đź’» How to Make Your Laptop Run Faster (2025 Guide)
Is your laptop running slower than usual? Whether it’s booting up too long, lagging during work, or freezing mid-task, there are easy ways to make it fast again. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to speed up your laptop without spending money or upgrading hardware.
🧹 1. Clean Up Unused Programs
Old apps take up CPU power and memory in the background.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see what’s using your CPU and memory.
Uninstall apps you don’t use by going to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.
Optional: Use a free cleaner like CCleaner to safely remove junk files.
⚙️ 2. Disable Startup Programs
Your laptop slows down when too many apps start automatically.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup Apps tab.
Disable anything you don’t need (like Discord, Steam, or Spotify).
Restart your computer — it’ll boot up much faster.
🔄 3. Update Windows and Drivers
Outdated software can cause lag, bugs, and crashes.
Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
For drivers, visit your laptop brand’s website:
HP Support
Lenovo Support
Dell Support
Keeping everything up to date improves speed and compatibility.
🧠4. Manage Background Processes
Some background apps constantly use memory.
Open Task Manager → Processes tab.
Right-click anything unnecessary and click End Task (avoid system processes).
In Settings → Apps → Background Apps, disable apps you rarely use.
đź’ˇ 5. Adjust Power Settings
Your laptop might be in power saver mode, which limits CPU performance.
Go to Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance.
On laptops, use Balanced mode when unplugged to save battery.
🧩 6. Use Lightweight Software
Heavy software like Chrome or Photoshop can slow down older systems. Try these faster alternatives:
Browser: Brave or Firefox
Office: LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office
Photo editing: Photopea — runs in your browser
🧽 7. Clear Temporary and Cache Files
Temporary files fill up storage fast.
Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and delete everything inside the folder.
Run Disk Cleanup and select your main drive (C:).
Empty your Recycle Bin afterward.
🪄 8. Check for Malware and Viruses
Malware can secretly use your system’s power.
Use Windows Security → Quick Scan or a trusted antivirus like Malwarebytes.
Avoid downloading random “speed boosters” — many are fake.
⚡ 9. Use Storage Sense or Optimize Drives
Windows 11 has a built-in cleanup tool.
Go to Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense.
Enable automatic cleanup of temporary files.
If you’re on an HDD, defragment it using Defragment and Optimize Drives.
🚀 10. Restart Weekly
Simple but powerful — a restart clears your RAM and background clutter. Restart your laptop at least once a week to keep it running smoothly.
âś… Final Thoughts
You don’t need expensive upgrades to speed up your laptop. Just regular maintenance and smart software management can keep it running like new.
If these tips help, bookmark this guide and share it — it might save someone from buying a new laptop too soon!