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| How to Increase Laptop Speed in 2026: 15 Easy Ways to Make Your Laptop Faster |
A laptop that feels fast when you first get it can start to feel slow after a year or two. It takes a time to start up and things like opening apps and browsing the internet start to take forever. Before you think your laptop is getting old you should know that there are some reasons why it is slowing down and you can usually fix these problems without buying new parts for your laptop.
This guide will show you 15 ways to make your Windows laptop faster in 2026. We will start with software fixes and then cover hardware upgrades that can make a bigger difference.
1. Restart Your Laptop Instead of Just Closing the Lid
If you only close your laptop and put it to sleep, some apps and background processes may continue running. Restarting Windows can clear temporary system state and stop processes that may be causing performance problems.. When you restart your Windows laptop it clears out the memory. Stops everything that was running in the background. You should try to restart your laptop every days instead of just closing the lid and putting it to sleep. This can really help your Windows laptop run faster and feel like it is brand new again which is one of the ways to speed up your Windows laptop.
2. Update Windows and Your Drivers
Your laptop can be slow because the software is old. This is something that people often forget to check. Microsoft sends out updates that can make your laptop work better and run smoothly. They do this through Windows Update. The people who made your laptop also send out updates for the drivers. These drivers control things like your graphics card and Wi-Fi. You should go to Settings. Then Windows Update to see if there are any new updates. You should also check your laptop manufacturers website for drivers. This is especially important for your graphics card and chipset. If you do not update your drivers your laptop can be slow. The battery can run out of power quickly.
3. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Some apps on your laptop will start running soon as you turn it on. This can make your laptop take longer to start up and use memory. You might not even use some of these apps often. You should open Task Manager. Go to the Startup apps tab. Then you can turn off any apps that you do not need to run away. This might include things, like chat apps or cloud storage. You can always open these apps when you need them. This will help your laptop run quickly and use less memory.
4. Get Rid of Unwanted Apps and Bloatware
When you buy a laptop it usually comes with a lot of extra stuff like trial software and apps that you will never use. These things take up space on your computer. Sometimes even run in the background when you are not using them. You should go to Settings. Then click on Apps and then Installed apps. Sort them by size or by when you last used them. Then remove the ones you do not need. This is also a time to look for old apps that you installed a long time ago and forgot about.
5. Make Some Space on Your Computer
Your computer needs some space to work properly. It uses this space to store files and updates. If your computer is running very low on free space, it can affect performance and may also make it harder for Windows to install updates. This is especially true for laptops that do not have a lot of space to start with like the ones, with 128GB or 256GB drives. You can use Settings and then System. Then Storage to see what is taking up space on your computer. Then you can delete files that you do not need anymore. You can also move your photos and videos to a cloud or an external drive.. Do not forget to empty the Recycle Bin.
6. Turn On Storage Sense
Storage Sense is a feature that comes with Windows. It helps clean up files and empty the Recycle Bin after some time. It can also remove files from your Downloads folder if you want it to. You can find Storage Sense in the Settings. Just go to System and then Storage. Click on Storage Sense. This is a way to keep your computer drive clean. You do not have to remember to clean it up all the time.
7. Limit Background Apps
Some apps keep working when you close them. They do things like sync data. Look for updates. This uses up some of your computers power and memory. Sometimes it even uses up your battery. To stop this go to the Settings. Click on Apps. Then click on Installed apps. Next, to each app you will see three dots. Click on these dots. Choose Advanced options. This will let you control what the app can do in the background. If you turn this off for apps you do not need all the time you will free up some of your computers power. Storage Sense and limiting background apps can really help your computer run better.
8. Turn Off Unnecessary Visual Effects
Windows uses animations and visual effects such as transparency and shadows to make the interface look smoother. These effects use resources that older or lower‑powered laptops may not have enough to spare. Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" in the Start menu. Choose the option that says Adjust for performance or turn off the effects you do not mind such as the animations that play when you minimize windows. Doing so will make a difference, on laptops that have integrated graphics and limited RAM.
9. Run a Malware and Security Check
A slow laptop can sometimes be caused by malware or unwanted background processes rather than aging hardware.
Run a scan with Windows Security. Windows Security is built into Windows 11 and can be used to scan your laptop for malware and other security threats. Does not need to be bought separately.
If a scan finds nothing but the laptop still feels unusually slow compared to before the slow laptop is worth checking Task Manager. Check Task Manager, for processes that use a lot of CPU or disk.
10. Close Unused Browser Tabs and Extensions
Web browsers are one of the reasons modern laptops get slow especially when a lot of tabs are open at the same time. Every tab takes up memory and some browser extensions keep working in the background on pages that you don't need. Stop using tabs that you are not looking at now and check the extensions you have installed to get rid of any that you don't use anymore. Browsers such as Chrome and Edge have special efficiency modes that cut down on memory use, for tabs that're not active and these features are worth using if you haven't turned them on already.
