A slow laptop is rarely a lost cause. Most of the time it comes down to four things: too many programs running in the background, a nearly full drive, not enough memory, or heat. The first two are usually free to fix, and you can often feel the difference within minutes.
This guide shows you how to fix a slow laptop in the right order, starting with a quick check so you don't waste time on the wrong fix. The steps cover Windows 11 and Windows 10, and most also work if your desktop PC is running slow. The fixes draw on Microsoft's and Intel's own guidance, plus standard hardware upgrades. If yours is an older machine, jump to how to speed up an old laptop. For more walkthroughs like this one, browse our How-To Guides.
Here's how to speed up your laptop in five minutes
- Restart it. Choose Restart, not Shut down.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and close any app hogging CPU, memory or disk.
- Open the Startup apps tab and disable what you don't need.
- Free up storage in Settings → System → Storage.
- Plug in and set Power mode to Best performance.
Still slow? The cause is probably heat or hardware. Jump to Fix 9 and Fix 10.
Why Is My Laptop Slow? Find the Cause First
Slow performance of a computer usually traces back to four things: too little RAM for what you're running, a full or slow storage drive, too many background programs, or heat that forces the processor to slow itself down. Malware and outdated drivers are less common, but they're worth checking.
Check Task Manager Before You Change Anything
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click the Performance tab. Watch CPU, Memory and Disk while your laptop feels slow. Intel's guidance is that if any of them sits above roughly 80% most of the time, the laptop is being asked to do more than it can comfortably handle.
So how do you fix a slow laptop? Start by matching what you see to the most likely cause:
| What you see | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Memory stays above ~80% | Too many apps or tabs, or too little RAM | Fix 4, Fix 10 |
| Disk pinned near 100% on an older laptop | Hard drive, full storage, or heavy background activity | Fix 3, Fix 5, Fix 10 |
| CPU high with nothing open | A runaway app, background task or malware | Fix 4, Fix 8 |
| Fans loud, chassis hot, speed drops during heavy use | Overheating (thermal throttling) | Fix 9 |
| Slow mainly on battery | Power-saving mode | Fix 6 |
| Laptop looks fine, but web pages crawl | Wi-Fi or internet, not the laptop | Wi-Fi section |
| Slowdown began after a new app or update | That app, driver or update | Fix 4, Fix 7 |
If you keep asking yourself why's my laptop so laggy when nothing seems to be open, the Processes tab usually answers it. Click the Memory, CPU or Disk column header to sort by what's using the most.
What Makes a Computer Fast?
Four things, mainly:
- Processor (CPU): does the thinking. In most laptops you can't upgrade it.
- Memory (RAM): your short-term workspace. When it fills up, Windows leans on your much slower drive and everything drags.
- Storage: a solid-state drive (SSD) opens apps and files far faster than a hard disk drive (HDD), which relies on moving parts.
- Cooling: a hot laptop protects itself by slowing down.
Add the software load, everything running on top of those parts, and you have the full picture. Most fixes below reduce that load. The last one upgrades the hardware.
10 Proven Fixes to Speed Up a Slow Laptop
Work through these in order. After each fix, check whether the laptop feels quicker before moving on. Fixes 1 to 8 cost nothing.
Fix 1: Restart Your Laptop (Properly)
A restart clears your RAM and stops runaway processes, which is why "turn it off and on again" keeps working. Intel lists it as the first thing to try.
There's a catch. On Windows, Shut down can use Fast Startup, which saves part of the system state so the next boot is quicker. That means a shut down doesn't always give you a truly fresh start. Restart does.
Go to Start → Power → Restart. Restarting at least once a week is a sensible habit, and it's worth doing any time the laptop starts to drag.
Fix 2: Disable Startup Apps
Many apps add themselves to your startup list, then quietly use memory and processing power every time you turn the laptop on.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Startup apps from the left-hand menu.
- Right-click an app you don't need at startup and choose Disable.
You can also go to Settings → Apps → Startup and toggle apps off.
Good candidates: chat apps, game launchers, updaters and manufacturer extras. Leave your security software and touchpad or audio drivers alone. If you don't recognize an entry, search its name before disabling it. The "startup impact" label in Windows is only an estimate, so use your own judgment.
Fix 3: Free Up Storage Space
A nearly full drive slows Windows down because it needs spare room for temporary files and virtual memory.
- Go to Settings → System → Storage.
- Select Temporary files, tick what you want to remove, then choose Remove files.
- Turn on Storage Sense, or select Run Storage Sense now, to clear temporary files automatically.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps and uninstall apps you no longer use.
- Check your Downloads folder, and move photos and videos to an external drive or cloud storage.
How much free space is enough? Intel suggests keeping roughly 10–15% of a hard drive free, and 25–30% of an SSD. If you can't reach that, get as close as you can.
Do I need to defragment? Hard drives (HDDs) are optimized on a schedule by Windows, so you rarely need to do it yourself. SSDs should not be manually defragmented. Windows uses a different maintenance method for them (TRIM) automatically.
