How to fix a Windows 11 computer that is running slow due to multiple background apps and services competing for resources

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a Windows 11 computer that is running slow due to multiple background apps and services competing for resources. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

When a Windows 11 computer starts feeling sluggish, the culprit is often a build-up of background apps, services, and startup programs all competing for CPU, memory, and disk resources at the same time. The good news is that Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that make it straightforward to identify what's hogging your system and take action. This guide walks you through a logical, step-by-step process to diagnose and resolve slow performance, starting with the quickest wins and moving into deeper troubleshooting if needed.

If your machine is also struggling with browser issues or app crashes, see our related guides on browser not loading pages and applications freezing or crashing. For broader slow-performance advice, refer to computer running slow.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these in order before moving to the detailed instructions below:

1. Restart your computer to clear temporary memory and stop background processes.
2. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and check the Processes tab for anything using high CPU or memory.
3. Disable non-essential startup programs from the Startup tab in Task Manager.
4. Run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic and check for Windows updates.
5. Open Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooters and run the System Maintenance troubleshooter.

Detailed Instructions

1. Identify Resource Hogs Using Task Manager

Task Manager is your first stop for understanding what's running on your machine.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click More details if you only see a compact view.
3. On the Processes tab, click the CPU, Memory, or Disk column headers to sort by highest usage.
4. Note any unfamiliar processes consuming significant resources. Right-click a process and select Search online to confirm whether it's legitimate or potentially unwanted.
5. For processes you recognise and don't need right now, right-click and choose End task.

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Many apps quietly add themselves to startup and run in the background every time you sign in.

1. In Task Manager, click the Startup tab.
2. Review the Startup impact column — anything rated High is worth investigating.
3. Right-click any non-essential program and choose Disable. Common candidates include chat apps, cloud sync tools, media players, and game launchers you don't use daily.
4. Restart your computer and observe whether startup time and overall responsiveness improve.

3. Review Background Services

Some apps keep services running even after you close them.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Sort the list by the Status column to see what's currently running.
3. For services you don't need (such as fax services, print spoolers when no printer is connected, or third-party vendor software), double-click the entry, set the Startup type to Disabled or Manual, then click Stop.
4. Click OK and repeat as needed.

4. Adjust Background App Permissions

Windows 11 lets individual apps run in the background even when you're not using them.

1. Open Settings with Win + I.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Click the three dots next to an app you want to restrict and choose Advanced options.
4. Under Background app permissions, select Power optimised (recommended) or Never for apps that don't need to run in the background.

5. Use Resource Monitor for Deeper Analysis

Resource Monitor gives you a more detailed view than Task Manager, including which services and processes are using the disk and network.

1. Press Win + R, type resmon, and press Enter.
2. Review the CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network tabs.
3. On the Disk tab, check the Disk activity section to see if a particular process is constantly reading or writing — this is a common cause of perceived sluggishness.
4. On the CPU tab, look at the Services section to identify background services consuming processing time.

6. Check for Windows Updates and Driver Issues

Outdated drivers and missing updates frequently cause performance problems.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install anything pending, including optional driver updates.
3. Restart when prompted.
4. Open Device Manager (search for it from the Start menu) and check for any devices showing a yellow warning triangle. Right-click and choose Update driver.

7. Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find System Maintenance and click Run.
3. Follow the prompts. The troubleshooter can automatically clear unused files, adjust power settings, and identify broken shortcuts.

8. Test Your Memory

If performance issues persist, faulty RAM can mimic software problems.

1. Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
2. Choose Restart now and check for problems.
3. Windows will reboot, run the test, and display results once you sign back in.

Troubleshooting

Performance Is Still Poor After Following All Steps

• Check your disk health using wmic diskdrive get status from an elevated Command Prompt. A failing drive can cause extreme slowdowns.
• Confirm you have at least 10–15% free space on your system drive (usually C:). Low disk space affects performance significantly.
• Consider whether your machine meets the minimum specifications for Windows 11. Older hardware may struggle regardless of optimisation.
• Scan for malware using Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.

A Specific App Keeps Returning to the Background

Some apps (particularly antivirus, backup, and sync tools) are designed to run continuously. If one of these is consuming excessive resources, consider uninstalling it and replacing it with a lighter alternative, or check the app's own settings for options to limit its background activity.

Startup Remains Slow Even After Disabling Items

• Open Settings > Apps > Startup and review the list there as well, as some entries appear in Settings but not in Task Manager.
• Check for scheduled tasks that launch at sign-in by opening taskschd.msc and reviewing the Task Scheduler Library.
• Verify that your antivirus isn't running a full scan at startup, which can delay sign-in considerably.

When to Seek Further Help

If you've worked through this guide and your computer is still running slowly, the issue may be hardware-related (such as a failing drive, insufficient RAM, or an ageing CPU) or caused by a deeper software problem that requires professional diagnosis. Contact our support team with the following information to speed up troubleshooting:

• A description of when the slowness started and any recent changes you made.
• Screenshots of the Processes and Startup tabs in Task Manager.
• The make and model of your computer, plus how much RAM and what type of storage it has.
• Any error messages you've noticed.

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