Free Tricks to Speed Up Windows 11 in 2025

Windows 11 has evolved significantly by 2025, but even the latest updates can’t always prevent sluggish performance. Over time, bloatware, background processes, and fragmented storage can slow down your system. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy expensive hardware upgrades or software—these free tricks will breathe new life into your PC.

In this guide, we’ll cover practical, user-tested methods to optimize Windows 11 for speed, responsiveness, and efficiency. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, these strategies will help you reclaim your system’s performance.

Pro Tip: Pair these tweaks with free tools like the Google SiteKit Plugin for WordPress to manage website-related tasks efficiently.

Table of Contents

1. Why Does Windows 11 Slow Down Over Time?
2. 15 Free Tricks to Speed Up Windows 11 in 2025
   • 2.1 Disable Startup Bloatware
   • 2.2 Optimize Storage with Built-in Tools
   • 2.3 Adjust Visual Effects for Performance
   • 2.4 Update Drivers and Windows
   • 2.5 Use Power Mode Settings
   • 2.6 Clean Up Temporary Files Automatically
   • 2.7 Manage Background Apps
   • 2.8 Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
   • 2.9 Disable Unnecessary Services
   • 2.10 Optimize Virtual Memory
   • 2.11 Use the New AI-Powered Storage Sense (2025 Feature)
   • 2.12 Reset or Reinstall Windows 11
   • 2.13 Leverage Cloud-Based Processing (Windows 11 2025 Update)
   • 2.14 Defragment SSDs (Yes, in 2025!)
   • 2.15 Create a Custom Performance Profile
3. Comparison Table: Impact of Each Trick
4. FAQs

Why Does Windows 11 Slow Down Over Time?

Common culprits include:

• Startup overload: Too many apps launching at boot.
• Storage fragmentation: HDDs/SSDs filling up or lacking optimization.
• Background processes: Resource-hungry apps like browsers or updaters.
• Outdated drivers: Incompatibility with newer software.
• Visual effects: Animations and transparency effects draining GPU/CPU.
• Too Many Background Apps: Apps like Teams, Spotify, or Grammarly Premium draining RAM.

By 2025, Windows 11 integrates AI-driven tools to mitigate these issues, but manual tweaks still deliver the best results.

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15 Free Tricks to Speed Up Windows 11 in 2025

1. Disable Startup Bloatware

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Right-click unnecessary apps (e.g., Spotify, Adobe Updater) and select Disable.

Impact: Reduces boot time by up to 40%.

Also Read: Best remote control software for windows

2. Optimize Storage with Built-in Tools

Windows 11’s Storage Sense automatically deletes junk files.

• Enable it via Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
• Schedule weekly cleanups to remove temp files, downloads, and recycle bin contents.

Pro Tip: Combine this with free Amazon Prime accounts to offload media storage.

3. Adjust Visual Effects for Performance

Prioritize speed over aesthetics:

1. Search for View advanced system settings in the Start menu.
2. Under Performance, click Settings.
3. Select Adjust for best performance or manually disable animations.

4. Update Drivers and Windows

Outdated drivers cause lag. Use Windows Update or visit manufacturers’ websites for GPU, chipset, and network driver updates.

5. Use Power Mode Settings

Switch to Best Performance mode:

1. Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery.
2. Select Best Performance under Power Mode.

6. Clean Up Temporary Files Automatically

Use Disk Cleanup (search in Start menu) to remove system files, updates, and logs.

7. Manage Background Apps

Prevent apps like OneDrive or Teams from running in the background:

1. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Startup.
2. Toggle off apps like OneDrive, WhatsApp Web, or Slack.

8. Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

Boost graphics performance:

1. Search for Graphics Settings in Start.
2. Toggle on Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling.

9. Disable Unnecessary Services

Warning: Advanced users only.

1. Type services.msc in the Run dialog (shortcut: Windows + R).
2. Disable services like SysMain (SuperFetch) or Remote Registry if unused.

10. Optimize Virtual Memory

Adjust paging file size:

1. Go to Advanced system settings > Performance > Advanced > Virtual Memory.
2. Set a custom size (1.5x your RAM) or let Windows manage it.

