Why is My New Laptop So Slow Windows 11: 7 Ways to Instantly Boost Performance

Your new laptop may be slow on Windows 11 for several reasons, such as insufficient memory or excessive startup programs. Introducing a new laptop can be an exciting experience, but encountering slowness issues can be disappointing.

If you’re facing sluggish performance on your new Windows 11 laptop, there are a few factors to consider.

Insufficient memory, excessive startup programs, or outdated drivers can contribute to a slow laptop. Additionally, certain settings or software conflicts may also impact its speed.

We’ll explore some common reasons why your new laptop may be running slow on Windows 11 and provide effective solutions to help you regain optimal performance.

So, let’s dive in and get your laptop up to speed!

Common Causes Of Slow Performance

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed that your new laptop is running much slower than expected, there could be a few common causes behind this sluggish performance.

In this section, we will explore these causes in detail to help you identify and address the issues affecting your laptop’s speed.

1. Overloaded Startup Programs

One of the main culprits behind slow performance on Windows 11 laptops is the presence of overloaded startup programs.

These are the applications that automatically launch when you start your laptop. While having certain apps open up right away is convenient, having too many of them can overload your system’s resources and slow down the overall performance.

To check and manage your startup programs, follow these steps:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Click on the “Startup” tab at the top.
3. You will see a list of all the programs enabled to start with your laptop. Disable any unnecessary programs by right-clicking on them and selecting “Disable”.

2. Insufficient Ram

Another common cause of slow performance is insufficient Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is responsible for temporarily storing data your laptop needs to efficiently carry out its tasks.

If you have too many resource-intensive applications running simultaneously or your laptop has low RAM capacity, it can lead to a noticeable drop in performance.

You can check your laptop’s RAM capacity by following these steps:

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar.
2. Type “Task Manager” and click on the corresponding search result.
3. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Performance” tab at the top.
4. Under the “Memory” section, you will see the total amount of RAM installed on your laptop.

If your laptop has insufficient RAM, consider upgrading it for better performance.

Adding more RAM can significantly improve your laptop’s multitasking capabilities and overall speed.

3. Outdated Or Incompatible Drivers

Having outdated or incompatible drivers can also lead to slow performance on Windows 11 laptops. Drivers are essential software components that allow your laptop’s hardware to communicate effectively with the operating system.

If your drivers are outdated or incompatible with Windows 11, it can result in various performance issues.

To update your drivers, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar.
2. Type “Device Manager” and click on the corresponding search result.
3. Expand the categories in the Device Manager window and locate the device you want to update the driver.
4. Right-click on the device and select “Update driver”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.

4. Excessive Background Processes

Windows 11 often runs various background processes that can consume a significant amount of your laptop’s resources.

These processes can slow down your laptop’s performance, especially if they are excessive or problematic.

To manage background processes, you can use the Task Manager by following these steps:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab at the top.
3. You will see a list of all the processes currently running on your laptop. Look for any processes using a high amount of CPU or memory.
4. To end a process, right-click on it and select “End Task”. Please exercise caution when ending processes and ensure they are not essential for the functioning of your laptop.
5. Clean Up And Optimize Windows 11

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed your new laptop is running slower than expected, don’t panic. You can take several steps to clean up and optimize your operating system, which will help improve its performance.

This section will explore some essential strategies to get your laptop running smoothly again.

5. Remove Unnecessary Files And Programs

Over time, your laptop accumulates unnecessary files and programs that can take up valuable space and slow down its operation.

To remove these unwanted items, follow these steps:

1. Perform a Disk Cleanup:
2. Windows 11 offers a built-in Disk Cleanup utility to free up disk space. By running this tool, you can identify and delete unnecessary files, such as temporary files, system files, and cached data.
3. Uninstall Unneeded Programs:
4. Go through your list of installed programs and uninstall any that you no longer use or need. To do this, follow these simple steps:

• Go to the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (gear icon).
• Select “Apps” and then “Apps & features” in the Settings window.
• Scroll through the list of installed programs and click on the one you want to uninstall.
• Click on the “Uninstall” button and follow the prompts to remove the program.