Fix 4: Close Heavy Apps, Tabs and Extensions
Open Task Manager's Processes tab, sort by Memory or CPU, and end tasks for apps you aren't using. Be careful with anything you don't recognize. Search the name first, because ending a Windows system process can cause problems.
Your browser is often the biggest culprit:
- Close tabs you're not using. Edge's sleeping tabs and Chrome's Memory Saver can pause inactive tabs for you.
- Remove extensions you don't need.
- Clear cached data with Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
Fix 5: Turn Off Background Apps and Pause OneDrive Sync
Some apps keep working in the background even when you're not using them.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Select the three dots (…) next to an app, then Advanced options.
- Under Background app permissions, set Let this app run in the background to Never.
If you use OneDrive, syncing can use disk and processor resources while it uploads and downloads. Click the cloud icon in the taskbar, open its settings (the gear icon) and choose Pause syncing while you work. You can also switch off notifications you don't need, which Microsoft says can give a small improvement.
Fix 6: Set the Right Power Mode and Trim Visual Effects
If you want to boost laptop performance while you're plugged in, check your power mode. Power-saving settings can slow a laptop noticeably.
Windows 11: go to Settings → System → Power & battery and set Power mode to Best performance. Windows 10: click the battery icon in the taskbar and drag the slider toward Best performance.
Microsoft warns that this setting drains the battery faster and can make the laptop run warmer. Use it when you're plugged in and need the speed.
Next, trim visual effects. Type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows into the Start menu, open it, and choose Adjust for best performance. You'll lose some animations and transparency. The gain is usually more noticeable on older laptops.
Fix 7: Install Windows and Driver Updates
Updates often include performance and stability fixes.
- Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
- Then open Advanced options → Optional updates and install any driver updates listed.
Your manufacturer's support app (Lenovo Vantage, HP Support Assistant or Dell SupportAssist, for example) can also find driver updates. Only update your BIOS from your laptop maker's official site, with the laptop plugged in, and only if there's a specific reason such as a fix for a known issue.
After a big update, Windows may keep working in the background for a while, so restart and give it some time before judging the result.
Fix 8: Scan for Malware (and Skip "PC Cleaner" Apps)
Malware can eat processing power and disk activity without you noticing. Some strains even use your CPU quietly for tasks like cryptocurrency mining.
- Open Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
- Choose Quick scan.
- If you still suspect a problem, go to Scan options and run a Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
Be wary of "PC booster" and "cleaner" programs. Some duplicate free tools you already have, and fake antivirus programs are a known way to spread malware. If you want a one-click helper, Microsoft's own PC Manager app is an option. You can do everything it does by hand using the steps above. And skip registry cleaners: the speed gain is negligible and the risk isn't.
Fix 9: Check for Overheating
When a laptop gets too hot, it lowers its processor speed to protect itself. This is called thermal throttling, and it feels exactly like a slow laptop. Signs include loud fans, a hot underside, and performance that falls off after a few minutes of heavy use.
To monitor overheating, use a free tool such as HWMonitor or Core Temp to watch CPU temperatures in real time. Compare them with your processor's maximum operating temperature, which Intel and AMD list for each chip.
If it's running hot:
- Use the laptop on a hard, flat surface, not a bed or sofa.
- Power it off and unplug it, then clear the vents with short bursts of compressed air.
- Try a cooling pad if your laptop has bottom vents. It won't work miracles, but it can help a little.
- On older laptops, dried-out thermal paste may need replacing. Have a technician do it, especially if the laptop is under warranty.
Advanced note (optional). You may see settings like Turbo Boost Short Power Max in Intel's Extreme Tuning Utility, or Max CPU Boost Clock Override in some AMD BIOS menus. They control how hard and how long a processor can boost. Deciding whether to increase or decrease them is an enthusiast job, and many laptops lock them. Raising the limits mostly adds heat, which is the opposite of what a slow laptop needs. For everyday troubleshooting, leave them alone.
Fix 10: Upgrade RAM or Switch to an SSD
If the free fixes didn't do enough, hardware is next. This is the best way to upgrade laptop speed for the long term, but only if you upgrade the right part. Task Manager tells you which one.
| What Task Manager shows | Best upgrade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Memory regularly above ~80%, or often 100% | Add RAM (if your model allows it) | When RAM runs out, Windows shuffles data to a slower drive |
| Disk maxed out and your laptop has an HDD | Switch to an SSD | SSDs are much faster than drives with moving parts |
| CPU maxed out even after cleanup | Usually a new laptop | Laptop processors can rarely be upgraded |
Before you buy anything:
- Find your exact model (Settings → System → About, or the sticker underneath) and check the manufacturer's spec page for RAM type, maximum capacity and free slots. Many thin laptops have RAM soldered to the board.
- Match the SSD type. Laptops use either 2.5-inch SATA drives or M.2 drives (SATA or NVMe). Your spec page will say which.
- Use two matching RAM sticks if you have two slots. Dual-channel memory performs better.
- Back up first, and check whether opening the laptop affects your warranty.
Windows 11's official minimum is 4 GB of RAM, but for comfortable multitasking with a modern browser, 8 GB is a more realistic starting point.
