How to Speed Up Windows 10 and 11: 15 Proven Methods
Speed up Windows 10 and 11 with 15 proven methods: disable startup programs, clean temp files, optimize visual settings, and get faster boot without reinstalling.
A slow Windows PC is fixable without reinstalling. These 15 methods go from quick wins to deeper optimizations.
1. Disable Startup Programs
Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup → right-click anything with High impact → Disable.
Keep: antivirus, audio drivers. Disable: Spotify, Discord, Steam, launchers.
2. Clean Temp Files
Win + R → %temp% → Ctrl+A → Delete
Then: Disk Cleanup → drive C → Clean up system files → check all → OK.
3. Set High Performance Power Plan
powercfg /setactive 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c
4. Disable Visual Effects
Win + R → sysdm.cpl → Advanced → Performance Settings → Adjust for best performance → OK.
5. Scan for Malware
Start-MpScan -ScanType FullScan
6. Enable Fast Startup
Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → check Turn on fast startup.
7. Upgrade to SSD
Biggest single upgrade. Boot time drops from 60s to under 10s. After installing:
fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0 # Enable TRIM
8. Add More RAM
Task Manager → Performance → Memory. Over 80% in use regularly = you need more RAM.
9. Adjust Virtual Memory (Page File)
Win + R → sysdm.cpl → Advanced → Performance → Virtual Memory → uncheck automatic → set Initial and Maximum to 1.5× your RAM.
10. Disable SysMain on HDD Systems
Set-Service SysMain -StartupType Disabled
Stop-Service SysMain
On SSD — leave it enabled.
11. Update GPU Drivers
- NVIDIA: nvidia.com/drivers
- AMD: amd.com/drivers
Outdated drivers cause stuttering and crashes.
12. Defragment HDD (Not SSD)
Optimize-Volume -DriveLetter C -Defrag # HDD only
Never defragment an SSD.
13. Disable Search Indexing on HDD
Set-Service WSearch -StartupType Disabled
Stop-Service WSearch
14. Turn Off Transparency
Settings → Personalization → Colors → disable Transparency effects.
15. Reset Windows (Last Resort)
Settings → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything. Back up files first.
Summary
Start with: disable startup programs + clean temp files + High Performance power plan. Still slow? Upgrade to SSD — it's the single biggest improvement you can make.