Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 Pro is a popular laptop with excellent price-performance ratio, but even it eventually begins to slow down. The reasons can vary from a clogged system to outdated BIOS firmware. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to accelerate, from basic Windows settings to hardware modifications.
It’s important to understand that the RedmiBook 8 Pro came in different configurations: from Intel Core i5-11300H to Ryzen 7 5800H, with SSD 256 GB or 512 GB. Optimization methods will work on all versions, but the effectiveness depends on the hardware. For example, replacing the SSD with NVMe with PCIe 4.0 will increase speed by 30%, and cleaning up autoboot will only 5-10%.
1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and unnecessary programs
The first thing to do is free up disk space and remove programs that are loading the processor. RedmiBook 8 Pro often comes with pre-installed software from Xiaomi (such as Mi Bluetooth or Xiaomi Cloud) that runs in the background and eats up resources.
How to check what is stopping the system:
- 🔍 Open the Task Manager (Ctrl)+Shift+Esc) → Sort by CPU load and memory.
- 🗑️ Go to the settings. → System system → Memory and see which files take up the most space (usually WinSxS, Temp or browser cache).
- 📦 Use utilities like CCleaner or BleachBit for deep cleaning (but don’t delete Windows files without confirmation!).
A critical mistake many users make is to manually delete files from the System32 or WinSxS folder, which will cause the system to crash! Instead, use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility (cleanmgr in the command line) or command:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStoreRemove unnecessary programs from autoboot | Clear browser cache (Chrome, Edge) | Delete temporary files via cleanmgr| Disable unnecessary services (e.g. Xbox Game Bar) | Check for viruses (Malwarebytes or Kaspersky)
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2. Optimize Windows 11/10 for maximum performance
By default, Windows is set to be “universal” rather than speed. For the RedmiBook 8 Pro, with its 16GB of RAM and fast SSD, you can sacrifice visuals for performance.
Main settings:
- ⚡ Go to the settings. → System system → About the programme → Additional system parameters → Speed. Choose to deliver the best performance.
- 🖥️ Turn off transparency in the Start menu: Options → Personalization → Colors. → Effects of transparency.
- 🔄 Turn off File Types and Protocols in Settings → Annexes → Default applications (this will speed up file opening).
- 🛑 Stop background apps from working in the background: Options → Confidentiality → Background applications.
For advanced users, disable Superfetch (aka SysMain) and Windows Search through Services.msc. This will increase the speed on HDD, but on SSD the effect is minimal.
Windows 11|Windows 10|Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.)|Another.
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3. Driver and BIOS updates: why it's critical
Outdated drivers are one of the main causes of brakes, especially the chipset driver, graphics card (in RedmiBook 8 Pro it is NVIDIA GeForce MX450 or built-in graphics Intel Iris Xe) and power management.
How to update drivers correctly:
- Download the latest versions from the official sites: Intel (for processors and chipset), NVIDIA (for discrete graphics) Xiaomi (for laptop management utilities)
DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
MIUI+ for PC
Attention! BIOS updates are risky. If your laptop turns off during firmware, the motherboard may fail. Before upgrading your BIOS, turn off all peripherals, connect your laptop to the network, and make sure the battery is at least 50 percent charged.
| Component | Current version | The latest version (for 2026) | Download link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOS | 1.07 or lower | 1.12 (from 15.05.2026) | Official website |
| Chipset Driver (Intel) | 10.1.18xxx | 10.1.45019.8121 | Intel Download Center |
| NVIDIA GeForce MX450 | 472.xx | 551.86 (Game Ready) | NVIDIA |
4.Operation and power management: how to squeeze the most out of the processor
The RedmiBook 8 Pro is equipped with 11th-generation Intel or AMD Ryzen 5000 processors that support dynamic overclocking (Turbo Boost for Intel and Precision Boost for AMD). By default, the laptop runs in Balanced mode, which limits performance to save energy.
How to turn on maximum performance:
- ⚡ Go to the Control Panel. → Power supply and select High Performance scheme.
- 🔧 For fine-tuning, use ThrottleStop (for Intel) or Ryzen Controller (for Intel). AMD). These utilities allow:
- ❄️ Watch the temperatures! if the laptop overheats (above 90)°C, overclocking will only make things worse. Use HWMonitor to monitor.
What is Undervolting and why is it needed?
Attention! Overclocking and changing the voltage can cause overheating, system failures, or even CPU failure. If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better leave the default settings.
5 Hardware Improvements: What Can Be Replaced in RedmiBook 8 Pro
If the software methods don't work, you can upgrade the hardware. In RedmiBook 8 Pro, you can replace:
- 💾 SSD: The factory is PCIe. 3.0 x4 (for example, WD SN530). Replacement with PCIe 4.0 (for example, Samsung 980 Pro) will speed up the system load and work with files on 20-30%.
- 🧊 Thermopaste: Factory paste dries through 1-2 We recommend Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Arctic. MX-6.
- 🔋 RAM: In most configurations, it is 16 GB DDR4-3200 Adding a second module (up to) 32 GB) will speed up multitasking.
The cost of the upgrade (for 2026):
| Component | A replacement model | Productivity gains | Cost (₽) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD | Samsung 980 Pro 1TB (PCIe 4.0) | +30% read/write speed | 12 000 — 14 000 |
| RAM | Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 (2x8GB) | +15% in multitasking | 5 000 — 6 500 |
| thermopaste | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut | -10°C under load | 800 — 1 200 |
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Before you replace your SSD, back up your data! Use Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla to clone the drive to a new drive. This will save all settings and programs.
6. Alternative OS: Should I Switch to Linux?
If Windows is slowing down even after all the optimizations, you might consider switching to Linux. Distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Manjaro require less resources and often run faster on older hardware.
Pros and cons:
- ✅ Pluses:
- ❌ Cons:
How to try Linux without installing it:
- Download the image of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS from the official website.
- Create a bootable flash drive through Rufus or BalenaEtcher.
- Boot from the flash drive in Live CD mode (without installation on the disk).
- Test the performance and compatibility of the equipment.
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Linux is good for office tasks, programming, and web surfing, but not for games or professional software. If you need AutoCAD, 1C, or Adobe Premiere, stay on Windows.
7.Prevention: How to Prevent Future Brakes
To RedmiBook 8 Pro does not slow down in the future, follow the simple rules:
- 🧹 Clean the system from garbage once a month (cleanmgr) + Dism).
- 🔄 Update drivers and Windows (but don’t install optional updates).
- 🛡️ Use a lightweight antivirus (e.g. Windows Defender) + Malwarebytes).
- 🌡️ Watch the temperatures: clean the cooler every 6 months (you can vacuum at minimum power).
- 🔋 Don't keep your laptop on a charge all the time, it's ruining your battery: 20-80%.
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If your laptop is getting too hot, check the cooler. RedmiBook 8 Pro often gets dusted with the radiator because of the dense housing. Use compressed air or contact the service to clean it.