Slow laptop? 7 steps to try before paying a repair shop or buying new
A slow laptop is rarely “broken”. Usually the drive is full, too many programs start with Windows, or it still has an old spinning hard drive. You can fix most of this yourself.
- Biggest speed-up
- replacing an HDD with an SSD
- Time
- 30–60 minutes
- Upgrade at a repair shop
- 150–450 zł (SSD, RAM, moving your system over)
Before you start cleaning up or resetting the system, back up your important files to a USB stick, an external drive or the cloud.
Step by step
Turn off startup programs
Windows: Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Task Manager → Startup tab. Disable everything you don't need right after turning the laptop on (messengers, game launchers, updaters). Mac: System Settings → General → Login Items.
Free up disk space
When less than 10–15% of the system drive is free, the system slows down noticeably. Run “Disk Cleanup” (Windows) and delete large unused files from Downloads and the Desktop.
Check what drive you have
Windows: Task Manager → Performance → Disk (it says HDD or SSD). If it's an HDD, meaning a spinning drive, that's the main bottleneck. Switching to an SSD cuts startup from 2–3 minutes to a dozen or so seconds.
Check how much RAM you have
Task Manager → Performance → Memory. With 4 GB, modern Windows and a browser will struggle. 8 GB is the minimum and 16 GB is comfortable. Many laptops let you add RAM, but in some it's soldered on permanently.
Update the system and drivers
Updates improve performance and security. Run Windows Update and your laptop maker's app (drivers, BIOS).
Scan the computer
Malware and crypto miners can eat most of your computer's power. The built-in Microsoft Defender with a full scan is enough.
Do a clean start if nothing helps
As a last resort, resetting the system to factory settings (Settings → System → Recovery) can work wonders. Remember to back up your files first.
- The drive makes clicking or grinding noises. Back up your data right away.
- The laptop freezes with a blue screen (BSOD) or restarts by itself.
- CrystalDiskInfo shows the drive health as “Caution” or “Bad”.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| 500 GB–1 TB SSD (part only) | 150–350 zł |
| SSD installation + moving the system at a repair shop | 100–200 zł |
| Adding RAM (part + installation) | 100–300 zł |
| Clean system install | 100–200 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
If your laptop has a processor from the last 6–7 years, an SSD and 16 GB of RAM for approx. 300–450 zł will give it several more years of smooth use. That's several times cheaper than a new laptop. With very old processors (for example from before 2016), an upgrade may no longer be worth it.
Check if your laptop is worth upgrading
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
Will defragmenting speed up my laptop?
Only on an HDD, and not by much. Windows does it automatically in the background. You should never defragment an SSD.
Do “booster” or “cleaner” programs help?
Rarely, and they often slow the system down and show ads. The built-in Windows tools are more than enough.
How much RAM do I need in 2026?
8 GB for browsing and office apps, 16 GB for comfortable work with many tabs and programs, 32 GB for video editing and gaming.