6 changes to make Windows 11 run much better on your old PC

Windows 11 brings a fresh look and modern features, but older PCs can struggle to keep up with its demands. Fortunately, there are several settings you can tweak to boost performance without upgrading your hardware. These small changes can make a big difference if you’re not ready to buy a new device.

Replace your HDD with an SSD

The first and most impactful upgrade is switching from a traditional hard drive to an SSD. An SSD is up to six times faster, especially if it’s an NVMe M.2 model, dramatically improving startup times and overall responsiveness.

Keep Windows updated

Many users avoid updates fearing performance drops, but Windows updates often include key optimizations and security patches. Staying current ensures your system runs more efficiently and safely.

Disable startup programs

Some apps launch automatically with Windows, using up resources even when unused. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup Apps, and disable everything unnecessary to reduce boot time and free up memory.

Turn off visual effects

Animations and transparency look nice but slow down older hardware. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and disable both transparency and animation options to make your system snappier.

Remove widgets from the taskbar

Widgets constantly update in the background, consuming CPU and RAM. Right-click on the taskbar, go to Taskbar settings, and turn off the Widgets toggle to free up resources instantly.

Use the High performance power plan

Go to Windows Search and type “power plan” to access energy settings. Choose High performance to maximize your processor’s speed, especially if you’re plugged into power and want smoother multitasking.