# How to speed up a slow laptop: 14 fixes that actually work

> Restart, update, stop startup apps, free up disk space, remove bloatware, check for malware and add RAM or an SSD. Free Windows and Mac fixes first, upgrades last.

- URL: https://2search.in/knowledge/articles/oct-26/how-to-speed-up-slow-laptop
- Genre: Technology
- Country: Everywhere
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Publisher: 2search (https://2search.in)

> **Quick answer:** Start with the free fixes: **restart**, install **updates**, turn off **startup apps** (Task Manager → Startup apps), **free up disk space** (keep 15–20% free), **uninstall apps you don't use**, close extra **browser tabs and extensions**, use the **Balanced or Best performance** power mode, and **scan for malware**. If it's still slow, the biggest upgrades are a **hard disk → SSD swap** and **more RAM** (16 GB). On a very old laptop, a clean reinstall or a new machine may be the real fix.

> **Key takeaways**
> - **Restarting** fixes more slowness than any "PC cleaner" app.
> - **Startup apps** are the most common cause of slow boot times.
> - A full disk slows everything — keep at least **15–20% free**.
> - **SSD upgrade** is the single biggest speed boost for laptops still on a hard drive.
> - Avoid "registry cleaner" and "RAM booster" apps — they rarely help and some are malware.

A slow laptop is frustrating, but the cause is usually simple: too much running at once, too little space, or old hardware. Work through these fixes in order — the first ones take minutes and cost nothing.



![How to speed up a slow laptop: 14 fixes that actually work Breakdown & Visual Guide](/images/articles/how-to-speed-up-slow-laptop/diagram.svg)

## First, find out what's slowing it down

**Windows:** press **Ctrl + Shift + Esc** to open **Task Manager** → **Processes**. Sort by **CPU**, **Memory** and **Disk**.

**Mac:** open **Activity Monitor** (Applications → Utilities) and check the **CPU**, **Memory** and **Disk** tabs.

| What you see | Likely cause | Go to fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Disk at 100%** for minutes | Hard drive (HDD), updates, or indexing | #3, #4, #13 |
| **Memory 85%+** most of the time | Too many apps/tabs, or only 4–8 GB RAM | #6, #7, #12 |
| **CPU high** with nothing open | Background apps, malware, or updates | #2, #5, #9 |
| Slow only when **unplugged** | Power saving mode | #8 |
| Slow and **hot, fans loud** | Dust, blocked vents, or thermal throttling | #10 |

## Free fixes (do these first)

### 1. Restart properly

A restart clears memory and finishes pending updates. On Windows, **Shut down** with Fast Startup on doesn't fully clear everything — use **Restart** instead. Restart at least once a week.

### 2. Install updates

- **Windows:** Settings → **Windows Update** → Check for updates. Also check **Optional updates** for drivers.
- **Mac:** System Settings → General → **Software Update**.
- Update your **browser** and key apps too.

Still on Windows 10? See [Windows 10 end of support](/windows-10-end-of-support).

### 3. Turn off startup apps

- **Windows 11:** Settings → Apps → **Startup**, or Task Manager → **Startup apps**. Turn off anything you don't need the moment you log in — chat apps, game launchers, updaters, cloud apps you rarely use.
- **Mac:** System Settings → General → **Login Items & Extensions**.

> **Tip:** Keep your **antivirus**, **touchpad/audio drivers** and **cloud sync** (if you rely on it) — turn off the rest. Look at the "Startup impact" column and start with "High".

### 4. Free up disk space

Keep at least **15–20%** of your drive free.

- **Windows:** Settings → System → **Storage** → turn on **Storage Sense**, then open **Temporary files** and **Cleanup recommendations**.
- Empty the **Recycle Bin** and **Downloads** folder.
- Move photos and videos to an external drive or cloud.
- **Mac:** System Settings → General → **Storage** → review recommendations.

### 5. Uninstall apps you don't use

Many laptops come with **bloatware** — trial antivirus, games, manufacturer tools.

- **Windows:** Settings → Apps → **Installed apps** → sort by size or date.
- **Mac:** drag unused apps from Applications to the Bin.

Running **two antivirus** programs at once is a common cause of slowness. Keep one — Windows' built-in **Microsoft Defender** is enough for most people.

### 6. Tame your browser

The browser is usually the biggest memory user.

