Few things test your patience like a laptop that takes minutes to start, freezes when you open a program, or grinds to a halt with a few browser tabs open. A slow laptop isn’t always a dying one. Most slowdowns have a clear cause, and many can be fixed quickly and cheaply.
Start with a proper restart
Windows’ Fast Startup feature means that shutting down doesn’t fully reset the system, so it can run for weeks without a clean start. Choose Restart from the Start menu instead, which clears out stuck programs and finishes waiting updates. If the laptop feels quicker afterwards, make restarting a weekly habit.
Common causes of a slow laptop
- Too many programs starting with Windows. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to Startup apps and disable anything you don’t need running all the time.
- A nearly full drive. Windows needs free space to work. Aim to keep at least 10–20% of your drive free, clear old downloads, empty the Recycle Bin and turn on Storage Sense in Settings.
- An old hard drive. Many older laptops still use a mechanical hard drive, which is far slower than a modern SSD. In Task Manager, the Performance tab shows whether your disk is an HDD or an SSD.
- Not enough memory. Laptops with 4GB of RAM struggle with Windows 11 and modern browsers. 8GB is a sensible minimum for everyday use, and 16GB is better for heavier work.
- Malware or unwanted software. Adware and other unwanted programs eat up resources in the background. Read How to Tell if Your PC Has a Virus if you’re unsure.
- Overheating. A dusty laptop slows itself down to keep cool. See Why Is My Laptop Overheating?.
- Out-of-date software. Missing Windows updates and old drivers can cause slowdowns and crashes.
- An overloaded browser. Dozens of open tabs and extensions can use more memory than everything else combined.
Check your power settings
If your laptop is set to save battery, Windows deliberately slows it down. Open Settings, go to System, then Power & battery, and choose a balanced or best performance mode while you’re plugged in. Some laptops also hold back their speed when the battery is badly worn, so if yours only runs smoothly on the charger, the battery may need replacing.
Tidy up unused programs
Many laptops come with trial software you never use, and old programs pile up over the years. Go to Settings, then Apps, and uninstall anything you don’t recognise or no longer need. It frees up space, cuts down background activity and often removes pop-ups too.
Upgrades that make the biggest difference
If your laptop is otherwise in good shape, two upgrades transform most slow machines. Replacing a hard drive with an SSD makes start-up and opening programs dramatically quicker, and adding memory helps when you run several things at once. Our guide Is an SSD Upgrade Worth It? explains what’s involved. Sometimes a clean reinstall of Windows also helps, clearing out years of clutter, but always back up your files first.
When a slow laptop means something more serious
If your laptop freezes for several seconds at a time, makes clicking noises, or shows disk errors, the drive may be failing. Back up your important files straight away and get it checked. Our data recovery service can help if you can’t get to your files.
If you’d rather leave it to us, our laptop repair service covers clean-ups, SSD and memory upgrades and Windows repairs. We’ll tell you honestly whether an upgrade is worth it, or whether replacing the laptop makes more sense.
In short: restart properly, trim your startup programs, free up drive space and scan for malware. If the laptop still feels sluggish, an SSD and more memory are usually the most cost-effective upgrades, and they cost far less than a new laptop.
Need a hand? PC Masters offers a free diagnosis over the phone, a £59 same-day call-out across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Harpenden and Leighton Buzzard, No Fix, No Fee, and a warranty from 1 month up to 36 months. Book online or call 0800 145 5521, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.
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