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How to speed up a slow Windows laptop

Before you buy anything, check the usual suspects. A full disk, one frozen app, or a browser with too many tabs makes a laptop feel old. These are built-in fixes, in roughly the order I would try them.

  1. How to force close a frozen app in Windows 11

    Turn on End Task in Settings > System > For developers. Then right-click the frozen app on the taskbar and choose End task.

    Use it when: You can kill one stuck app without opening Task Manager and finding it in the list.

    Windows · Easy · 2 min · Full steps

  2. How to free up disk space automatically in Windows 11

    Turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage. It deletes temporary files and empties the recycle bin on a schedule. Leave the Downloads cleanup off unless that folder is only junk.

    Use it when: Temporary files and a recycle bin full of old deletes stop being a manual chore.

    Windows · Moderate · 3 min · Full steps

  3. How to stop Chrome using so much memory

    Turn on Memory Saver in Chrome Settings > Performance. Tabs you aren't using go to sleep and reload when you click them.

    Use it when: A laptop with a lot of tabs stays usable, at the cost of a reload when you go back.

    Chrome / Browser · Easy · 2 min · Full steps

  4. How to see which Chrome tab is using the most memory

    Press Shift + Esc while Chrome is in front to open its task manager, click the Memory column to sort, and end the tab or extension that's hogging it.

    Use it when: You can close the runaway tab or extension instead of quitting the whole browser.

    Chrome / Browser · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

Questions people ask

Is there a way without changing settings?

Yes. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the app and click End task.

Is Storage Sense safe?

Yes for temporary files and the recycle bin. The Downloads option is the one that can delete things you meant to keep.

Do sleeping tabs lose my place?

No. The tab and its address stay. Unsaved text in a form can be lost if the site didn't save it.

What happens when I end a tab's process?

The tab closes or shows a crash page you can reload. Save anything you typed first.

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