11. Adjust Your Power Plan
Windows gives you a choice of power plans that help balance how fast your computer runs and how long the battery lasts. If your laptop is using a power-saving mode by default it could be slowing down your processor when its plugged in. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery. If your laptop offers the Best performance power mode, you can select it when you need maximum performance while plugged in. When you are running on battery, a more power-efficient mode can help extend battery life.
12. Manage Cloud Sync Services
Apps like OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox keep your files in sync while you work. The process can use a lot of CPU and disk activity especially when you add or change files. If you notice your laptop slows down during syncing you can take action.
Pause syncing by clicking the app’s icon in the system tray. You can also choose which folders to sync so the program does not have to process a number of files all the time.
By managing cloud sync services, such, as OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox you can reduce the load on your laptop.
13. Reset or Reinstall Windows if Nothing Else Helps
If your laptop is still slow after you try the steps you might need to reset it. This is especially true for laptops that have a lot of software and files, on them. Windows 11 has an option that you can use. You can find it under Settings, System, then Recovery then Reset this PC. If you choose Keep my files, Windows reinstalls the operating system while keeping your personal files, but it removes installed apps and resets settings. Make sure you back up your files first. This is because a full reset will remove all the programs you installed. Sometimes it is better to reset your Windows than to try to clean up all the software yourself. Reset or Reinstall Windows can be an option if nothing else helps to make your laptop faster.
14. Upgrade From a Hard Drive to an SSD
If your laptop still uses a hard disk drive (HDD) this is likely the single biggest slowdown you're dealing with regardless of how much RAM or processing power it has. An SSD (solid-state drive) can make boot times app launches and file transfers times faster because it has no moving parts and reads data far more quickly. Many laptops from the HDD era can be upgraded to an SSD by a technician or on laptops with bays by the user. This is one of the cost-effective upgrades available if your laptop supports it.
15. Add RAM if Your Laptop Supports It
If you often run apps or browser tabs at the same time and your laptop has 4GB or 8GB of RAM adding more memory can help cut down on slowdowns. This is especially true when you switch from one app to another. Some laptops do not let you upgrade RAM because the memory is glued to the motherboard. Look at the specifications of your laptop. Read the manufacturer’s guide before you think an upgrade will work. If you do not feel opening the laptop ask a technician for help.
Bonus: Keep Your Laptop Cool
Heat is a problem that people don't think about enough when it comes to performance. Modern processors lower their speed when they get too hot a thing called throttling, which helps protect the parts inside but makes everything seem slower. Dust inside the vents and fans is usually the reason, with laptops that are a few years old or when they are used on soft surfaces like beds and couches which stop the air from moving underneath. Use compressed air to clear out the vents every months and try to use your laptop on a hard flat surface when you can. If your laptops fan is very loud and always running even when you are doing tasks that is usually a sign it is having trouble with dust or an old cooling system.
Check Your Windows Search Indexing Settings
Windows Search uses indexing to help find files and other content more quickly. On PCs with many files, indexing can use additional system resources, especially while the index is being created or updated. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows. Look at which folders are being indexed. If you rarely search certain folders, you can review the Windows Search indexing settings and choose which locations should be indexed.
A Quick Note on Windows Updates in 2026
Microsoft continues to release Windows 11 updates throughout the year. These updates can include security fixes, reliability improvements and new features, depending on your Windows version and device.
You can use these tools to go to how your computer was working before. This is helpful if an update or an app is causing problems.
Keeping Windows updated helps ensure that your laptop receives the latest available security fixes and improvements for your supported Windows version
If your laptop is using a version of Windows 11 you should check for updates. Go to Settings and then Windows Update to see if there is a version.
Windows versions have specific support periods. For example, Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro are scheduled to reach the end of updates on October 13, 2026. If you are using an older Windows version, check Microsoft's support information to see whether you should upgrade.
Final Thoughts
Most laptops do not need to be replaced simply because they have become slow. In many situations, the actual causes are a crowded startup list, a drive that is almost full, outdated software or too many background programs using system resources. Try the software fixes listed above first. They don't cost anything and can often make a noticeable difference in just a few minutes. If your laptop is still slow after trying those steps and it uses a hard drive or has very little RAM upgrading to an SSD or adding more memory usually makes more sense, than buying a brand new laptop—provided your specific model allows for such upgrades.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes. Windows settings, features and update policies may vary depending on your Windows version and laptop manufacturer. Before making hardware upgrades or resetting Windows, back up your important files and check your device manufacturer's specifications and Microsoft's latest support documentation.
