Windows 11 is the most common operating system in the world for desktop users, but it is also one of the most resource heavy. Out of the box, it comes with loads of background animations, transparency effects, and security features that are usually too much for older computers, eating up your CPU and RAM. These features aren't strictly necessary and usually lead to people thinking they need to buy new hardware, but this isn't true!
You don't need to download sketchy "PC Speed Boosters," try to "download free RAM" (THIS IS NOT REAL!!!), or use aggressive registry cleaners (which often just break your system). Here is the actual, expert backed way to speed up your machine.
Clean Up Startup Apps
The primary issue I come across with customers' computers here at Sussex Tech Repair is startup apps. Every time you start up Windows 11, third party software (like Spotify, Steam, printer utilities, and RGB controllers) tries to load up in the background. Even if they are not actively being used, these services take up system resources that could be better spent on what you're actually doing.
Stopping these from actively starting up is easy and could save you a trip to your local computer repair shop!
Open Task Manager. The easiest way is pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time.
Click on Startup apps (the speedometer icon on the left sidebar).
Click the Startup impact column to sort by the worst offenders.
Right click anything marked "High" or "Medium" that you don't actively need immediately and select Disable. (Note: This doesn't delete the app; it just stops it from automatically launching when you turn your PC on).
Visual Bloat and Hidden Security Overhead
Windows 11 uses an aesthetic called "Mica" that renders heavy acrylic transparency and shadow animations that take up vital system resources. These effects can be lowered or completely disabled to instantly boost your computer's performance.
- To do this, press the Start button, search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows," and open it. Select "Adjust for best performance" to disable the heavy animations.
The Hidden Gaming Killer (VBS / Core Isolation): Windows 11 uses Virtualisation Based Security and memory integrity. While great for corporate security, it isolates the Windows kernel in a virtual machine, causing a massive drop in gaming frame rates and increasing input latency on older CPUs.
- To disable this, go to: Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security. Click Core isolation details and toggle Memory Integrity off.
The Power User Secret Tool
Out of the box, Windows 11 is full of forced telemetry and data tracking (terrible for privacy), sponsored apps (like TikTok or Candy Crush), and heavy background applications (such as Cortana and Edge background tasks) that regular settings simply can't fully remove.
Chris Titus, a former enterprise systems administrator and popular tech YouTuber, has created an amazing tool called the Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility (WinUtil). This is a powerful, open source script for debloating and speeding up Windows, and it is incredibly easy to use!
First, launch PowerShell as Administrator. (Rule of thumb: Only do this if you trust the script you are going to run! You shouldn't trust random scripts you find online).
Type in this exact command: irm christitus.com/win | iex
Hit enter. This will launch a clean interface for you to modify your Windows install.
Once you're in the tool, navigate to the Tweaks tab.
Select the Standard Profile (either for Desktop or Laptop). This will apply safe optimisations that disable resource intensive tracking, consumer bloatware, and unnecessary background services.
Disclaimer: Running any tool with administrator privileges or in PowerShell is risky. The "Standard" tweaks are safe; however, clicking around the advanced settings in this tool can break Windows. If you aren't comfortable running a script like this, my IT support team at Sussex Tech Repair can safely debloat your system for you.
Reclaim Storage and Auto Cleanup
Solid State Drives (SSDs) suffer from performance degradation when they reach 80% of their capacity. Windows requires empty space for virtual memory and cache operations to keep things running smoothly.
Instead of searching through thousands of files to make room, you can automate this:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense and toggle it on.
It will run quietly in the background and clear out any temporary files and old Windows Updates when your storage gets low (meaning there is absolutely no need for sketchy crap cleaners... cough cough, McAfee).
Keep in mind, software modification will only go so far. If Windows 11 is installed on an older mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD), the PC will always struggle to be fast. Upgrading to an SSD is the single biggest hardware performance leap a computer can experience.
Conclusion
Speeding up Windows 11 is all about stopping unnecessary software, settings, and applications from fighting for your computer's resources. This involves turning off heavy UI graphics, managing your startup impact, and using tools like the Chris Titus Debloater to strip away Microsoft's unnecessary built in bloatware.
Have you tried these steps without any success, or maybe you just don't feel confident enough to run PowerShell scripts yourself? Your system could be suffering from hardware failure, thermal throttling (overheating), or simply be in need of a RAM or SSD upgrade.
Book a FREE diagnostic with our Sussex Tech Repair team today, and we'll get your machine running faster than ever!