Just Bought a New Laptop and It’s Slow? Here’s Why and How to Fix It [2025 Guide]

A 2D digital graphic showing a laptop with the word “SLOW” on the screen and the headline “New Laptop Slow?” above it, designed as a visual guide for troubleshooting performance issues in new laptops.

Just Bought a New Laptop and It’s Slow? Here’s Why and How to Fix It [2025 Guide]

Did your brand new laptop feel slow right after unboxing it? You’re not alone. Many users experience unexpected lag or sluggish performance even with newly purchased PCs.

In this article, we’ll explain the common reasons why a new laptop may feel slow and what you can do to fix it. All tips are beginner-friendly and require no special tools.

Common Causes and Fixes for a Slow New Laptop

Cause 1: Pre-installed bloatware and trial software

Many new laptops come with unnecessary trial software or manufacturer apps that run in the background and slow down your system.

Fix: Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and uninstall apps you don’t need. You can also use tools like “PC Manager” (for some brands) to simplify this process.

Tip: Trial antivirus software can cause performance issues and persistent popups. If you’re planning to install another antivirus, uninstall the pre-installed one first.

Cause 2: Background updates and system indexing

Windows may be downloading updates or indexing files in the background, which can slow down your PC temporarily.

Fix: Wait 10–15 minutes and let Windows finish the background tasks. You can also check Task Manager for any resource-heavy processes.

Tip: It’s a good idea to restart your PC after the initial setup and let it sit idle for a while to complete setup processes.

Cause 3: Power-saving mode enabled

New laptops may ship in power-saving mode to preserve battery life, which reduces performance.

Fix: Go to Settings → System → Power & battery and switch to “Best performance.” This will boost CPU speed but use more battery.

Note: On some models, performance settings can also be changed via the brand’s utility software (like Lenovo Vantage or HP Command Center).

Cause 4: Low-speed SSD or limited read/write performance

Some affordable laptops use low-end SSDs or eMMC storage that can feel slow during tasks like file transfers or app installations.

Fix: Keep your system drive (C:) at least 20% free and avoid installing large apps right after the first boot. If your PC supports it, consider upgrading to a faster SSD in the future.

💡 Upgrade Tip: Improve Speed with an SSD

If your laptop still uses a traditional hard drive (HDD), upgrading to an SSD can dramatically boost performance. It’s one of the most effective ways to speed up a sluggish new PC.

👉 Recommended SSDs:
🇺🇸 Check on Amazon (US)
🇩🇪 Check on Amazon (Germany)

Bonus Tip: Use the built-in “Storage Sense” tool to automatically clean temporary files and free up space.

Summary: What You Should Check First

Check ItemSuggested Action
Unwanted appsUninstall from Settings
Background tasksLet Windows finish updates
Performance modeSwitch to “Best performance”
Storage spaceFree up disk space

Optional: Use Tools to Speed Things Up

If you’re still experiencing slowness, try these

・ Update all drivers via Windows Update
・ Run built-in Troubleshooters (Settings → System → Troubleshoot)
・ Use “Disk Cleanup” or a reliable cleanup tool

Final Thoughts

A new laptop should feel fast and smooth. If not, don’t worry—most of the time it’s due to simple software settings or pre-installed tools. Use the tips above to optimize your experience and enjoy your new PC.

We hope this guide was helpful! For more beginner-friendly PC tips, check out our full collection:


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