5. Delete Large or Unnecessary Files:
6. Identify and delete any large files that are taking up significant storage space. These files could be old videos, presentations, or large applications that are no longer relevant to you.

6. Disable Visual Effects

Windows 11 comes with visually appealing animations and graphic effects. Still, these can consume valuable system resources and slow down your laptop.

To disable these visual effects:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (gear icon).
2. Select “System” from the Settings window and then click on “Display”.
3. Scroll down to the “Visual effects” section in the Display settings.
4. Click on “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows”.
5. Choose the “Adjust for best performance” option to disable all unnecessary visual effects.

7. Optimize Power Settings

Adjusting your laptop’s power settings can significantly impact its performance. By optimizing the power settings, you can strike a balance between energy efficiency and performance.

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (gear icon).
2. Select “System” from the Settings window and click on “Power & sleep”.
3. In the Power & sleep settings, choose the power plan that suits your needs. If you want to prioritize performance, select the “High performance” option.
4. Additionally, navigate to the “Additional power settings” link to access advanced power options. Here, you can further customize power settings for individual components like the processor and display.

Upgrade Hardware For Better Performance

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and find that your new laptop is running slower than expected, consider upgrading your hardware.

Windows 11 has many new features and improvements but also requires more resources to run smoothly.

By upgrading your laptop’s hardware, you can enhance its performance and enjoy a faster and more efficient computing experience.

1. Increase Ram Capacity

One of the most effective ways to improve the performance of your laptop is to increase its RAM capacity.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is responsible for storing data and information that your computer needs to access quickly.

With a higher RAM capacity, your laptop can handle more tasks simultaneously, reducing lag and improving overall performance.

Consider checking your laptop’s specifications and identifying the maximum RAM capacity it supports.

If you’re currently using the base amount of RAM, upgrading to a higher capacity can make a significant difference in speed and responsiveness.

2. Upgrade To An SSD

Another hardware upgrade that can significantly improve the performance of your laptop is replacing your traditional hard drive with a Solid-State Drive (SSD).

Unlike conventional hard drives, SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them faster and more reliable.

They can read and write data much quicker, resulting in faster boot times, quicker application launches, and improved overall system performance.

Make sure to check if your laptop supports SSD upgrades and consider the storage capacity you need.

Upgrading to an SSD will speed up your laptop’s performance and provide ample storage space to store your files and applications.

3. Replace Outdated Hardware Components

Suppose your laptop is still experiencing slow performance even after upgrading the RAM and opting for an SSD.

In that case, it might be time to replace outdated hardware components. Over time, components such as the processor or graphics card can become outdated and struggle to keep up with the demands of newer operating systems like Windows 11.

Consider researching the compatible hardware upgrades for your laptop model. By replacing outdated components, you can ensure that your laptop meets the system requirements of Windows 11 and can handle tasks and applications more efficiently.

In conclusion, upgrading your hardware can be the perfect solution if you’re wondering why your new laptop is running slow on Windows 11.

Increasing the RAM capacity, upgrading to an SSD, and replacing outdated hardware components can greatly enhance your laptop’s performance, allowing you to enjoy a faster and smoother computing experience.

4. Update and Optimize Device Drivers

One common reason for a slow laptop running on Windows 11 is outdated or incompatible device drivers.

Device drivers are software programs that allow communication between your laptop’s hardware components and the operating system.

When these drivers are not up to date, it can lead to performance issues and sluggishness in your laptop’s overall performance.

To ensure that your laptop is running smoothly, it is crucial to regularly update and optimize your device drivers. Here are a few specific drivers that you should focus on:

5. Update Graphics Drivers

Your laptop’s graphics drivers play a significant role in the performance of graphically intensive tasks, such as gaming or video editing.

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to slow rendering, screen flickering, or even crashes.

To update your graphics drivers on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Device Manager” without the quotes.
2. Click on the Device Manager from the search results to open it.
3. Expand the “Display adapters” category.
4. Right-click on the graphics card listed and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
5. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
6. If Windows finds an updated driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

6. Upgrade Network Drivers

Slow internet speeds can significantly impact your laptop’s overall performance, especially if you rely on web browsing, streaming, or online gaming.

Upgrading your network drivers can help improve network stability and increase your internet connection speed.

