Having a slow laptop can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of something important. If your laptop has become sluggish or unresponsive, there are several things you can do to try and speed it up. In this article, we’ll review some simple tips that will help get your laptop running faster and more efficiently.
Delete unnecessary files
Unnecessary files on your computer can quickly add up and result in a lot of clutter. And while this might not visibly affect the performance of your computer, having too many irrelevant files stored can create issues like slowing down file searches, congestion in backup and syncing processes, and even diminished disk space.
Therefore, it is important to regularly prune away any unnecessary files taking up space on your hard drive. This process includes deleting old projects from folders you no longer need them in, getting rid of large audio/video files that are no longer needed and emptying out the recycle bin afterwards. By doing this consistently you remain aware of exactly what’s on there so you don’t have to worry about accidentally deleting something important. It is also worth noting that HDDs run at peak speed until they hit a capacity percentage of 90%. After this milestone, their performance gradually starts to decrease and therefore keeping an eye on how much free storage space remains is essential for optimal performance levels.
Remove unused programs from your device
Uninstalling unnecessary programs you don’t use is a great way to free up disk space on your computer. We often download and install software without really thinking about how much storage it takes up, but if you find yourself struggling for hard-drive space then this is the first place to check.
Heading into Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features will give you a good overview of all your installed applications. Additionally, if unsure about certain applications, just search the internet to find out more about them before deciding whether or not to uninstall. It’s also possible that certain programs can be reinstalled when needed instead of remaining stored on the computer all the time – this is particularly useful for larger programs that are used only sporadically. Uninstall programs you don’t need today and breathe life back into your system!
Run a disk cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a feature found in Windows that allows users to quickly and easily delete old, unused files from their devices. To use the tool, go to Control Panel and select Administrative Tools. From there, choose Disk Cleanup under the list of available programs located in the System and Security section. From here, you can select the types of files you want removed from your device like Temporary Files, System Error Memory Dump Files or Recycle Bin Items. Doing this manually ensures that no unnecessary data will be left on the computer after cleaning up.
For those who don’t want the hassle of manually running disk cleanups, there are software packages that do it for them in a much more efficient manner. Iolo System Mechanic is an example of such software that will scan through the computer for any junk files unnecessarily taking up space on the hard drive and then it deletes them automatically. So instead of periodically having to run Disk Cleanup tools every few days or weeks, you can have a software installed in your system to do it all for you.
Defragment your hard drive
Defragmenting your hard drive is an important part of keeping your computer running smoothly. Over time, files become fragmented – broken into smaller pieces that are held in different locations on the hard drive. When this happens, the computer needs to search several different places for all the needed pieces, which can slow it down significantly. Windows 10, 8 and 7 can automate defragmenting on a set schedule, with the default being once per week, but you may want to go in and manually run it if you’re concerned about performance issues.
It’s important to note that only computers using traditional mechanical Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) benefit from defragmentation; if your computer uses a Solid State Drive (SSD), there’s no need to defragment. SSDs don’t suffer from fragmentation in the same way that HDDs do since they don’t have any moving parts or sectors like HDDs do; instead, they store data more or less randomly across their storage mediums. So as long as you have an HDD in your machine, make sure to keep up with regularly scheduled defragging – it should help keep things humming along nicely.
Check for malware
Malware refers to harmful programs that can damage a computer. It’s unsettling that such malicious software can come from such seemingly harmless things, such as email links, software downloads, and even ads. Malware can cause permanent damage to one’s system as well as making it run slow. Antivirus software provides protection against malicious programs and other potential threats.
It’s important that everyone take the necessary steps to adequately protect their computer with anti-virus software – and even better if one doesn’t have to spend a penny on it! There are plenty of solid free options available online; Avira’s free tool is a particularly great option because it not only catches and removes any malware found but also includes tune up tools too. With its strong protection and additional built in features, this tool is definitely a winner in our book! Keeping our computers malware-free should be on top of everyone’s priorities – get protected today!
Upgrade your hardware
Upgrading your hardware is one of the best and most reliable ways to improve computer performance. Newer components such as faster processors, higher quality graphics cards, and more RAM can result in huge improvements in speed and capabilities. Additionally, upgrading to an SSD hard drive can improve both read/write speeds and boot times significantly in comparison to a traditional HDD.
When looking into hardware upgrades for your computer, you should consider all of the available options and determine which upgrade will get you closer to reaching your intended goals. For example, if you plan on running resource-hungry applications, adding additional RAM or a better graphics card might be the right decision. On the other hand, if you simply need faster loading times or better multitasking performance then an SSD might be beneficial. Furthermore, you may even think about upgrading the CPU if you are planning on doing serious work with video or 3D rendering software. Ultimately it is important factor what kind of system you need before making any major decisions regarding hardware upgrades.
