduce visual effects
On older PCs, search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” and choose Adjust for best performance, or turn off Animation effects in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.
10. Upgrade to an SSD and add RAM
The biggest speed boost for an older PC is replacing a hard disk (HDD) with an SSD: startup drops from minutes to seconds. Adding RAM helps if Task Manager shows memory near 100%. 8 GB is the minimum for Windows 11; 16 GB is comfortable.
Tips from the original post that changed
- One IM client (Digsby) and IE Tab for Windows Update are long gone: Windows Update is in Settings now.
- Startup delay tools are less needed; Windows already staggers startup apps.
- Desktop shortcuts don’t slow startup noticeably, but a tidy desktop and the Start search are still faster to use.
Still slow?
Use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC with “Keep my files” for a fresh Windows install (step-by-step guide: how to factory reset Windows 11). Or give an old laptop a second life with a lightweight system; here’s how to install Ubuntu Linux.
FAQ
Why is my computer so slow all of a sudden?
Often a big update running in the background, a full disk, malware, or one app using all the CPU. Check Task Manager’s Processes tab.
Do PC cleaner apps help?
Mostly not. Windows’ own tools do the job; many “optimizer” apps add bloat or adware.
How much RAM do I need?
8 GB for basic use, 16 GB for multitasking and photo editing, 32 GB for video editing and heavy gaming.
Originally written by guest author Ruchir Chawdhry, who blogged about gadgets, software and Windows tips at TechVivo. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.
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I definitely need to get rid of some of my programs I no longer use. I also use Krojam Cleaner to keep my system running smoothly.
Most of this list doesn’t matter anymore, since most computers are now shipping with with quad-core CPUs and 4GB RAM and dedicated GPUs, etc.. I would say the only 2 things that are important would be having ONE anti-virus/anti-spyware, and keeping Windows updated as needed.
Install linux, Ubuntu a good one and that is that.
If you use Vista or Windows 7, you don’t even need IE Tab to update as Windows Update in those OS’s is a Control Panel app.
Isn’t RAM useful for other reasons as well? RAM will also improve the pixelation/ graphics and bring images into sharper focus. Thanks for the advice on deleting the autoinstall programs that were on my computer when I got it. I always knew those things were useless.
Cool tips. More here: defrag your disk, turn off unnecessary system services :D
Well the best is to
1. Upgrade Your RAM
At least 1GB~2GB of RAM
2. Get Rid of Unneeded Software
Some may take up alot of space and crash your computer.
3. Check for Malware, Spyware, Viruses Regularly.Viruses will make your computer work slower or make the program not responding.I Suggest you try AVG if your computer does not hav any Anti-Virus software.@http://free.avg.com/
4. Most important-Update your Anti-Virus software and on Firewalls,try to make your internet security high so that it could block those websites that hav some viruses.
Try out http://www.pcsurgeon.synthesite.com its was only $9.99 and came with
Anti Virus, Spyware and a hard disk defragger. Also came with a
tutorial that included tips and tricks to keep your computer fast,
healthy and up to date. I was pretty impressed. This is all you really
need to clean your computer of any viruses and spyware and keep it
protected and running like its brand new.
One other tip: Make sure you keep on top of all your history and temporary internet files.
There is a great program out there called CCleaner.
It is 100% free and does a great job! Deletes applications history such as windows media player, firefox, recent opened documents etc.
For information on how to install this application visit my article here(includes screenshots): https://www.privilegedsoftware.com/
Regards,
Colin Jensen
You know…to each person they have their own preference. And your computer speed is dependent upon what applications use the most ram and how fast of a processor you have to process of of the information. You are actually installing more programs. Launchy is a waste of a product and getting your applications from the desktop is no faster than using launchy or the quick launch in your toolbar.
Also if you want to change your startup programs or services then just go to Start>run>msconfig and do it there rather than installing more software to do what may seem as the easier way.
That way you don’t have to install a startup delay or the revo uninstaller for startup programs. Windows has everything you need to fix that, But using it right is what it depends on.
And while I’m here if you want a browser that renders in the 3 main browser engines, I’d suggest your one browser you keep is Lunscape.
Keep one browser? I’m an Opera user and we have no IE Tab and wouldn’t use Firefox ever again, so I’ll keep IE I think. And as for your choice of all in one instant messengers, I see it goes well with your choice of browser. Both resourse hogs and bloatware. I’m suprised you didn’t metion stardock as an application launcher. That would really fit the bill. lol
Thanks for the tips.For the IM need there is all in one plugin available Firefox which is Meebo.
@above people:
There’s a firefox add-on (IE Tab) that can display web pages using IE rendering. I think you didn’t read the whole post.
As Benjamin said, for some it’s quite impossible to keep only one browser since there are so many sites optimized for one perticular browser.
Well, you can also keep 2 browsers such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
Does not need too much browsers as it might take up some space.
Why
do you want to face a desktop as a gray wild hill but a gorgeous palace
Do I need to keep all those Java updates? each taking 100+ mb?
“Keep Only One Browser”
IE isn’t my favorite but I still need to keep it since some sites work with IE only.
IE Tab solves that problem.