Windows 11 Slow? Speed Up Your PC with these Proven Workarounds

Many users have reported encountering this issue, and it can be frustrating to deal with. But don’t worry, there are several solutions you can try to fix the problem. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most effective methods for improving the speed and performance of your Windows 11 system.

If your Windows 11 operating system is experiencing lagging, it can be frustrating and impact your productivity. Lagging can manifest in various ways, such as slow application loading times, unresponsive programs, and stuttering mouse movement.

There are several potential causes for lagging on Windows 11, including:

• Insufficient hardware resources: If your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, it may struggle to keep up with the demands of running the operating system.
• Unnecessary files and programs: Over time, your computer can accumulate unnecessary files and programs that take up valuable system resources. These can slow down your computer and cause lagging.
• Outdated drivers: Outdated drivers can cause conflicts and compatibility issues with Windows 11, leading to slow performance and lagging.
• Running too many background processes: If your computer is running too many background processes, it can cause your system to slow down and become unresponsive.
• Malware or viruses: Malware or viruses can cause your computer to slow down and become unresponsive.

To deal with lagging problems on Windows 11, you can try the following workarounds:

1. Check Your Hardware

Before you begin, it’s important to make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. If your computer doesn’t meet these requirements, it may be the cause of the slow and lagging performance. 

When checking your hardware, it is important to pay attention to the following specifications:

• RAM: Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM to run smoothly. If your computer has less than 4GB, you may experience slow performance and lagging. Upgrading your RAM can help improve your computer’s performance.
• CPU: The processing power of your CPU plays a crucial role in the performance of your computer. A powerful CPU can handle more demanding tasks and run multiple programs at once without slowing down. Make sure that your CPU meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
• Hard Drive: The size of your hard drive can also impact the performance of your computer. A larger hard drive will allow you to store more files, programs, and data on your computer. Make sure that your hard drive has enough free space to run Windows 11 smoothly.
• Graphics card: if you use your computer for gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, you will need a powerful graphics card. Make sure that your graphics card meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.

By ensuring that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, you can rule out hardware as the cause of the slow and lagging performance. If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, you may need to consider upgrading your hardware to improve performance.

It’s also good to keep in mind that even if your computer meets the minimum system requirements, other factors such as software conflicts, outdated drivers, or malware can still cause slow performance and lagging. Therefore, it is important to troubleshoot and fix these issues as well.

2. Clear Out Unnecessary Files

Over time, your computer can accumulate a lot of unnecessary files that can slow it down. This includes temporary files, downloaded files, and files in the recycle bin. By clearing out these files, you can free up space on your hard drive and improve the speed and performance of your system.

Here are a few ways to clear out unnecessary files from your computer:

• Disk Cleanup: Windows 11 includes a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that can help you remove unnecessary files from your computer. To use Disk Cleanup, open the Start menu and type “Disk Cleanup” into the search bar. Select the Disk Cleanup app from the search results and choose the drive you want to clean up. The app will then scan the drive and show you a list of files that can be safely removed.
• Delete Temporary Files: Temporary files are often created when you use your computer and can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. To delete these files, open the Start menu and type “temp” into the search bar. Select the folder called “Temp” from the search results and delete all the files inside.
• Remove Unused Programs: If you have programs on your computer that you no longer use, they can take up valuable space on your hard drive. To remove these programs, go to the Control Panel and select “Programs and Features.” Look through the list of programs and select any that you no longer use. Click the “Uninstall” button to remove the program.
• Move files to an external hard drive: If you have too many files on your computer and you don’t want to delete them, moving them to an external hard drive can also free up space and improve the performance of your computer.

By clearing out unnecessary files from your computer, you can free up space on your hard drive and improve the speed and performance of your system. This will also help to prevent the windows keeps lagging problem.

It’s also worth to mention that it’s good to regularly maintain your computer by running disk cleanup, deleting temporary files and uninstalling unused programs.

3. Disable Unnecessary Programs and Services

Many programs and services run in the background on your computer, even when you’re not using them. These programs can use up valuable resources and slow down your system. By disabling these programs and services, you can improve the speed and performance of your computer.

Here are a few ways to disable unnecessary programs and services on your computer:

• Task Manager: Windows 11 includes a built-in tool called Task Manager that allows you to view and manage the programs and services running on your computer. To open Task Manager, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard or right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager.” Look through the list of programs and services and select any that you don’t need to run. Click the “End Task” button to close the program or right-click on the service and select “Stop” to stop it from running.
• Services: Windows 11 also includes a tool called Services that allows you to view and manage the services running on your computer. To open Services, press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard and type “services.msc” into the Run dialog box. Look through the list of services and select any that you don’t need to run. Right-click on the service and select “Stop” to stop it from running.
• Startup Programs: Many programs automatically start when you turn on your computer, which can slow down the startup process. To disable these programs, go to the Task Manager and select the “Startup” tab. Look through the list of programs and select any that you don’t need to start automatically. Right-click on the program and select “Disable” to prevent it from starting automatically.
• Uninstall unnecessary programs: Another way to disable unnecessary programs is by uninstalling them. This can be done via the Control Panel as mentioned earlier in the article.

