Is Windows 11 running slow after installation? Detailed solutions and expert advice to optimize your PC's performance.

Are you noticing that your Your computer is slower since you installed Windows 11.If the answer is yes, you're not alone. Many users have found themselves in the same situation, wondering if they did the right update and searching for solutions everywhere. Fortunately, with the right tools and a little patience, your PC can recover—and even improve—its performance.

In this article we offer you the most complete and detailed guide, with proven solutions, explanations of each cause, Tricks to optimize resources and tips for both new and older computers. You'll find answers here, whether your problem is recent or you've been putting up with slowness for months. Get ready to take your computer to the next level and enjoy Windows 11 the way it should work: fast, responsive, and headache-free.

Why is your PC running slow after installing Windows 11?

The jump to Windows 11 has meant for many teams a challenge at the hardware and resource level. Although Microsoft has published some minimum requirements For installation, real-life experience shows that simply following these guidelines isn't always enough. In addition, there are other factors that directly influence system performance, both on new computers and those that have been upgraded from previous versions.

The most frequent causes are:

• Limited or fair hardwareIf your computer only meets the official minimum requirements (e.g., 4GB of RAM and entry-level processors), you're likely to notice significant slowdowns.
• Slow or low hard drive space: Traditional HDDs or drives with almost full space greatly influence the speed of the operating system.
• Drivers (drivers) outdated: Especially those of the graphics card or key components, can cause Windows to not run optimally.
• Startup programs that consume resources: Many applications load automatically when Windows starts and consume memory and CPU.
• Temporary files and accumulated garbage: The system and apps generate files that, if not cleaned, take up space and slow everything down.
• Recent problematic updates: Some updates, especially in early versions of Windows 11, have caused crashes and performance drops.
• Malware or invasive software: Unwanted presences that sneak into your computer, seriously affecting its speed.
• Too many visual effects and animations: Windows 11 brings more graphical flourishes that require more resources, especially on modest PCs.
• Synchronization of cloud services (OneDrive, etc.): Although useful, they can constantly consume network, disk and CPU usage.

As you see, there is no single factorIn many cases, slowness is due to a combination of several of these, so a comprehensive solution is the best strategy.

Does your PC meet the requirements for Windows 11… or is it just short?

One of the most common mistakes is thinking that because your computer meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 it will work perfectly. The reality is very different. The minimums are, in many cases, only a reference for the system Boot, but they do not guarantee a good user experience.

For example, Microsoft requires at least a 1 GHz processor with two cores, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. However, in practice, Windows 11 runs smoothly with only 8GB of RAM and preferably a hard drive. SSD instead of a traditional HDD. If you have less, you'll notice it on a daily basis: slow startups, freezes, long wait times, etc.

Some reference settings to help you know if your team is really ready:

• Basic level (fair): Processor Intel Celeron N4000 (2 cores) + 4GB RAM + eMMC or HDD. It meets the minimum requirements, but the experience will be slow and frustrating, especially with multiple apps open.
• Recommended level: AMD Ryzen 3 3100 processor or similar (4 cores, 8 threads) + 8 GB RAM + SSD. Windows 11 runs much better here, and the system responds quickly.
• Optimal level: Intel Core i5-10400F (6 cores, 12 threads) + 16 GB RAM + SSD. Everything should run smoothly. If you notice slowdowns, there's an additional issue and it's worth investigating.

In general, if your computer is close to its original configuration, upgrading the RAM and installing an SSD are the best steps you can take to improve performance. If your hardware is decent, the problem is most likely in the software or configuration.

Practical solutions and tips to speed up a slow Windows 11

Next, we offer you the most effective solutionsSome are very simple and can be tried in less than a minute, while others require more time or a hardware investment. Follow the steps in order from least to most complex and watch your PC's speed improve.

1. Check and update your equipment

Keep Windows 11 and your programs up to date It's essential. Updates fix bugs, improve security, and, in many cases, optimize performance, especially if you're using non-original or outdated drivers.

• Update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates. Install them all and wait a few weeks after each major update to avoid any last-minute errors.
• Graphics and chipset drivers: Download from the official website of your graphics card (AMD, NVIDIA, Intel) the latest driver for Windows 11. Do the same for the motherboard and other critical components.
• Update your programs: Many apps release optimizations for Windows 11. Update them from their own section or from the Microsoft Store.

2. Control startup applications that slow down startup

The more programs that start automatically, the slower the boot process will be. Disable unnecessary ones It is one of the fastest ways to speed up your computer.