To upgrade your network drivers on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Device Manager” without the quotes.
2. Click on the Device Manager from the search results to open it.
3. Expand the “Network adapters” category.
4. Right-click on the network adapter listed and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
5. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
6. If Windows finds an updated driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

7. Install the Latest Chipset Drivers

Chipset drivers facilitate communication between your laptop’s central processing unit, memory, and other internal components.

By installing the latest chipset drivers, you can ensure optimal performance and compatibility with Windows 11.

To install the latest chipset drivers on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser and visit the official website of your laptop’s manufacturer.
2. Navigate to the support or downloads section of the website.
3. Search for your laptop model’s latest chipset drivers compatible with Windows 11.
4. Download the chipset driver installation file.
5. Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installer.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Ensuring that your laptop’s device drivers are up to date improves its speed and performance and enhances its overall stability.

By following the steps mentioned above for updating and optimizing graphics, network, and chipset drivers, you can give your new laptop running on Windows 11 the boost it needs to perform at its best.

Optimize Windows 11 Settings

Suppose you recently purchased a new laptop and noticed it is running slower than expected on the Windows 11 operating system.

In that case, there are several settings you can tweak to improve its performance.

By optimizing these settings, you can ensure that your laptop runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to enjoy a seamless experience.

In this section, we will explore three key areas where you can make adjustments for optimal performance: adjusting the Windows power plan, disabling unnecessary startup processes, and optimizing virtual memory settings.

1. Adjust Windows Power Plan

One of the first steps to optimize your new laptop’s performance is to adjust the Windows power plan.

By default, Windows 11 may be set to a power-saving mode, which limits the laptop’s performance to conserve battery life.

However, if you are using your laptop while plugged in, it is beneficial to switch to a high-performance power plan to unlock its full potential.

To adjust the power plan, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and search “Power & sleep settings”.
2. Open the power settings and select “Additional power settings”.
3. Choose the high-performance power plan from the list of available options.

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Processes

When you boot up your laptop, Windows 11 may automatically start various programs and processes in the background.

These startup processes can significantly impact your laptop’s speed and performance.

By disabling unnecessary startup processes, you can free up system resources and improve the overall responsiveness of your laptop.

To disable unnecessary startup processes, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Click on the “Startup” tab.
3. Identify the programs that you do not need to run at startup.
4. Right-click on the program and select “Disable”.

3. Optimize Virtual Memory Settings

Virtual memory is a space on your hard drive that your laptop uses to temporarily store data when it runs out of physical memory (RAM).

Optimizing virtual memory settings can help improve your laptop’s performance, especially when running memory-intensive applications or multitasking.

To optimize virtual memory settings, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and search for “Performance Options”.
2. Open the Performance Options and go to the “Advanced” tab.
3. Click on the “Change” button under the “Virtual memory” section.
4. Uncheck the option “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
5. Select the drive where Windows is installed and choose “Custom size”.
6. Set the initial size and maximum size based on your system’s recommended values.

By making these adjustments to your Windows 11 settings, you can optimize your new laptop’s performance and ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently.

Remember to regularly maintain and update your laptop to keep it running at its best.

Perform Regular Maintenance Tasks

Regular maintenance is essential to keep your Windows 11 laptop running smoothly and efficiently.

By performing simple yet crucial tasks, you can optimize its performance and address the issue of a slow laptop. Here are three maintenance tasks that you should perform regularly:

1. Run Disk Cleanup And Disk Defragment

Over time, your laptop’s hard drive accumulates temporary files, unused software, and other clutter that can impact its speed.

Running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragment can help clean up and reorganize your hard drive, leading to better performance.

To run Disk Cleanup on Windows 11:

1. Click on the Start button and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar.
2. Click on the Disk Cleanup app from the search results.
3. Select the drive you want to clean and click on “OK”.
4. Wait for Disk Cleanup to calculate the amount of space you can free up.
5. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete, such as temporary files and system error memory dump files.
6. Click on “OK” to start the cleanup process.

Defragmenting your hard drive helps consolidate fragmented files, making them easier and faster to access.