Restart your browser
If your browser is the window to the internet that you have been peeking through, but it’s not performing as snappy as you’d expect, there are few easy solutions that can help restore it back to top speed. The most straightforward of these is to simply close your browser, and then restart it again – this forces any sluggish processes to be broken up, allowing everything in your browser to be refreshed and generally sped up. This often works wonders for improving overall performance.
You may also want to consider installing some special software designed specifically with speeding up your web browsing in mind. Adblockers such as Adblock Plus and uBlock Origin are great at cutting out unwanted ads that can slow down a page load significantly. You should also install trackers blockers on all of your devices (such as Privacy Badger) – these protect you from sites that try and track you over the net without your knowledge or permission. To make sure all of this technology stays up-to-date, you should always check for updates regularly, especially if they become available from their respective developers.
Keep your Windows, drivers, and apps up-to-date
Keeping your software up to date is essential both to protect your computer from security threats and maintain its performance. Windows will send you notifications when an update is available, but don’t let this fall by the wayside. It’s easy to check if you think you’ve missed any updates; simply go to Start and click Settings or the settings icon, then select Update & Security. In addition to checking for updates through your operating system, it’s also important to keep the drivers on your computer up-to-date. Drivers are pieces of software that tell the hardware how to work properly so updating them regularly can help improve your overall system performance. Lastly, keep apps such as browsers, anti-virus programs, email clients etc., up-to-date with the most recent versions as they likely contain important security patches.
In conclusion, knowing how to update and maintain software should be a key component of every PC user’s regular maintenance routine. Keeping Windows updated in addition to other drivers and apps can help ensure that you are taking advantage of the most secure and affective technology available which can also result in improved performance overall.
Disable Graphics and animations
Graphics and animations are an integral part of modern computing, adding visual flair to the user experience. They add elegance and sophistication to many applications these days, but unfortunately they can also reduce your computer’s performance. Many programs enable lots of graphics by default, resulting in slower speeds when your hardware isn’t able to keep up. Thankfully, you can easily change this.
To adjust or disable graphics and animations in most modern Windows versions, go to the Control Panel and then System and Security > System > Advanced system settings. Here, you will find the Performance section with a list of options for Animation usage and Fading effects among other settings – simply untick whatever does not suit your needs at the real time. With this simple change, you should see improved response times from your computer while still being able to enjoy that one-of-a-kind user experience brought by high-quality visuals!
Improve your cooling
The problem of laptops getting too hot during the summer is an all-too-familiar occurrence for many. It not only affects their performance and causes it to slow down, but also poses serious safety risks and can damage components inside. Laptops are equipped with internal cooling systems, such as fans or heatsinks, to prevent overheating and ensure the processor stays within safe temperature limits.
Unfortunately, these cooling systems may not be powerful enough in some more intense workloads, leading to machines reaching their maximum safe operating temperatures and throttling performance to reduce power output and heat production. One way of keeping your laptop cool without having to suffer from compromised performance is by investing in an external cooling pad. These devices sit underneath the laptop, blowing away warm air while drawing in cooler air, enabling the internal components to run at a lower temperature without overworking the fan or reducing other system functions.
Upgrade RAM
RAM is essential when it comes to modern day computing; it helps your computer system run smoothly and allows larger files to be stored and processed quicker. Many people often find themselves frustrated with their computer’s performance because they don’t have enough RAM installed. Luckily, upgrading RAM can be relatively easy if you know where to look.
Modern laptops come in a variety of sizes, from the small netbooks to gaming powerhouses, but all of them need to have enough RAM for their programs and applications to perform quickly. 8GB is now recommended as the minimum amount of RAM you should have installed on your laptop, if possible for better performance. Depending on your laptop’s model, age, and brand, upgrading your RAM may involve merely adding more sticks or swapping them out entirely. For some laptops this can be challenging as the memory is coupled with the motherboards and cannot be adjusted or removed. It’s best to check what type of memory slots are available in a specific laptop before purchasing additional RAM chips. With careful consideration and technical help if needed, you can take advantage of increased RAM capacity in order to get the most out of your computer when running large programs or complicated games.
Disable Cortana
Undoubtedly, Windows 10 is one of the most popular operating systems currently available on the market. A highly sought-after feature of this OS is Cortana, the virtual assistant that assists users with their daily tasks. However, due to its resource-heavy requirements and data collecting operations, some users prefer to disable Cortana completely.
Fortunately, disabling Cortana within the Windows 10 environment isn’t too difficult if you’re willing to make a small edit in your system’s registry. To achieve this goal, you’ll need to use the Run Command prompt from your system’s start menu and enter ‘regedit’ into it before making a few simple tweaks. It’s also worth mentioning that recent versions of Windows 10 have made disabling Cortana a bit more challenging. In addition to these changes, Microsoft has decided that customized searches should still be possible through Bing search even when the virtual assistant is turned off. As such, users should set up stricter privacy settings to ensure their data remains secure.