• From Settings: Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup. Disable the ones you don't need.
• From the Task Manager: Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open the Home tab, and disable non-essential apps. Prioritize the most impactful ones.

3. Remove unnecessary programs

Each program takes up space and may have background processes. Uninstall what you don't use from Settings > Apps > Installed Apps or “Add or Remove Programs”.

Above all, remove:

• Tools you haven't used in a while
• Duplicate software versions
• Programs pre-installed by the manufacturer
• Applications that consume a lot of resources in the background

4. Free up disk space

A nearly full hard drive slows down your system a lot. Clean temporary files, empty the trash and delete old files to improve performance.

• Storage sensor: Settings > System > Storage. Turn it on to periodically delete junk files.
• space cleanup: Search for “Disk Cleanup” and run the tool to clean up temporary files, thumbnails, and other junk.

Remember to keep at least 10% of the disk free for optimal performance.

5. Replace the hard drive with an SSD (or migrate the system)

El greatest change in speed It is noticeable when moving from HDD to SSD. If you are dragging Windows from an HDD, consider migrating your system to an SSD using tools like repair hard drive in Windows or similar. The difference in boot times, program loading, and transfer times will be noticeable.

• Make a backup before migrating.

6. Delete temporary files and accumulated junk

Temporary files accumulate and slow down your system. To delete them:

• Click Windows + R, type “%temp%” and delete the files. If any files can’t be deleted, skip them.
• Use programs like CCleaner to clean up browser clutter, logs, and caches.

7. Optimize the storage unit

HDD fragmentation or file accumulation can affect speed. Run “Optimize” on the drive's properties to improve its performance, especially on HDDs. On SSDs, it only performs optimization without defragmentation.

• Right-click the drive > Properties > Tools > Optimize.

8. Check RAM usage and close background apps

If you only have 4 or 6 GB of RAM, Windows 11 may run slowly. Close background apps and expand the memory to at least 8 GB if possible.

• From Task Manager, see which ones are consuming the most RAM and close them if they are not essential.
• From Settings > System > Background Apps, disable the ones you don't need.

9. Disable visual effects and animations for more speed

Effects in Windows 11 are resource-intensive. Reduce or disable transparency and animations to improve fluidity. You can use “Adjust for best performance” from Performance Options.

• Right-click on the desktop and select “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.”

10. Change the power plan to prioritize performance

En portable, select the plan High performance in the power settings to get the most out of the hardware.

• Find “Edit power plan” and select “High performance.”

11. Keep malware and security threats at bay

A full scan with Microsoft Defender or your antivirus helps remove viruses or invasive programs that can slow down your system. Review and remove detected threats.

• In Windows Security, run a full scan periodically.

12. Remove redundant antivirus and security programs

Using multiple antivirus programs can cause conflicts and slowdowns. Leave only one active, preferably Microsoft Defender. Uninstall the rest.

Microsoft Defender comes built into Windows 11 and is sufficient for most.

13. Activate Game Mode if you use the PC for gaming

El Game Mode Prioritizes resources and blocks annoying notifications during gaming sessions. Useful for maximizing performance in video games.

• From Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, turn it on.

14. Turn off notifications to avoid interruptions and extra consumption

Reducing notifications frees up resources and improves fluidity. From Settings > System > Notifications, turn off non-essential notifications.

15. Limit search indexing

Indexing helps with fast searches, but on slower PCs it can consume resources. Set it up in Privacy & Security > Windows Search or turn it off in Advanced Options.

16. Pause or disable OneDrive syncing

If you don't need to sync files constantly, You can pause or disable OneDrive To reduce power consumption, select “Pause Sync” from the icon in the taskbar.

17. Look for lightweight alternatives to heavy programs

Applications like Google Chrome They consume a lot of resources. Opt for lighter alternatives like Opera or Firefox, especially on computers with low RAM.

18. Perform a clean reinstallation of Windows 11 if nothing works

If after all this the team is still slow, one option is reset windows 11 from Settings > Recovery. Back up your data first, as files and programs will be erased.

After reinstalling, install only what is essential and test its performance before adding more software.

What to do if your problem persists?

When the slowness is not resolved with these steps, it would be advisable to:

• Check for possible physical problems with the hardware (faulty RAM, damaged disk, high temperatures).
• Seek professional help for a more in-depth review.
• Consider temporarily downgrading to Windows 10 if there is no driver support for your exact hardware.