If you’re wondering how to speed up a slow laptop, the good news is that most fixes are free and take minutes, not hours. A laptop rarely slows down for one dramatic reason. It’s usually a pile of small things: apps that launch at startup, a nearly full drive, a browser stuffed with tabs and extensions, or an update waiting on a restart. At FentoMagazine.com, we’ve gathered 15 fixes that actually work, from quick wins to hardware upgrades. Work through them in order, and you’ll find what’s really slowing you down before you spend a cent.
Key takeaways
- Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) first to see what’s actually slowing things down.
- Restarting properly, trimming startup apps, and freeing up storage cost nothing and often make a real difference.
- Updates and malware scans matter for speed as well as security.
- If the basics fail, check for overheating, then consider more RAM or an SSD before replacing the laptop.
Why Is My Laptop So Slow? Start With a Quick Check
Any plan for how to speed up a slow laptop works better when you know the cause, so take a minute to look under the hood first.
1. Check What’s Using Your Resources
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click the CPU, Memory, or Disk column to sort apps by usage. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.
Look for one app hogging resources, memory that stays close to full, or a disk that’s always busy. Each points to a different fix below.
How to Speed Up a Slow Laptop in a Few Minutes
These fixes cost nothing and often solve the problem on their own.
2. Restart It Properly
Closing the lid only puts your laptop to sleep, so apps and background processes can pile up for days. A restart clears memory and lets updates finish.
On Windows, choose Restart instead of Shut down. When Fast Startup is on, Shut down saves part of the system’s state for next time, while Restart starts completely fresh.
3. Close Apps and Tabs You Aren’t Using
Every open app and browser tab uses memory, so close what you don’t need. On a Mac, closing a window can leave the app running; press Command + Q to quit it fully.
If your workday lives in a wall of tabs, our work-from-home productivity tips can help you stay focused without burning out.
4. Trim Your Browser Extensions
Each extension can use memory and slow page loading, so remove any you don’t recognize or haven’t used in months. In Chrome or Edge on Windows, Shift + Esc opens a task manager showing which tabs and extensions use the most memory.
Stop Apps From Slowing Down Startup
Many apps set themselves to open the moment you sign in, then run in the background all day. If you’re working out how to speed up a slow laptop that takes ages to start, begin here.
5. Disable Startup Apps
On Windows, open Task Manager and go to Startup apps, which rates each app’s startup impact. Right-click anything you don’t need right away and choose Disable.
On a Mac, open System Settings > General > Login Items (Login Items & Extensions in newer versions) and remove what you don’t need. The apps stay installed either way.
6. Turn Off Background Apps and Extra Notifications
Some apps keep running to refresh content or sync files. On Windows 11, check an app’s Advanced options under Settings > Apps > Installed apps; if it has a background permission, set it to Never. Pausing a big cloud sync while you work helps, too.
While you’re at it, turn off notifications you don’t need. It’s a small performance tweak, and fewer pings help your focus. For more ideas, try our simple digital wellbeing habits.
Free Up Storage Space
A nearly full drive can drag down any laptop. Apple’s guide for when your Mac runs slowly lists low disk space first, and Microsoft gives the same advice for Windows.
7. Uninstall Apps You Don’t Use
Old games, expired trials, and preinstalled extras take up space, and some run background services. On Windows, uninstall them in Settings > Apps, but look up unfamiliar entries first, since some are drivers. On a Mac, drag unused apps to the Trash.
8. Clear Temporary Files and Offload Big Ones
On Windows, delete temporary files in Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense to clear them automatically. On a Mac, System Settings > General > Storage offers recommendations, such as emptying the Trash automatically. Then move old downloads, videos, and photo libraries to an external drive or cloud storage.
9. Optimize and Check Your Drive
On Windows, search the Start menu for Defragment and Optimize Drives, select your drive, and click Optimize; it handles both hard drives and SSDs. On a Mac, open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, and run First Aid to check for errors and try to repair them.
Keep Your Laptop Updated and Malware-Free
Updates and security scans rarely feel like the answer to how to speed up a slow laptop, but they fix problems no settings tweak can.