4. Update Your Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause conflicts and slow down your system. Make sure to regularly update your drivers to ensure that they are compatible with your version of Windows. You can use a driver update tool like DriverEasy to automatically update your drivers.

Updating your drivers can be an effective way to improve the speed and performance of your computer, and fix the windows keeps lagging problem. 

Here are a few ways to update your drivers:

• Manually update your drivers: You can manually update your drivers by visiting the website of the manufacturer of your hardware. Look for the latest available driver updates and download them to your computer. Once downloaded, install the updates by following the prompts.
• Use a driver update tool: There are several driver update tools available online, such as DriverEasy, that can automatically scan your computer for outdated drivers and update them for you. These tools can save you time and effort, as they will automatically check for updates and install them for you.
• Check Windows Update: Windows Update can also be used to update your drivers. Go to the Control Panel and click on Windows Update. It will check for available updates and install them if found.

It’s important to regularly update your drivers to ensure that they are compatible with your version of Windows and to fix the windows keeps lagging problem. Keeping your drivers up to date can help prevent conflicts and improve the performance of your computer.

It’s worth to mention that updating your drivers can also help fix other issues that you may be experiencing with your computer, such as blue screen errors or device malfunction. It’s a good practice to regularly check for updates, and keep your drivers up-to-date.

5. Optimize Your Startup Programs

Many programs are set to run automatically when your computer starts up. This can slow down the startup process and use up valuable resources. By optimizing your startup programs, you can improve the speed and performance of your computer.

• Optimizing your startup programs is a great way to improve the speed and performance of your computer, and fix the windows keeps lagging problem. Here are a few ways to optimize your startup programs:
• Manually disable startup programs: You can manually disable startup programs by going to the Task Manager. In the Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and disable any programs that you don’t need to run automatically when your computer starts up.
• Use a startup manager tool: There are several startup manager tools available online, such as CCleaner, that can automatically scan your computer for unnecessary programs that run at startup and disable them for you. These tools can save you time and effort, as they will automatically check for startup programs and disable them for you.
• Check for background apps: Windows 11 has a new feature called “Background Apps”, which allows apps to run in the background even when you’re not using them. To disable this feature, go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Background apps”, and turn off the apps that you don’t want to run in the background.

Optimizing your startup programs can help improve the speed and performance of your computer and fix the windows keeps lagging problem. By disabling unnecessary programs that run at startup, you can free up valuable resources and make your computer start up faster.

It’s worth mentioning that disabling some startup programs may cause some functionality issues, so be careful when disabling startup programs, and make sure you are familiar with the program, and what it does before disabling it.

6. Scan computer for malware and viruses

Running a malware scan can also come in handy to rule out malware or viruses from the underlying causes of the lagging issue on your computer.

It’s important to regularly run a malware scan to ensure that your computer is free from harmful malware and viruses. These malicious programs can not only slow down your system, but they can also steal sensitive information and cause damage to your files. 

Use a reputable antivirus software and scan your computer regularly to protect your system from malware and viruses. Additionally, it is also important to keep your antivirus software up to date, as new malware and viruses are constantly being created. 

Keep your computer and your antivirus software updated to ensure maximum protection against malware and viruses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, slow and lagging performance on Windows 11 can be caused by a variety of factors, such as hardware requirements, unnecessary files, and outdated drivers. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can improve the speed and performance of your system and get back to enjoying your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Windows 11 operating system running slow and lagging?

Slow and lagging performance on Windows 11 can be caused by a variety of factors, such as hardware requirements not being met, unnecessary files accumulating on your computer, and outdated drivers.

How can I clear out unnecessary files on my computer?

You can clear out unnecessary files by using the built-in disk cleanup tool on your computer or by using a third-party cleanup tool.

How do I disable unnecessary programs and services on my computer?

You can disable unnecessary programs and services by going to the Task Manager on your computer and disabling any programs or services that you don’t need running in the background.

How often should I update my drivers?

It is recommended to update your drivers regularly, at least once a month, to ensure that they are compatible with your version of Windows and to avoid conflicts that can slow down your system.

Can optimizing my startup programs improve the speed and performance of my computer?

Yes, optimizing your startup programs can improve the speed and performance of your computer by reducing the number of programs that run automatically when your computer starts up and reducing the amount of resources used during the startup process.