Clicking on Google Chrome and waiting 10 seconds for it to open? That is incredibly frustrating. There is nothing worse than a PC that freezes when you need it the most—whether you are submitting an assignment or joining a Zoom meeting.
Most people think the only solution is to “Format” (reset) the laptop or sell it for a cheap price. Stop! You don’t need to do that. Often, your laptop is powerful enough, but it’s choked by junk files and bad settings.
As a Computer Expert for GadgetGyani, I will show you 7 Simple Speed Hacks that will make your Windows 10 or 11 laptop feel brand new again—without losing a single file.
The Solutions: 7 Ways to Fix a Slow Laptop
1. Disable Startup Apps (The #1 Culprit)
When you turn on your laptop, does it take 5 minutes to become “usable”? That’s because apps like Spotify, Skype, and Steam are all trying to launch at the same time in the background.
- The Fix: Stop them from starting automatically.
- Steps: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager > Click the Startup Apps tab > Right-click on useless apps and select Disable. - Result: Your boot time will drop by 50%.
2. Use ‘Storage Sense’ to Auto-Clean Junk
Your PC collects temporary files, cache, and old downloads every day. Over time, this clogs the system. Windows has a built-in cleaner for this.
- The Fix: Turn on Storage Sense.
- Steps: Go to Settings > System > Storage. Toggle Storage Sense to On.
- Result: Windows will automatically delete unnecessary files when you are low on space.
3. Turn Off Visual Effects
Windows 11 looks beautiful with its transparent menus and smooth animations, but these eat up your CPU and RAM. If your laptop is old, trade beauty for speed.
- The Fix: Disable animations.
- Steps: Search for “View advanced system settings” in the Start menu > Click Settings under Performance > Select Adjust for best performance.
- Result: Windows might look a bit “flat,” but it will feel incredibly snappy.
4. Switch to High Performance Mode
By default, laptops are set to “Balanced” to save battery. This limits your processor’s speed.
- The Fix: Unleash full power.
- Steps: Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Select High Performance.
- Warning: This will drain your battery faster, so keep your charger handy. Concerned about battery? Check our guide on Battery Saving Tips which apply to laptops too.
5. Update Your Drivers
Sometimes the lag isn’t because of Windows, but because your Graphics Card or Chipset drivers are outdated and buggy.
- The Fix: Check for updates.
- Steps: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Also, check “Optional Updates” for driver fixes.
6. Scan for Malware
If your laptop is slow even when you are doing nothing, a virus might be mining crypto in the background.
- The Fix: Run a scan.
- Steps: Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick Scan.
7. The Hardware Upgrade (The Real Fix)
If you have tried everything above and your laptop is still slow, check your specs. Are you using an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)? In 2025, running Windows on an HDD is a crime. It is simply too slow for modern software.
- The Solution: You MUST upgrade to an SSD (Solid State Drive).
- The Difference: An HDD boots Windows in 90 seconds. An SSD does it in 10 seconds. It is the single biggest upgrade you can make.
- RAM: If you have 4GB RAM, upgrade to at least 8GB or 16GB.
Hardware Recommendations (Affiliate Section)
If you want 10x speed, replace your old Hard Disk with a SATA or NVMe SSD today. It’s cheaper than buying a new laptop!
- Best Budget SATA SSD (For old laptops): [Link: Crucial BX500 500GB – Check Price]
- Best NVMe SSD (For new laptops): [Link: WD Blue SN580 1TB – Check Price]
- Best RAM Stick (8GB): [Link: Crucial DDR4 3200MHz – Check Price]
Pro Tip: Is it the PC or the Net?
Sometimes your laptop is fine, but websites load slowly because of your internet connection. Check our guide on How to Boost Internet Speed to fix slow loading times.
Conclusion
Don’t sell your laptop just yet. Try these tips first. Usually, a simple SSD upgrade (costing around ₹2,000) can give your old machine another 3-4 years of life.
Open your Task Manager right now. What does it say under “Disk” usage? Is it 100% (HDD issue) or lower? Tell us in the comments!
