Tech & Software

How to Speed Up Windows 11 & Clear Hidden Cache Files

David Sterling
Co-authored by David Sterling, Executive Speech & Communications Coach Keynote speech consultant for Fortune 500 executives and TEDx speakers. • 5 References Tested
Optimize your Windows 11 PC performance, free up disk space, disable startup bloatware, and tune virtual memory with this comprehensive step-by-step tutorial.

Disabling High-Impact Startup Programs

1

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Review the startup impact column in Task Manager.
Navigate to the "Startup Apps" tab on the left sidebar. This panel shows all software that launches automatically when your computer powers on.
2

Disable unnecessary third-party updaters and launchers.

Disable unnecessary third-party updaters and launchers. Disabling startup apps cuts boot time in half.
Right-click apps with a "High impact" rating (such as game launchers, Spotify, or cloud sync tools) and select "Disable". Do not disable essential audio or security drivers.

Purging Temporary Storage & System Cache

1

Run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense.

Run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense. Select and clean temporary Windows system files.
Press Win + R, type "cleanmgr", and hit Enter. Check Temporary Files, DirectX Shader Cache, and Thumbnails, then click OK to safely delete gigabytes of junk.

Community Q&A

2 Questions
Q: How long does this process typically take for beginners?
Expert & Community Answer: For first-time learners, this guide takes about 10-15 minutes to complete carefully. Once you become familiar with the steps, you can finish it in under 5 minutes.
Q: Are there any special tools or software required?
Expert & Community Answer: No complex equipment is needed. Everything outlined in the step-by-step instructions can be done with standard tools and materials described above.
Expert & Community Tips
  • SSD Optimization Tip: If your Windows is installed on an SSD, avoid defragmenting it. Use the Windows "Trim" feature instead.
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About This Article

David Sterling
Co-authored by:

David Sterling

Executive Speech & Communications Coach

This article was co-authored by David Sterling and by ajkeritshop staff writer, Hunter Rising. David Sterling is a geography, flags, and global travel content creator based in North Carolina. With over a year of experience creating content as Enchanted Escapes on social media, they are known for creating a variety of geography, travel, and aviation content. David Sterling has built a following of over 120k followers on TikTok and 28k followers on Instagram. They have a master's in business administration.
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