Alex Ruben
How to Fix Windows 11 Lagging and Slow Performance Issues in 2025
Is your Windows 11 PC experiencing sluggishness and lagging issues? You’re not alone. Many users encounter performance problems with Windows 11, whether it’s slow startup times, unresponsive applications, or general lagging. This guide will walk you step-by-step through practical solutions to enhance your system’s performance and get everything running smoothly again. We’ll cover essential adjustments that can be quickly made to transform your user experience.
Step 1: Disable Unwanted Startup Programs
Many programs set themselves to launch at startup, which can significantly slow down your system. To disable unwanted startup programs, follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, navigate to the Startup tab.
- Review the list of programs. Right-click on any program you don’t need to start automatically and select Disable.
This will help free up resources during boot time, allowing your computer to start faster and perform better.
Step 2: Disable All Unwanted Program Permissions
Granting unnecessary permissions to various applications can lead to performance bottlenecks. To manage application permissions:
- Open the Settings by pressing Windows + I.
- Go to Privacy & Security and then navigate to App permissions.
- Review the list of apps and disable permissions that aren’t needed.
By limiting app permissions, you reduce background activity that can slow down your system.
Step 3: Disable Unwanted Background Apps
Background apps can consume CPU and RAM resources. To disable them:
- Access Settings again, and go to Apps.
- Select Apps & features.
- Click on the three dots next to applications you seldom use and select Advanced options.
- Find the Background apps permissions or similar section and set it to Never.
This will help improve overall system responsiveness by minimizing resource usage from applications that you don’t actively use.
Step 4: Disable Windows Updates
While keeping your system updated is important for security, sometimes Windows updates can interfere with system performance, especially during installation. To manage Windows Updates:
- Open Settings and navigate to Windows Update.
- Click on Advanced options.
- To reduce interruptions, consider pausing updates temporarily by selecting Pause updates.
This allows you to control when updates are applied, enabling you to keep your system running smoothly without sudden slowdowns.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are additional tips to ensure your Windows 11 runs more efficiently:
- Regularly perform disk cleanup to remove temporary files.
- Defragment your hard drive if you’re using an HDD (not necessary for SSDs).
- Upgrade hardware if feasible, such as adding more RAM or switching to an SSD.
Common mistakes include running too many background applications and keeping unnecessary startup programs active. Regularly review your system settings and performance metrics to stay on top of any abnormalities.
Conclusion
By implementing these steps, you should experience a noticeable improvement in the speed and responsiveness of your Windows 11 PC. Keeping your system optimized not only helps in faster processing but enhances overall user satisfaction and productivity. If you encounter persistent issues despite following these steps, consider seeking professional tech support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my Windows 11 run faster?
Disabling unnecessary startup programs, optimizing app permissions, limiting background processes, and controlling updates can significantly enhance performance.
Why is Windows 11 slower than Windows 10?
Performance issues can stem from compatibility, hardware limitations, or numerous background processes; these can often be rectified with proper system management.
What can I do if Windows 11 is still running slow after updates?
If performance issues persist after updates, consider examining resource usage, running diagnostics, or performing a clean boot to isolate problems.