10 Ways to Speed Up a Slow Laptop

A slow laptop turns even the simplest task into a time-sucking slog. Whether you're working, gaming, streaming, or studying, nothing kills productivity faster than lag and long load times.

But the good news? You don't need to be a tech wizard to fix it.

This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you real, actionable ways to speed up your slow laptop. From simple tweaks to deeper fixes, here’s how to get your machine moving like it used to—or even better.

1. Close the Resource Hogs

Problem: Too many apps or background processes are eating up memory and CPU.

Fix: Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac). Sort by CPU or Memory usage. And stop tasks you don’t need.

Tip: Look for browser tabs with videos, high-memory apps like Photoshop, or background utilities you forgot were running.

2. Disable Startup Programs

Problem: Your laptop crawls during boot-up.

Fix: Disable unnecessary startup apps. On Windows, go to Task Manager → Startup tab. On Mac, go to System Settings → Users & Groups → Login Items.

Pro tip: Leave antivirus and system tools on, but turn off things like Spotify, Zoom, or OneDrive if they aren't essential from the get-go.

3. Uninstall What You Don’t Use

Problem: Old software and bloatware take up space and sometimes run in the background.

Fix: Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac). Uninstall anything you don’t recognize or haven’t used in the past 6 months.

Warning: If you’re unsure what something is, Google it before deleting. You don’t want to remove a driver or system file by mistake.

4. Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Problem: Your disk is at full capacity, and your system lacks space to operate.

Fix: On Windows, run Disk Cleanup. On Mac, use the built-in storage manager. Also consider using third-party tools like CCleaner.

Don’t forget: Empty your Recycle Bin/Trash and delete temporary files.

5. Run Malware and Adware Scans

Problem: Malware slows your system down dramatically.

Fix: Use trusted antivirus software. For Windows, Microsoft Defender is solid, but Malwarebytes or Bitdefender offer extra coverage. Mac users can also use Malwarebytes for Mac.

Red flags: Random pop-ups, mysterious programs, or sudden slowness without reason.

6. Add More RAM (If You Can)

Problem: Your laptop struggles with multitasking or heavier apps.

Fix: Upgrading RAM will make a big difference. Many laptops allow you to add more—check your specs first.

Rule of thumb:

• 8GB is minimum for casual users.

• 16GB is ideal for multitaskers or light creatives.

• 32GB+ for heavy creative work, devs, or gamers.

7. Switch to an SSD

Problem: Old-school spinning hard drives (HDDs) are painfully slow.

Fix: Upgrade to a Solid State Drive (SSD). SSDs are many times faster than HDDs and gives old laptops a new lease on life.

DIY or Pro? Swapping in an SSD can be a DIY job if you’re comfortable opening up your laptop. If not, a local tech shop will do it for you.

8. Update Your Software

Problem: Outdated operating systems or drivers can slow performance.

Fix: Keep your OS, drivers, and firmware updated. On Windows, go to Settings → Windows Update. On Mac, System Settings → Software Update.

Bonus: Updates often include security and performance improvements.

9. Optimize Your Browser

Problem: Your web browser is dragging everything down.

Fix:

• Close unused tabs.

• Remove unnecessary extensions.

• Clear cache and cookies.

• Switch to a lighter browser like Brave or use performance modes in Edge or Chrome.

Tip: Chrome users—type chrome://settings/performance to tweak memory saver settings.

10. Reset or Reinstall Your Operating System

Problem: Everything’s sluggish and no single fix works.

Fix: Reset your system (Windows) or reinstall macOS. This clears out bloat, corruption, and hidden malware.

Back up first! Use an external hard drive or cloud storage to save your files.

• Windows: Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC

• Mac: Use macOS Recovery (Command + R during startup)

Bonus Tips for Ongoing Speed

• Keep your desktop clean. Too many icons slow down boot time.

• Restart regularly. Especially if you keep your laptop in sleep mode.

• Use a lightweight antivirus. Avoid heavy-duty ones that eat up resources.

• Turn off visual effects. On Windows, search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" and disable animations.

• Regularly defrag (HDD only). SSDs don’t need defragmenting, but if you’re still on an HDD, it will help.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a new laptop to get a faster one. Most slowness comes from junk files, background programs, and aging hardware. The steps above will help squeeze out a lot more life—and speed—from your current machine.

Start with the easiest fixes. If you're still stuck, consider a hardware upgrade or reset. Either way, you’ve got options. For other potential ways to speed up a slow laptop, call us today.

What Our Clients Say

"My laptop was practically unusable. After following these steps, it's like I bought a new one. The SSD upgrade made the biggest difference!"— Janelle M., Freelance Designer.

"I was ready to throw my old MacBook away. Glad I didn't! Removing startup programs and cleaning up the drive gave it a huge speed boost."— Tom R., Remote Worker.

"I contacted the team for help and they walked me through each step. My laptop hasn’t been this fast in years. Highly recommended."— Chris W., Small Business Owner.

We have 'special' ways to speed up a slow laptop (-;

Want a faster laptop without the guesswork?

We offer expert optimization and upgrade services tailored to your needs—whether you want a clean-up, RAM boost, SSD install, or full reset. Don’t let a slow machine drag you down.

📩 Contact us now or call 765.359.8324 for a free consultation.