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Free Windows 11 Guide

Windows 11 running slow? Try these simple speed tips first.

Easy steps for home users, students and small businesses. No confusing technician language. Just safe, practical checks you can do before replacing your laptop or desktop.

💬 Ask FixTribeSA for Help Start the Checklist

Tip: Do one step at a time, then restart your computer and test again.

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Quick Wins

  • Stop unnecessary startup apps
  • Clean temporary files
  • Check storage space
  • Update Windows and drivers
  • Remove heavy background apps
Before you change anything

Create a Restore Point first

A restore point gives Windows a safe place to roll back to if a setting causes problems. It should not delete your personal documents, photos or downloads.

How to create a restore point

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type Create a restore point.
  3. Open it and select your C: drive.
  4. Click Create.
  5. Name it Before FixTribeSA Speed Tips.
  6. Click Create again.
Windows 11 Speed Checklist

Follow these steps in order

These checks are safe for most normal Windows 11 users. If you are unsure, stop and ask FixTribeSA before deleting or disabling anything important.

01

Disable startup apps

Too many apps opening when Windows starts can make the computer feel slow immediately.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Click Startup apps.
  3. Look for apps with High or Medium impact.
  4. Right-click apps you do not need straight away.
  5. Click Disable.
Keep enabled: antivirus, audio tools, touchpad tools and VPN software you use every day.
02

Use the correct power mode

Your computer may be saving power instead of giving you better performance.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System.
  3. Open Power or Power & battery.
  4. Choose Best performance, if available.
Laptop tip: Use Best performance mainly when plugged into the charger.
03

Reduce visual effects

Animations and transparency look nice, but they can slow older laptops and desktops.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
  3. Open it.
  4. Choose Adjust for best performance.
  5. Or choose Custom and keep smooth screen fonts.
Also try Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects, then turn off transparency and animations.
04

Clean temporary files

A full C: drive can slow Windows badly. Try to keep at least 15% to 20% free space.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Storage.
  3. Turn on Storage Sense.
  4. Open Cleanup recommendations.
  5. Remove temporary files Windows recommends.
05

Run Disk Cleanup

This removes old update files and general Windows junk files.

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Type cleanmgr.
  3. Choose your C: drive.
  4. Click Clean up system files.
  5. Select safe items like Temporary files and Windows Update Cleanup.
  6. Click OK.
Only empty the Recycle Bin if you are sure you no longer need those files.
06

Check Windows updates

Updates can fix slow performance, driver issues, Wi-Fi faults, printer problems and freezing.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Open Advanced options.
  5. Check Optional updates for useful driver updates.
07

Stop background apps

Some apps keep running even when you are not using them.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
  3. Find the app.
  4. Click the three dots.
  5. Open Advanced options, if available.
  6. Set Background app permissions to Never.
08

Optimize your storage drive

Windows can safely optimize SSD and HDD drives using the correct method.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type Defragment and Optimize Drives.
  3. Select your drive.
  4. Click Optimize.
  5. Set scheduled optimization to Weekly.
For an SSD, Windows uses TRIM. For an older hard drive, Windows defrags it.
09

Reduce unnecessary diagnostics

This is more of a privacy and background-activity cleanup than a major speed boost.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & security.
  3. Open Diagnostics & feedback.
  4. Turn off optional diagnostic and tailored experience settings you do not need.
10

Change DNS for faster browsing

This will not increase your fibre speed, but it can help websites start loading faster.

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
  2. Open your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  3. Find DNS server assignment.
  4. Click Edit and choose Manual.
  5. Turn on IPv4.
  6. Use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
11

Use Efficiency Mode carefully

If one app is using too much CPU, Windows can limit it.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Click Processes.
  3. Look at the CPU column.
  4. Right-click a heavy background app.
  5. Click Efficiency mode.
Do not use this on antivirus, Windows system processes, or apps doing important work.
12

Try GPU scheduling

This may help some computers with gaming, video editing and graphics-heavy apps.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Display > Graphics.
  3. Click Change default graphics settings.
  4. Turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, if available.
  5. Restart your computer.
This setting only appears on supported computers.
Important safety advice

What not to do

Some online “speed fixes” can damage Windows or make your computer less secure. Avoid shortcuts that create bigger problems later.

Do not install random “PC booster” apps.
Do not disable Windows Defender.
Do not disable Windows Update.
Do not delete system files manually.
Do not edit the Registry unless a technician is guiding you.
Do not disable the page file unless your system has been checked.
Still slow?

It may need a proper technician check.

If your Windows 11 computer still freezes, starts slowly, overheats, shows storage warnings, has virus symptoms, or uses an old hard drive, FixTribeSA can help with a proper diagnosis.

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