11. Use the New AI-Powered Storage Sense (2025 Feature)

The 2025 update introduced AI-driven storage optimization:

• Predicts which files to compress/delete based on usage patterns.
• Enable via Storage Sense > Advanced Settings.

12. Reset or Reinstall Windows 11

A clean install fixes deep-seated issues. Use Cloud Reset (2025 feature) to reinstall Windows without losing files.

13. Leverage Cloud-Based Processing

Windows 11 2025 integrates Cloud Compute Boost, offloading tasks to Microsoft’s servers for faster performance. Enable it in Settings > System > Cloud Compute.

Note: Requires stable internet. Use ExpressVPN free accounts for secure connections.

14. Defragment SSDs (Yes, in 2025!)

Modern SSDs benefit from TRIM optimization, not traditional defragmentation. Windows 11 automatically handles this, but you can manually trigger it via Optimize Drives.

Also Read: How to run windows apps on chromebook without developer mode

15. Create a Custom Performance Profile

Use Windows PowerShell to tweak hidden settings:

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

1. Press Win + S, type PowerShell.
2. Right-click Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator.
3. Click Yes to grant permissions.

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Step 2: Essential Commands to Speed Up Windows 11

1. Enable Ultimate Performance Power Plan

This hidden power plan maximizes CPU and GPU performance:

powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61

What it does: Disables power-saving throttling for desktops or high-performance laptops.

2. Disable SuperFetch (SysMain)

SuperFetch preloads apps into RAM, but it can slow down older systems:

Stop-Service -Name "SysMain" -Force 
Set-Service -Name "SysMain" -StartupType Disabled

What it does: Frees up RAM usage for immediate tasks.

3. Trim SSDs for Faster Storage

Force TRIM optimization (even if Windows handles it automatically):

Optimize-Volume -DriveLetter C -ReTrim -Verbose

What it does: Improves SSD write speeds and longevity.

4. Disable Telemetry and Diagnostics

Reduce background data collection:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" -Name "AllowTelemetry" -Value 0

What it does: Minimizes CPU/disk usage from Microsoft’s diagnostics.

5. Clear Windows Update Cache

Fix update-related slowdowns:

Stop-Service -Name "wuauserv" -Force 
Remove-Item -Path "$env:SystemRoot\SoftwareDistribution\*" -Recurse -Force 
Start-Service -Name "wuauserv"

What it does: Deletes corrupted update files that cause background hangs.

6. Speed Up Taskbar and Start Menu

Reduce animation delays:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" -Name "TaskbarAnimations" -Value 0

What it does: Makes the UI feel snappier.

Comparison Table: Impact of Each Trick

Trick	Time Required	Difficulty	Performance Gain
Disable Startup Bloatware	2 minutes	Easy	High
Optimize Storage	5 minutes	Easy	Medium
Adjust Visual Effects	3 minutes	Easy	Medium
Update Drivers	10 minutes	Moderate	High
Use Power Mode Settings	1 minute	Easy	Low-Medium
Cloud Compute Boost (2025)	2 minutes	Easy	High
Reset Windows 11	30+ minutes	Moderate	Very High

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FAQs

Q1: Will these tricks void my warranty?
No—all methods use built-in Windows tools or approved settings.

Q2: Do I need technical skills to speed up Windows 11?
Most tricks are beginner-friendly. Advanced steps (e.g., PowerShell) are optional.

Q3: How often should I optimize my PC?
Perform light maintenance (e.g., Storage Sense) weekly. Major tweaks every 6 months.

Q4: How does Cloud Compute Boost affect privacy?
Data is encrypted and processed anonymously. For added security, use free ExpressVPN accounts.

Q5: Can I revert changes if something goes wrong?
Most settings (e.g., visual effects) can be reset instantly. For system-wide changes, create a restore point first.

Q6: Where can I find free tools for productivity?
Check our guides on free ChatGPT accounts or Spotify Premium APK.

Also Read: Myntra affiliate program

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Final Thoughts

Windows 11 in 2025 is a powerhouse, but only if you optimize it. Use these free tricks to eliminate bottlenecks, leverage AI tools, and integrate cloud resources. For more tech hacks, explore FreeTricksWorld guides like unblurring Chegg answers or earning free Paytm cash

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Ready to turbocharge your system? Start with disabling startup apps today!