How to Fix Windows 11 Slow Performance Issues

Windows 11 running slowly? Our Inverness PC technicians share proven fixes to speed up your Windows 11 computer and improve performance

Speed Up Windows 11: Complete Performance Guide

Windows 11 running like treacle? You're not alone. At Ness PC in Inverness, slow performance is one of the most common complaints we hear. Here's how to fix it.

Quick Wins: Immediate Performance Boosts

1. Disable Startup Programs

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the Startup apps tab
3. Right-click unnecessary programs
4. Select Disable
5. Restart your PC

2. Adjust Visual Effects

1. Search for Performance in Start menu
2. Select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows
3. Choose Adjust for best performance
4. Or customize individual effects
5. Click Apply

3. Update Windows and Drivers

• Go to Settings > Windows Update
• Click Check for updates
• Install all available updates
• Restart when prompted

Deep Cleaning: Advanced Performance Fixes

Clean Up Disk Space

1. Open Settings > System > Storage
2. Click Temporary files
3. Select items to delete (Downloads, Recycle Bin, etc.)
4. Click Remove files

Disable Background Apps

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
2. Click three dots next to apps you don't need running
3. Select Advanced options
4. Set Background apps permissions to Never

Check for Malware

1. Open Windows Security
2. Click Virus & threat protection
3. Select Quick scan or Full scan
4. Remove any detected threats

Hardware-Based Solutions

Check RAM Usage

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and check the Performance tab. If RAM consistently runs above 80%, you need more memory.

Upgrade to SSD

Still using a traditional hard drive? Upgrading to an SSD is the single biggest performance boost you can make. We install SSDs daily at our Inverness shop.

Check Disk Health

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Type: wmic diskdrive get status
3. If it doesn't say "OK", your drive may be failing

Advanced Settings for Power Users

Adjust Power Plan

1. Search for Power Plan
2. Select High performance (if available)
3. Or customize your current plan

Disable Search Indexing (Temporary)

1. Search for Services
2. Find Windows Search
3. Right-click and select Stop
4. Note: This will slow down file searches

Check for Disk Errors

1. Open This PC
2. Right-click your C: drive
3. Select Properties > Tools
4. Click Check under Error checking

When to Seek Professional Help

If you've tried these steps and Windows 11 is still slow, the problem might be:

• Failing hardware (hard drive, RAM)
• Deep-rooted malware
• Software conflicts
• Insufficient system resources for your needs

Ness PC in Inverness offers comprehensive PC diagnostics. We'll identify the exact cause and recommend cost-effective solutions - whether that's a simple upgrade or a fresh Windows installation.

Book a free diagnostic today!