- **Close tabs** you don't need, or use tab groups and bookmarks.
- Turn on **Memory Saver** (Chrome) or **Sleeping tabs** (Edge).
- **Remove extensions** you don't use — each one uses memory and some slow every page.
- Clear the cache only if a site misbehaves; it doesn't usually speed things up.

### 7. Close background apps

Check the **system tray** (bottom-right on Windows) and **menu bar** (Mac) for apps running quietly — sync tools, launchers, RGB lighting software, chat apps. Quit or set them not to start automatically.

### 8. Use the right power mode

- **Windows 11:** Settings → System → Power & battery → **Power mode** → **Balanced** or **Best performance** while plugged in.
- **Mac:** System Settings → Battery → turn off **Low Power Mode** when you need speed.

### 9. Scan for malware

- **Windows:** Windows Security → **Virus & threat protection** → **Quick scan**, then **Scan options → Microsoft Defender Offline scan** if you suspect something.
- Look for unknown programs in Installed apps and unknown browser extensions.

### 10. Clean vents and keep it cool

Dust and blocked vents cause **thermal throttling** — the CPU slows down to avoid overheating.

- Use the laptop on a **hard, flat surface**, not a bed or pillow.
- Blow out vents gently with **compressed air** (laptop off).
- A cheap **cooling stand** helps in hot rooms.

### 11. Turn off visual effects (older laptops)

- **Windows:** search "**Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows**" → choose **Adjust for best performance**, then re-enable "Smooth edges of screen fonts".
- Turn off **transparency effects** in Settings → Personalization → Colors.

## Upgrades that make a big difference

### 12. Add more RAM

If memory is often above 85%:

| Current RAM | Upgrade to | Typical difference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 4 GB | 8–16 GB | Night and day |
| 8 GB | **16 GB** | Smooth multitasking |
| 16 GB | 32 GB | Only for heavy work |

Check first: many thin laptops have **soldered RAM** that can't be upgraded. Tools like **Crucial System Scanner** or your laptop's manual tell you what fits.

### 13. Replace a hard disk with an SSD

If your laptop still has a **spinning hard drive (HDD)**, an SSD is the biggest single upgrade — boot times drop from minutes to seconds.

- Check in Task Manager → **Performance → Disk** — it says "SSD" or "HDD".
- A **SATA SSD** fits most older laptops; newer ones take **M.2 NVMe** drives.
- **Clone** your old drive with free tools from the SSD maker, or do a clean install.

### 14. Reset or reinstall the operating system

If years of apps and settings have piled up:

- **Windows:** Settings → System → Recovery → **Reset this PC** → "Keep my files" (back up anyway).
- **Mac:** use **Erase All Content and Settings** (on supported Macs) after backing up with Time Machine.

## When to replace instead

Consider a new laptop if it's **6–8+ years old**, has **soldered 4–8 GB RAM**, **can't run Windows 11**, or the battery and screen are failing too. Our [laptop buying guide](/how-to-choose-a-laptop) explains which specs to get.

## Things that don't help (or make it worse)

- **"PC cleaner", "registry cleaner" and "RAM booster" apps** — little benefit; some show fake warnings or install adware.
- **Defragmenting an SSD** — not needed (Windows optimises SSDs automatically).
- **Disabling Windows Defender** to "save resources" — risky and gains little.
- **Turning off Windows Update** — you lose security fixes and performance improvements.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is my laptop so slow suddenly?

Common causes are a large update running in the background, a new startup app, a full disk, too many browser tabs, or malware. Check Task Manager first.

### Does more RAM make a laptop faster?

Yes, if your laptop regularly uses most of its RAM. If memory use is low, more RAM won't help.

### Is an SSD upgrade worth it?

If your laptop has a hard disk, absolutely — it's the biggest speed improvement you can buy.

### How much free space should my laptop have?

At least 15–20% of the drive.

### Will a factory reset speed up my laptop?

Often, yes, because it removes years of apps, files and settings. Back up first.

### Do I need a PC cleaner app?

No. Windows and macOS have built-in tools for storage and startup apps.

### Why is my laptop slow on battery?

Power-saving modes reduce performance. Switch to Balanced or Best performance when you need speed.

## Sources

- [Microsoft Support — Tips to improve PC performance in Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/performance-optimization/tips-to-improve-pc-performance-in-windows)
- [Microsoft Support — Free up drive space in Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-85529ccb-c365-490d-b548-831022bc9b32)
- [Crucial — System Scanner (check RAM and SSD compatibility)](https://www.crucial.com/store/systemscanner)