Quick question, reader: what’s the one bad thing about having a fast computer?
The correct answer: you’re more likely to notice when it starts slowing down. Unfortunately, this can happen due to a variety of factors. These include compatibility issues, hardware problems, malware threats, and so on.
Trying to speed up your computer to make it as smooth as before? Start by following these five simple tips and tweaks!
1. Free up Drive Space
Cleaning up drive space is one of the most efficient ways to speed up a computer. Whether you have an HDD or SSD, filling it up to the brim will affect performance.
If you’re on Windows 10, you can use Storage Sense to fix this issue. Go to Settings > System > Storage, then select Temporary Files. Check the files you don’t mind deleting, then click the Remove Files option.
2. Disable Background Apps
On newer systems, many apps will run in the background even while you’re not using them. Disabling some will make them stop using valuable system resources, improving your performance.
First, head to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps. This will give you a list of all apps that have permission to run in the background. Disable the one you don’t want to see anymore and watch your performance improve!
3. Defragment Your Drive
If your device has an HDD, you can optimize computer performance by defragmenting it. To do this, go to Settings > System > Storage and click Optimize Drives. Select the drive to defragment and click Optimize.
What this does is rearrange the files on your drive to make them more accessible. This should translate into a noticeable performance improvement. The only downside of defragmentation is that can take a while.
4. Scan for Malware
When it comes to how to speed up your computer, a simple malware scan can do wonders. A malware infection can take up a lot of system resources and often makes a device unusable.
To run a malware scan, go to Start > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection. Select Check for Updates, then click the Scan Options under Virus & Threat Protection. Select the full scan and click Scan Now.
If the malware infection has advanced too far, you may need professional help. Services such as datadoctors.com can help you with removing malware or restoring data.
5. Use the Performance Plan
Every Windows system includes different plans for optimizing power usage. To improve computer performance, you’ll want to select the High-performance option.
Go to Settings > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings. Select Show Additional Plans and opt for the High-Performance Power plan. If you’re on a laptop, just click on the battery icon and select Best Performance.
Speed Up Your Computer Today!
As tempting as it can be to replace a slow device, you’re much better off trying to fix it up first. The above tips are a good starting point, but there are plenty of other things you can do to speed up your computer.
Looking for more effective tips in this vein? If so, keep reading our Technology section for more ideas!