10. Install System and Driver Updates
Microsoft’s own tips to improve PC performance in Windows put updates first, saying they often include fixes and performance improvements. The page also notes that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so if you’re still on it, see whether your laptop can upgrade to Windows 11.
On Windows 11, check Settings > Windows Update, including Advanced options > Optional updates for drivers. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
11. Scan for Malware
Malware can quietly use up processing power and disk resources. The Federal Trade Commission lists a computer that slows down, freezes, or crashes among the possible signs, along with a flood of pop-up ads and browser toolbars you didn’t add.
On Windows, run a scan from Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. On any laptop, keep security software updated, download apps only from official stores or developers’ own websites, and ignore pop-ups urging you to call tech support.
Change a Few Settings to Make Your Laptop Faster
Default settings often favor battery life and looks over raw speed. Two changes can make your laptop faster when it counts.
12. Pick a Faster Power Mode
On Windows 11, set Power mode to Best performance under Settings > System > Power & battery while you’re plugged in. Microsoft notes this drains the battery faster and can make your laptop run warmer, so switch back when you unplug. On a MacBook, turn off Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery when you need full speed.
13. Turn Down Visual Effects
Animations and transparency look nice but can cost older machines some speed. On Windows, search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” and pick Adjust for best performance. On a Mac, turning on Reduce motion and Reduce transparency in System Settings > Accessibility > Display may make an older model feel snappier.
How to Speed Up a Slow Laptop When the Basics Aren’t Enough
Our rule of thumb at FentoMagazine.com: try every free fix before spending money on hardware. If your laptop still crawls, look here next.
14. Keep It Cool and Clean
Laptops slow themselves down when they get too hot, and dusty vents or soft surfaces like beds make that more likely.
Work on a hard, flat surface, and clean the vents with short bursts of compressed air while the laptop is off and unplugged. If the fan roars during light tasks, have a repair shop take a look.
15. Upgrade the RAM or Storage
If memory stays maxed out in Task Manager or Activity Monitor, more RAM can help, and swapping an old hard drive for an SSD is often the most noticeable upgrade an older laptop can get. Many thin laptops, including MacBooks with Apple silicon, can’t have their memory upgraded, so check your model first.
Before opening the case, review your warranty, and ask a qualified repair technician if you’re unsure. This guide is general information; see our disclaimer for details.
Still slow? A reset gives you a clean slate: Windows offers Reset this PC under Recovery in Settings, and recent Macs offer Erase All Content and Settings. Back up everything first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my laptop so slow all of a sudden?
A sudden slowdown usually has a recent cause: a big update installing in the background, a new startup app, a drive that just filled up, a runaway browser tab, or malware. Open Task Manager or Activity Monitor to see what’s using resources, then restart. If the slowdown returns, work through the fixes above.
Do PC cleaner or “booster” apps help?
Usually, you don’t need them. Windows and macOS already include the tools that matter, like Storage Sense, Task Manager, and Activity Monitor. Some cleaner apps run in the background themselves, and pop-ups pushing them can be scams. If you try one, get it from your app store or the developer’s official website.
Does a laptop get slower with age?
Partly. Dust can build up and make it run hotter, but the bigger change is usually software: apps and websites grow more demanding, startup lists get longer, and drives fill up. These fixes can make an older laptop feel much quicker, until its hardware can’t keep up with the software you need.
Should I fix my slow laptop or buy a new one?
Try the free fixes first; they cost nothing but time. If your laptop still struggles with everyday tasks, can’t run a supported operating system, or needs a repair costing a big share of a new one’s price, replacing it is often the better value. A qualified repair technician can give you a quote first.
Start With the Free Fixes
Learning how to speed up a slow laptop doesn’t take technical skills, just a little patience. Check what’s using your resources, restart properly, trim startup apps, free up space, and keep everything updated. Those steps often bring a sluggish laptop back to life, and if they don’t, you’ll know whether heat, memory, or an aging drive is the real culprit.
For more practical guides, browse our Technology section or read our 25 digital lifestyle tips for smarter living. For fresh ideas beyond tech, head back to the FentoMagazine.com digital lifestyle magazine.
