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Start with reversible checks: connect the AC adapter, let active Windows updates finish, check airflow and background activity, then use Windows and MyASUS diagnostics where available. These steps can help identify common causes without deleting personal files. Avoid reset or reinstall options until you have made and verified a separate backup.
First, work out when the laptop is slow
Note whether the slowdown happens at startup, while browsing, under heavy load, or all the time. Record when it began, whether you recently installed software or updates, your Windows version, and the exact ASUS model. A symptom alone does not identify the cause: limited memory or processor capacity, a hard drive rather than an SSD, heat, low system-drive space, background work, and startup apps can all contribute.
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ASUS notes that performance can also depend on whether the laptop is plugged into AC power, and recommends connecting the power supply for optimal performance. Its Windows 11/10 slow-system troubleshooting guide covers the relevant checks, but exact options can vary by model and software version.
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Connect power and clear the airflow
Connect the ASUS AC adapter and disconnect peripherals you are not using. Place the laptop on a hard surface and make sure its air vents are not blocked. High temperatures can reduce performance; if the case is unusually hot or the fans are persistently loud, follow ASUS’s overheating guidance or contact support rather than trying to open or modify the laptop without model-specific instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE – Experience next-level performance with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and featuring DLSS 4 and Max-Q technologies.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
- PREMIUM ROG NEBULA DISPLAY – Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with the ultra-fast 240Hz/3ms display ideal for gaming, creation, and entertainment. Featuring a new ACR film that enhances contrast and reduces glare.
- STATE-OF-THE-ART ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – ROG’s advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet and comfortable. State of the art cooling equals best in class performance. Featuring an end-to-end vapor chamber, tri-fan technology and Conductonaut extreme liquid metal applied to the chipset delivers fast gameplay.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FULL-SURROUND RGB LIGHTBAR – Showcase your style with a full-surround RGB light bar that syncs with your keyboard and ROG peripherals. In professional settings, Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, refined look.
Let active updates and scans finish
Check Windows Update for a download or installation in progress and look for a pending restart. Also consider antivirus scans, large downloads, and other apps doing substantial work. ASUS recommends allowing an active update to finish before trying other performance changes. If the laptop remains slow after the activity ends and any required restart, continue with the checks below.
Run MyASUS System Diagnosis if available
Open MyASUS and look for System Diagnosis, then run the available checks and review any suggested next steps. Not every ASUS model supports every MyASUS feature; availability can depend on device support and drivers. ASUS describes the feature in its MyASUS System Diagnosis guide. If the app is absent or the diagnosis points to a hardware issue, do not assume a Windows setting will fix it.
Rank #2
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Life Handle work, play, and entertainment on Windows 11 with speed and ease, thanks to its Intel Core 7 150U CPU, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, and fast WiFi 6.
- Clearly Superior Display Enjoy bright, sharp visuals on a slim-bezel NanoEdge display with wide viewing angles and TÜV Rheinland eye-care certification to reduce eye strain.
- Immersive, Balanced Sound Experience clear, rich, and full audio with a system tuned by SonicMaster, delivering wider and deeper sound for movies, music, and games.
- ASUS ErgoSense Keyboard with Numeric Keys Type comfortably with an ErgoSense keyboard designed for optimal key bounce and travel, plus built-in numeric keys for easier data entry during everyday work.
- Charge with Speed Vivobook 17 supports fast charging which allows you to charge a low battery to 60% in as little as 49 minutes, so you can be up and running quicker than ever!
Reduce unnecessary startup and background work
Use instructions for your Windows version because the labels and paths can differ. Microsoft’s Windows performance guide discusses startup apps, background activity, malware checks, visual effects, and storage as troubleshooting targets.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Review startup apps: Disable only apps you recognize and do not need to start automatically. Keep security software and anything required for hardware or accessibility features enabled unless you understand the consequences.
- Review background permissions: Restrict activity only for apps you know do not need to work in the background. The exact controls depend on Windows version and app type.
- Uninstall selectively: Remove an app only if you recognize it and know it is nonessential. Avoid removing ASUS utilities, drivers, or unfamiliar system components as a speed experiment.
- Check for malware: Run a scan with your installed security software if malware is a plausible cause. Avoid installing multiple security tools to investigate the same issue.
- Consider visual effects: Windows offers visual-effects settings that may reduce the work required to draw animations and effects. This changes appearance, not the laptop’s underlying hardware capacity.