Still Slow? Reset Windows as a Last Resort
If everything else has failed and the hardware is healthy, a reset can clear out years of clutter. Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC and choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
Back up first, and expect to reinstall your apps. A reset won't fix overheating or failing hardware. The same backup rule applies to phones, so if you're also dealing with a sluggish handset, read our guide on how to factory reset an Android phone without losing data.
How to Speed Up an Old Laptop
If you're wondering how to make an old laptop faster, do Fixes 1 to 8 first. They're free and often help more than you'd expect. Then, if it's still slow, hardware is where older laptops gain the most:
- Swap an HDD for an SSD. For a laptop with a hard drive, this is usually the biggest single improvement.
- Add RAM, if your laptop supports it and Task Manager shows memory running high.
- Clean the vents and consider fresh thermal paste.
- Reset Windows for a clean start.
A note on Windows 10. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Laptops running it still work, but they no longer receive free security updates or technical support. If your laptop is eligible, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free via Settings → Windows Update. If it isn't, Microsoft says consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) are available until October 12, 2027. Check Microsoft's ESU page for the current terms, since programs like this can change.
When to stop upgrading. Microsoft itself notes that older hardware may not improve much with software tweaks. A common rule of thumb is to replace rather than repair when the upgrade would cost around half the price of a comparable new laptop, when the battery has failed, or when the laptop can't run a supported version of Windows.
Slow Laptop or Slow Wi-Fi? How to Improve Internet Speed on a Laptop
Sometimes the laptop is fine and the connection isn't. Run a speed test on your laptop and on your phone, standing in the same spot.
- Phone fast, laptop slow: the problem is on the laptop. Update the Wi-Fi driver (Fix 7) and close background downloads and syncing (Fix 5).
- Both slow: the problem is your router or provider. Restart the router, move closer to it, and use the 5 GHz band if you have one. Heavy local traffic in the evening can also slow things down.
Slow MacBook? Four Quick Checks
Menu names vary by macOS version, but these work on most Macs:
- Restart the Mac.
- Open Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities) to see which apps use the most CPU and memory, then quit the heavy ones.
- Remove unneeded Login Items in System Settings → General.
- Check Storage in System Settings → General and clear space.
How to Keep Your Laptop Fast
Once it's running well, a small routine keeps it that way. This is how to improve laptop speed for the long term:
- Weekly: restart, close unused tabs, glance at free storage.
- Monthly: run Storage Sense, review your startup apps, install Windows and driver updates, run a quick malware scan.
- Every 6–12 months: clean the vents and uninstall apps you no longer use.
- Before installing new software: ask whether you really need it. Every extra app is another thing that can run in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my laptop so slow all of a sudden?
Common causes are a new or heavy app, a Windows update running in the background, nearly full storage, malware, power-saving mode, or overheating. If your computer is running so slowly out of nowhere, restart it, open Task Manager and see what's using the most CPU, memory or disk. The symptom table above points you to the matching fix.
How do I fix a slow laptop for free?
Fixes 1 to 8 cost nothing: restart, disable startup apps, free up storage, close heavy apps and tabs, set the right power mode, install updates and run a malware scan. Hardware upgrades like RAM or an SSD are the only steps that cost money.
How can I speed up my laptop without resetting Windows?
Try Fixes 1 to 8 first. Most slowdowns come from startup apps, low storage or background activity, and none of those need a reset. Reset only if they fail, and back up your files first.
Does adding more RAM make a laptop faster?
Only if RAM is the bottleneck. If Task Manager shows memory regularly above about 80%, more RAM should help. If memory use is low and the disk or processor is maxed out, extra RAM won't fix it. Check first whether your laptop's RAM is upgradeable, because some models solder it to the board.
Is upgrading to an SSD worth it on an old laptop?
If your laptop has a hard drive, usually yes. It's typically the biggest upgrade an older laptop can get, with faster startup and quicker app loading. If it already has an SSD, a faster one won't change much.
Do PC cleaner or booster apps really work?
Mostly they repeat things Windows already does for free, and some are unwanted software or outright scams. If you want a helper, Microsoft's PC Manager is an official option. The manual steps in this guide achieve the same results.
How often should I restart my laptop?
At least once a week, and any time it feels sluggish. Use Restart rather than Shut down, since Shut down may use Fast Startup and not fully refresh the system.
Can overheating make a laptop slow?
Yes. Laptops lower their processor speed when they get too hot, which is called thermal throttling. Loud fans, a hot chassis and slowdowns during heavy tasks are the usual signs. Clean the vents, use a hard surface and monitor temperatures with a free tool.
Is it my laptop or my internet that's slow?
Test on a second device in the same spot. If your phone is fast and your laptop is slow, the laptop is the problem. If both are slow, look at your router or provider.
Final Thoughts
Speeding up a slow laptop is mostly about finding the bottleneck, then applying the cheapest fix that removes it. Diagnose with Task Manager, work through Fixes 1 to 8, and turn to RAM or an SSD only when the numbers say you need to. If the laptop is too old to run a supported version of Windows, replacing it may be the smarter move.
Have a laptop that's still stubbornly slow? Tell us the model and what Task Manager shows in the comments, and for more step-by-step tech fixes, see our How-To Guides.
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