How to Speed Up a Slow Windows Laptop: 9 Fixes That Work

By Sarah Mitchell · 2026-10-10 · 6 min read · Technology — Windows Tutorials

Older laptop on a desk being cleaned with a small brush, compressed air can nearby under a desk lamp

Cut the startup list

Open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and disable anything you do not need the moment you log in. Chat apps, game launchers and updaters are the usual culprits.

Right-click the taskbar → Task Manager → Startup
Disable high-impact items you recognise
Restart and feel the difference at login

Free up disk space

Windows slows down sharply when the system drive is nearly full. Use Settings → System → Storage to clear temporary files and uninstall apps you no longer use.

Aim to keep at least 15% of the drive free
Empty the Downloads folder — it grows silently
Move large videos to an external drive or cloud storage

Check for malware and heavy background apps

Run a full Windows Security scan. Then check Task Manager's Processes tab while the laptop feels slow — one runaway app is often the whole story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will adding RAM help?

If your laptop has 4 GB and allows upgrades, moving to 8 GB or more is the single biggest hardware improvement for everyday use.

Should I use a registry cleaner?

No. They rarely help and can break things. Stick to the built-in tools in this guide.