Overview: Out of the box, Windows 11 comes packed with extra apps, background trackers, and widgets that you probably don't need. These extra features secretly eat up your computer's RAM and processing power. If you want to use your computer for coding, you need that speed back. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to cleaning up Windows 11 and getting your machine ready for web development.

Step 1: Remove Pre-Installed Junk Apps

The easiest way to speed up your computer is to delete the apps that Microsoft and your laptop manufacturer installed without asking you. These are often called "bloatware."

  1. Click the Start Button and open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps on the left menu, then click Installed apps.
  3. Scroll through the list. Click the three dots next to any game (like Candy Crush), trial software, or news app you don't use, and select Uninstall.
Tip: Don't worry about accidentally deleting something important. Windows will not let you uninstall critical system files from this menu.

Step 2: Stop Apps from Starting Automatically

Many apps are set to launch the moment you turn on your computer. This makes your startup time very slow and keeps those apps running secretly in the background.

  1. In the Settings menu, go back to Apps.
  2. Click on Startup at the bottom of the list.
  3. You will see a list of apps. Turn Off the switch for anything you don't need immediately when you turn on your computer (like Spotify, Skype, or game launchers).

Step 3: Turn Off Background Tracking (Telemetry)

Windows 11 constantly sends data about how you use your computer back to Microsoft to serve you targeted ads. Turning this off gives you better privacy and frees up internet and computer speed.

  1. Go to Settings and click on Privacy & security.
  2. Click on Diagnostics & feedback.
  3. Turn off the switch that says Send optional diagnostic data.
  4. Go back one screen, click on General, and turn off all the tracking switches (like "Let apps show me personalized ads").

Step 4: Turn Off the Widgets Board

The news and weather widget board that pops out from the left side of your screen uses a surprisingly large amount of memory, even when you aren't looking at it.

  1. Right-click anywhere on the empty space of your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen).
  2. Select Taskbar settings.
  3. Find the Widgets option and toggle it to Off.

Step 5: Change Your Power Settings for Maximum Speed

By default, laptops try to save battery life by slowing down your computer's brain (the CPU). When you are coding, you want maximum speed, not battery savings.

  1. Click the Start button and type Control Panel, then open it.
  2. Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Power Options.
  3. Look for a plan called High Performance and select it. (You might need to click "Show additional plans" to find it).

Next Steps: Your Machine is Now Dev-Ready

By following these simple steps, you have likely freed up a massive amount of RAM and stopped unnecessary background tasks. Your computer will run cooler, open programs faster, and stop freezing up.

This clean, optimized setup is exactly what you need to start building websites. When you learn full-stack web development, you will need to run databases, local servers, and code editors all at the same time. A bloated computer will struggle to keep up, but your freshly cleaned machine will handle it perfectly.

Now that your computer is ready, it’s time to start coding. Take your optimized machine for a spin and start building real-world applications with our beginner-friendly MERN Stack Tutorials here at TheVSHub.