Free disk space without deleting files you want
A nearly full system drive can affect performance and functionality. Windows Storage settings and Storage Sense can help remove temporary or otherwise unwanted files; ASUS also documents temporary-file cleanup in its insufficient-storage guidance. Before confirming any cleanup, inspect the categories Windows has selected.
Rank #3
- Striking 15.6-inch FHD Display — Brings visuals to life with a 250-nit sustained brightness and 45% NTSC color gamut
- Reliable AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Processor — An efficient processor that delivers reliable performance for multitasking, browsing, and light gaming with 4 cores and 8 threads
- Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics — Enjoy sharp, detailed images and smooth video playback for everyday computing tasks
- Easy Productivity With 8GB Of Memory and 256GB Of Essential Storage — Experience reliable performance for the modern everyday, whether you’re watching movies, shopping or browsing. Save files quickly and store necessary data
- Up To 11 Hours Of Battery Life — With an efficient 42Wh battery 1, minimize charging downtime while maximizing your productivity and relaxation — anytime, anywhere
- Check Downloads and the Recycle Bin carefully: they may contain files you still need.
- Review synced content before removing it. Depending on the service and action, deletion can affect more than the local copy.
- Do not delete personal files just because a generic cleanup checklist suggests it. Move files you want to keep to a safe destination instead.
Moving files to an external USB drive or SD card is an option, not a requirement for Windows cleanup. Cleanup reclaims space; it is not a backup. Keep a separate copy of important files before taking recovery actions.
Know what each recovery option does before using it
These options are not interchangeable. In particular, a recovery USB is not a personal-file backup, and a reinstall can erase data.
Rank #4
- 【Incredible performance】: Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 512GB SSD, this laptop is designed to provide an ultrafast and smooth experience
- 【Fast charging battery】: ASUS fast-charge technology can recharge the battery up to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes, allowing you to quickly top it up without interrupting your workflow
- 【Extra toughness and durability】: This laptop stays cool in all situations thanks to ASUS IceCool thermal technology, and meets US military-grade standards for longevity and sustainability
- 【Effortless typing experience】: The precisely measured and fine-tuned ErgoSense keyboard design reduces strain on your hands and wrists
- 【Smooth video call experience】: AI Noise-Canceling Technology isolates unwanted noise for smooth communications
| Option | Effect on personal files | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Storage cleanup | Removes only the categories you select; inspect them first. | Can free system-drive space but is not a backup. Take care with Downloads, Recycle Bin, and synced content. |
| System Restore | ASUS says personal files are not affected. | Requires an existing restore point. It removes recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that may have caused the problem. |
| Windows recovery drive | Does not back up personal files. | ASUS specifies an empty USB flash drive of at least 16 GB to create one; creation erases files already on that USB drive. |
| Recovery reinstall using the recovery drive | Removes personal files, installed apps, drivers, and settings. | Back up and verify personal files separately before proceeding. |
ASUS explains the recovery-drive process and its consequences in its Windows recovery drive guide. If the problem began recently and a restore point exists, System Restore may be worth considering before a reinstall. Do not confuse that option with resetting or reinstalling Windows.
Back up and verify before any reset or reinstall
Make a separate copy of the files you cannot replace before starting a reset or reinstall, then verify that the copy opens from its destination. ASUS’s laptop FAQ identifies File History, MyASUS ASUS Switch, and OneDrive as possible backup approaches; ASUS’s storage guidance also names Dropbox and ASUS Secure Auto-Backup. Availability and service terms vary, so check the option you choose. See the ASUS laptop FAQ for its backup references.
Best Value
- Intel Processor Up to 2.80GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage
- 15" FHD IPS Display, Intel UHD Graphics
- 1x USB Type C, 1 x USB Type A, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, HDMI
- Fast WiFi and Bluetooth, Integrated Webcam
- Chrome OS, AC Charger Included, Pastel Silver
Do not treat a recovery drive, Storage Sense, or a restore point as a substitute for that verified file copy. If you cannot confirm that your backup contains the files you need, postpone a destructive recovery action.
When to contact ASUS or seek repair
If the laptop remains slow after active updates finish and you have checked power, airflow, background load, startup apps, and available disk space, consult ASUS support—especially if MyASUS reports a problem. Persistent overheating, unusual shutdowns, or other hardware symptoms also warrant support. For upgrades such as adding memory or replacing a drive, confirm compatibility for the exact ASUS model first; these general checks do not establish which parts your laptop supports.
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