Here are some possible reasons why your Windows 11 computer is slow or unresponsive, and what you can do now.
First, know that a slow computer is a very common symptom. But it's also very broad and can mean anything from hardware failure to software errors or even something as unrelated as a slow internet connection.
There is no single reason behind every computer's slowness. However, there are several different causes that may appear individually as performance issues in Windows 11.
Any of the following could be the culprit:
- Too many programs are running
- One or more applications are taking up all the memory
- Your available storage space is too low
- The operating system or device driver contains unresolved errors
- There is a problem with your internet connection
- Your hardware can't keep up
These things can produce the following symptoms (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Program takes a long time to open (or doesn't open at all)
- Nothing happens within a few minutes after logging into Windows
- Menus or windows don’t feel as snappy as they should
- Mouse or keyboard operation delays
- The download stops or the page does not load completely
- Audio or video streaming is choppy
Since there are many potential causes of slow Windows, there are many angles to solving it. Complete these tips in the order listed so you can try easier solutions first:
Restart your computer to close background programs that may be taking up valuable resources.
The fastest way to do this in Windows 11 is from the Start menu: right-click it and go to Shut down or log off > Restart .
Restarting isn't something you should always do to fix computer problems (if it does, there's a bigger problem). However, restarting does solve many computer problems and can often quickly fix a slow computer.
Install Windows updates (if available). Errors can cause performance issues, and the only way to fix operating system-level errors is through Windows Update.
If your PC's problem is actually slow Windows Update itself, check out what to do when Windows Update gets stuck or frozen.
Delete junk files. Depending on how you use your computer and how often you clear such files, you might delete a lot of files .
Junk files are easy to ignore because they take up so much space on your computer. If you have a lot of them, they may take up too much storage space, causing your hard drive to be low on free space.
Or, depending on where the files are located, they may hinder the ability of one or more applications to work properly, thus manifesting as a sluggish computer. This often happens with web browser caches.
Removing the largest applications on your computer can free up a lot of space. But keep in mind that unless your hard drive is full (90% or more), removing programs just to free up space may not have much of an impact on performance.
Close services or applications you don't need to use right now. The best way to do this is to use Task Manager. For all the details, see our article on how to force quit a program in Windows 11.
This may sound like a no-brainer—you probably already close apps you're not using. However, just clicking the X doesn't always do the trick. Some things slow down Windows because they are still running in the background.
Disable unnecessary startup applications. These programs start automatically with Windows. For most programs, you don't need this to happen, as you can open them manually when you need to use them.
If you have a lot of programs trying to start at the same time, you'll experience slowness every time your computer starts. Also, if you don't close them later, they will continue to take up memory and other important resources.
Disable unnecessary visual effects that may impact performance.
Windows 11 displays animations when opening and closing windows, but you can turn them off if they impact performance. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects and disable Animation Effects .
We also recommend changing the Performance Options visual effects setting to "Adjust for best performance" (or, alternatively, selecting the effects to disable from this screen). You can find this option by executing the following command from Run ( WIN+R ) or Windows Search:
SystemPropertiesPerformanceFix Windows 11 search not working issue if what you mean by "your computer is slow" actually just means that search is slow. This article explains what you can try.
Use the Driver Updater tool to fix outdated or corrupted drivers. A driver on your computer may be using too much CPU or RAM due to a bug.
Check your computer for malware. This is similar to the previous step of closing an unused program, but instead of a legitimate application using system resources, it's a malicious program that you really don't want!
For example, a worm or virus may be present on your computer, transmitting information over the Internet, or replicating itself through the file system.
Restart the router. Specifically, this isn't a fix for Windows 11, but if your router is the cause of your slow internet connection, Windows may feel slow. For example, loading a web page or sending an email might take longer than you think.
Likewise, your distance from the router may be the cause of a weak Wi-Fi connection or other poor Internet-related performance. For example, slow or choppy video or audio streaming might have less to do with Windows 11 and more to do with your internet connection.
Refresh or reinstall Windows 11. This will reinstall Windows 11 so it looks and feels like it did when you first installed it. If Windows is running slow due to operating system or other software issues, this will certainly solve the problem.
Downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10. If applicable to your computer, you may be able to uninstall Windows 11, which may fix slowness issues caused by running an incompatible version of Windows on hardware.
If the option to go back to Windows 10 is grayed out when you check it in Settings, you can always manually install a different version of Windows.
Upgrade your hardware. If Windows 11 is still slow even after fixing all the above software fixes ( especially the first two steps), then the hardware is the culprit.
You'll know this is happening if Windows is slow no matter which version you install, and performance doesn't improve even after a new installation and fresh drivers.
Windows updates can run slowly because the updates themselves are large. Speeds can also be slow due to a slow internet connection, multiple users trying to update windows, incorrect hard drive fragmentation or old application data, third-party software conflicts, or problems in the Windows Updater.
Windows File Explorer may be running slowly because you are running too many programs, using the Quick Access feature, or your folders contain too many files and subfolders. Try restarting File Explorer, disabling Quick Access, closing programs, and optimizing the problem folder.
To fix a slow internet connection, stop running background programs that are hogging bandwidth, check for wireless signal interference, and make sure your router and modem are working optimally. Additionally, scan for viruses and malware that can slow down your internet.
