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A slow laptop can be really annoying. Whether you’re working, surfing or gaming – if the computer stutters or takes forever to load, productivity decreases. In this article, we’ll show you how to get your laptop back up to speed with simple steps and a little technical know-how.
Statement from Notebook-Doktor: “Before you start screwing around – check the real causes”
Before you start deleting programs or replacing hardware at random, you should first do a clean system analysis. In our workshop, we often see that supposedly “defective” laptops often run top again simply by taking simple software and maintenance measures.
The typical causes for a slow laptop from our experience are:
- Too many autostart programs: start with Windows and slow down the system before you even work.
- Full or old SSD/HDD: little free memory or old HDD often cause long loading times.
- Overheating & dust: clogged fans lead to heat accumulation and thus to CPU throttling (Thermal Throttling).
- Too little RAM: Under Windows 11, 16 GB of RAM is the sensible minimum today – systems quickly reach their limits below that.
- Overloaded Windows: After years of installations, updates and residual entries, a complete reinstallation is often the only way to free the system from ballast.
Clean up autostart programs
Many programs start automatically with Windows, even though you rarely need them. With a targeted cleanup, you can significantly speed up the system startup and improve overall performance.
How to disable unnecessary autostart programs:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Switch to the “Autostart” tab.
- Sort by “Start impact” to immediately see which programs have the greatest impact on boot time.
- Specifically deactivate everything you don’t need every day – for example, Dropbox, Skype, Updater, cloud clients, chat tools or printer software.
Result: Shorter boot time and faster desktop starts.
With this approach, you create space in the RAM and significantly speed up your system startup. Many programs that are automatically activated during installation run in the background and thus slow down not only the system startup, but also the overall performance.
Tip from practice: Services such as “Intel Graphics Command Center” or “Audio Manager” are often uncritical, but can be deactivated if no special functions are required.
SSD is not the same as SSD – the crucial differences for tuning
Meanwhile, an SSD is standard in almost every laptop. For real performance tuning, however, it counts which SSD technology is installed:
- SATA SSD: Works via the older SATA interface (max. approx. 550 MB/s). Solid base, but exhausted – hardly any potential for real speed upgrades.
- M.2 SATA SSD: Same data throughput as SATA, only more compact form factor. No speed gain – more of a space and design question.
- M.2 NVMe SSD: Significantly faster thanks to PCIe connection (several GB/s). If your laptop supports this slot, this is the only real SSD tuning with noticeable acceleration.
In short: SATA or M.2 SATA → “solid base” • NVMe → “real turbo”.
For maximum effect when upgrading, check whether your motherboard is PCIe/NVMe-capable – this decides on the performance jump.
At ipc-computer.de you will find suitable SSDs for your notebook model, including installation instructions or optional repair service via notebook-doktor.de.
Install more RAM
If the laptop rattles with the new Windows 11 (high utilization), more RAM is the best upgrade.
Here’s how to tell if it’s worth it:
- Task Manager → “Performance” → Check RAM
- If almost 100% constantly → expand RAM
- 4 or 8 GB is too little for Windows 11
Tip from practice: 16 GB RAM is standard – 32 GB is really fun
Here you can buy memory upgrades for your laptop right away –
Clean the cooling system and check the thermal paste – why dust slows down the laptop
A common, underestimated reason for slow laptops is heat. If dust and lint accumulate in the fan or on the cooling fins over time, the warm air can no longer be properly dissipated. The result: The temperature rises, especially for the CPU and graphics unit.
So that the components do not overheat, the system automatically throttles the clock frequency – this is called Thermal Throttling. The laptop becomes noticeably slower, programs react sluggishly and even simple tasks take longer.
Typical signs:
- The fan runs permanently loud or at the highest level
- The case gets hot, especially in the area of the palm rest
- Sudden performance drops or short jerks under load
How to remedy this:
- Regularly clean the cooling system – remove dust from the fan and cooling fins
- If necessary, renew the thermal paste between the processor and the cooler (it ensures optimal heat transfer)
- Make sure not to damage any sensitive lines or sensors
Our tip from the workshop: Even a simple fan cleaning can reduce the temperature under load by 10–20 °C – this is often enough for your laptop to unleash its full performance again. Link to the price list
Reduce background services and visual effects
How to switch:
- Right-click on This PC → Properties → Advanced System Settings → Performance → “Adjust for optimal performance”
- Deactivate all unnecessary animations
This saves memory and computing power – ideal for older laptops.
Optimize energy options
By default, Windows often runs in energy saving mode, even on the power supply.
How to activate full power:
- Control Panel → Energy Options → “Maximum Performance”
- For gaming laptops: use manufacturer-specific tools (e.g. Lenovo Vantage, ASUS Armoury Crate)
Professional tip: Reinstallation or workshop check
If you’ve tried everything and the laptop is still slow, a reinstallation of Windows 11 can work wonders –
We are happy to carry out the installation in our workshop – simply commission the installation here – Link
Do you want to know which upgrade will speed up your laptop the most?
We check your system and get your laptop running smoothly again, send your device to the Notebook-Doktor – we’ll take care of the rest
FAQ about notebook tuning
1. How do I know if my laptop has a hardware or software problem?
If your notebook remains slow despite a new installation or empty autostart, the cause is usually in the hardware – such as too little RAM, an old SATA SSD or thermal problems. If, on the other hand, the system becomes sluggish over time, Windows or an overloaded software configuration is often to blame. A short check by the Notebook-Doktor quickly provides clarity here.
2. Does a RAM upgrade really do anything for notebook tuning?
Yes – more RAM ensures noticeably smoother multitasking and less swapping to the SSD. Especially with Windows 11, 16 GB of RAM is a sensible standard today, especially for Office, browser and multimedia. For professional use (CAD, video, VMs), it can easily be 32 GB or more.
3. When is it worth switching from SATA SSD to NVMe SSD?
If your laptop has a PCIe/NVMe slot, the upgrade is clearly recommended. NVMe SSDs achieve up to five times higher transfer rates than SATA models and noticeably shorten loading, starting and copying times. The performance gain is particularly visible for computing-intensive tasks – rather moderate for Office and web.
4. Why is my laptop still slow despite SSD and lots of RAM?
In many cases, heat is the hidden enemy. If dust blocks fans and cooling fins, the CPU temperature rises and the system throttles automatically. This leads to performance drops, even though the hardware would actually be strong enough. Cleaning and fresh thermal paste often work wonders.
5. How often should you perform notebook tuning or system maintenance?
An annual check is ideal, half-yearly for heavy users or gaming laptops. The fan is cleaned, thermal paste is checked, software is optimized and BIOS and driver updates are installed if necessary. This keeps your system quiet, cool and permanently powerful.
🔧 Professional tip from the Notebook-Doktor:
A targeted tuning does not replace a repair – but it significantly extends the life of your notebook. Those who regularly clean, optimize and update save themselves expensive new purchases in the end.