Here’s how to defragment your hard drive:

1. Click on the Start button and type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the search bar.
2. Click on the Defragment and Optimize Drives app from the search results.
3. Select the drive you want to defragment and click on “Optimize”.
4. Wait for the defragmentation process to complete.

2. Check For Windows Updates

Windows updates are essential for maintaining the security and performance of your laptop.

These updates often include bug fixes, stability improvements, and new features that can enhance your overall computing experience.

To check for Windows updates on Windows 11:

1. Click on the Start button and select “Settings”.
2. In the Settings app, click on “Windows Update”.
3. Click on “Check for updates” to see if there are any available updates for your laptop.
4. If updates are found, click on “Download and install” to install them.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

3. Scan For Malware And Viruses

Malware and viruses can significantly slow down your laptop and compromise your security.

Regularly scanning your laptop for malware and viruses ensures its smooth operation.

To scan for malware and viruses on Windows 11:

1. Click on the Start button and select “Windows Security”.
2. Click “Virus & threat protection” in the Windows Security app.
3. Click on “Quick scan” to quickly scan your laptop for malware and viruses.
4. If any threats are found, follow the recommended actions to remove them from your system.
5. Utilize Performance Optimization Tools

Is your new laptop running slower than expected after upgrading to Windows 11? Don’t worry; several performance optimization tools are available that can help enhance your laptop’s speed and efficiency.

By utilizing these tools, you can optimize your system’s resources and ensure smooth and seamless performance.

Read on to discover the top performance optimization tools that can help address the issue of a slow Windows 11 laptop.

4. Use Disk Cleanup And Disk Defragmentation Tools

When it comes to optimizing your laptop’s performance, two essential tools you should consider are Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmentation.

Disk Cleanup helps you remove unnecessary and temporary files from your system, freeing up valuable disk space.

This process improves system responsiveness and helps enhance overall speed and performance.

On the other hand, Disk Defragmentation rearranges fragmented files on your hard drive, allowing your laptop to access data more efficiently.

To use these tools:

1. Go to the Start menu and search for “Disk Cleanup” or “Disk Defragmentation.”
2. Select the appropriate tool from the search results and open it.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the process.
4. Once completed, you should notice a significant improvement in your laptop’s speed and responsiveness.

5. Consider Third-party Performance Optimization Software

If you want to take your laptop’s performance optimization to the next level, consider using third-party performance optimization software.

These software programs offer advanced features and functionalities that can help improve your laptop’s speed and overall performance.

Some popular third-party performance optimization software includes CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and IObit Uninstaller.

These tools provide comprehensive system scans, junk file removal, registry cleaning, and other performance-enhancing features.

Before installing any third-party software, ensure it is compatible with Windows 11 and recommended by reputable sources.

6. Monitor Performance With Task Manager And Resource Monitor

Monitoring your laptop’s performance is crucial to identify any underlying issues causing slowness.

Windows 11 provides two built-in tools, Task Manager and Resource Monitor, to help monitor your system’s performance.

Task Manager lets you view real-time CPU, memory, and disk usage.

At the same time, the Resource Monitor provides detailed information on currently running processes, disk activity, and network utilization.

To access these tools:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
2. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly.
3. Task Manager will open, displaying the performance overview. You can switch between different tabs to monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
4. For more detailed information, click on the “Resource Monitor” button at the bottom of the Task Manager window.
5. Resource Monitor will open, providing a comprehensive view of your laptop’s resource usage.

By utilizing these performance optimization tools, you can effectively diagnose and address the underlying reasons for your new laptop’s slow performance on Windows 11.

Implementing these tools will improve your laptop’s speed and enhance its overall user experience.

FAQs For Why Is My New Laptop So Slow Windows 11

Conclusion of Why Is My New Laptop So Slow Windows 11

To sum up, if you’re experiencing sluggishness with your new Windows 11 laptop, several factors could be causing the issue.

Ensuring your device meets the system requirements and is updated with the latest software is essential.

Additionally, optimizing your laptop’s performance by reducing startup programs and performing regular maintenance can significantly improve speed.

Remember, understanding the potential causes and implementing the necessary steps will help you enjoy a smoother and faster computing experience.

Read also: Why Is My Laptop So Slow When Connected To Wi-Fi