make my laptop work fast

Slow laptop? How to make it faster (for free)

Don’t throw out your slow laptop just yet. Try these free fixes to make your laptop faster!

Whether it happens gradually over time or all of a sudden, trying to work with a slow computer can be seriously frustrating. Even if you’re fairly diligent with the maintenance of your laptop or PC, it’s surprising how quickly things slow down. If you’re running Windows 10, 8, or 7 and asking yourself “ Why is my laptop so slow? ” this post is for you!

Thankfully, you don’t have to trade in your computer just yet. In fact, you can take several steps to give it a bit of a boost in the performance department. With some simple decluttering and a few more technical operations, even the slowest computer can return to its old self.

In this post, we reveal 14 things you can do to speed up a slow laptop or PC using Windows 10, 8, or 7. For this article in particular, we’ll be focusing on system performance issues rather than those related to the network you’re using. We’re running Windows 10, so we’ll be using this version for the directions and screenshots. However, any adjustments for Windows 11, 8 and 7 will be noted directly below, if applicable.

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• Removes junk files to free up space
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• Monitors for and fixes over 30,000 known problems that can cause errors or performance issues
• Patches known Windows security vulnerabilities

Iolo has offered Comparitech readers a 70% discount on System Mechanic .

Here’s how to make your laptop faster:

1. Close system tray programs

If your computer is off to a slow start, then it’s possible you have too many programs starting up at the same time as Windows itself. Items in the system tray often launch at startup and then stay running while you use your computer.

To access these items, click the upwards arrow toward the right side of your taskbar.

If there are any programs you don’t need to have running, right-click them and close.

2. Stop programs running on startup

Similar to programs running in the tray, other programs that automatically run on startup can slow down your computer. Some you may actually want to run, such as antivirus software, but others may be unnecessary.

Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager or hit Ctrl-Shift-Escape to launch. Head to the Startup tab and you’ll be able to view each item that runs on startup, along with its impact.

Go through these and decide which ones don’t need to start automatically. This process is especially beneficial to performance if you can disable some of the high impact ones. But note that some of these programs are vital for Windows to operate. For example, the ones with Microsoft listed as the publisher are probably best left alone. If you aren’t sure, either leave it, or try a Google search to find out more.

To disable, simply right-click and hit Disable . Remember, you’re not disabling the program, just the fact that it runs on startup.

Windows 7: Instead of accessing Task Manager , you’ll need to search for System Configuration .

3. Update Windows, drivers, and apps

You’ve probably heard that keeping your software up to date is a good idea for security. This is true and it can help performance too. Windows will automatically send you a notification when an update is available. You just need to make sure you don’t keep putting it off.

If you think you might have missed an update, you can always check. Go to Start and click Settings or the settings icon. Then go to Updates & Security > Windows Updates .

Aside from your Windows operating system, drivers and apps should be kept up to date too. Again, this is good for both security and performance. If you think you might have missed an update, a quick online search should tell you which version you should be using.

4. Delete unnecessary files

Just like our closets and drawers, our computers get cluttered. While you can’t really see it, you know it’s there, and it could be having a negative impact on your computer’s performance. This is especially true if you deal with a lot of large files, such as high-resolution images, audio files, and videos, on a day-to-day basis.

Free up space by making a habit of deleting files and folders each week and emptying the recycle bin afterwards . Doing this regularly means it’s more likely you’ll remember exactly what’s in the files and folders and won’t be so concerned about mistakenly deleting something important.

Handy tip: HDDs usually run at peak speed until they reach roughly 90 percent capacity. So if you check how much space is used up and you’re over 90 percent, that’s probably what’s slowing things down. SSDs slow down more gradually as they fill up, so it’s good to stay on top of things. It’s recommended not to fill an SSD to more than 75 percent of its capacity.

5. Find programs that eat up resources

If you find that your computer is suddenly running significantly slower, chances are there is a particular program to blame. One way to identify the culprit is to go into your task manager and find out what’s eating up your resources.

Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager . Click More details to find out information about the programs that are currently running on your computer. It should show you the Processes tab by default.

You can click each header to sort the list according to which applications are using the most of that particular resource. If you need to close something, try closing the actual application first. If it won’t close, come back to the Task Manager screen, right-click the application, and hit End task .

6. Adjust your power options

Windows comes with several preset ‘power plans’ to suit your needs. The default is set to Balanced , which takes into account performance and energy consumption. But the latter is only really a concern if you’re running off battery or trying to keep the electricity bills down. As such, you may want to change your plan.

As its name suggests, the High performance plan is a better option is your PC is running slow. Although this option uses more energy, it favors performance so should help speed up your machine.

Aside from the standard options, you could choose to create your own custom plan. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Create a power plan . Choose which existing plan you would like to start with, enter a name for your new plan, and select Next .

Basic options include how long the display stays on for when you’re inactive and how long before the computer goes into sleep mode. These won’t really affect your computer’s speed, but if you go into Change advanced power settings , you can make more adjustments that will have an impact.

7. Uninstall programs you don’t use

We often install huge programs without realizing how much space they’re taking up. If you think that might be the case, you can easily uninstall any programs you don’t use. Even if it’s a program you do use now and again, if it’s particularly large, it might be worth simply reinstalling each time you need it.

To uninstall a program, head over to Contro l Panel > Programs > Programs and Features .

Go though the programs and decide which ones, if any, you don’t need. If you’re unsure about a particular program, you could simply use a search engine to find out more. Alternatively, you can also use a tool like the aptly named PC Decrapifier to help you distinguish the good from the bad.

8. Turn Windows features on or off

While you’re in the Programs and Features screen, you might want to check to see if there are any Windows components you don’t need. Click Turn Windows features on or off and you’ll see a list of these components.

Be careful not to turn off anything you actually need. So again, a search for anything you’re unsure about is a good idea.

9. Run a disk cleanup

Windows comes with a built-in tool for cleaning up junk that accumulates over time. To access the Disk Cleanup tool, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools , and select Disk Cleanup from the list.

Here, you can select the types of files you want to get rid of and click OK . Then click Clean up system files and choose any system files you want to remove.

If you’d rather not do this manually, there is software you can purchase to help. For example, Iolo System Mechanic will detect and remove junk files in real time so you don’t have to worry about them.

It has lots of other features designed to boost your computer’s performance such as cleaning up your browsing history, optimizing settings and application processes, and defragmentation (see below). This software currently costs just $14.98 for a one-year subscription .

10. Defragment your hard drive

Over time, files on your hard drive become fragmented. As your computer now has to check in multiple places for the pieces, it can run more slowly. The term ‘defragment’ sounds a little dramatic, but it basically means putting those files back together so your system can run more efficiently.

In fact, it’s something that Windows 10, 8, and 7 do automatically on a set schedule. The default schedule is once per week, but you can go in and manually run it if you suspect there’s an issue.

First, it’s important to note that you only need to do this if your computer uses a traditional mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD). A Solid State Drive (SSD) works differently from an HDD, and there is no need for defragmentation. If you have both, only defragment the HDD.

Go to My Computer and right-click the hard drive (by default named WINDOWS (C:) (though you may have renamed it). Then go to Properties > Tools and under Optimize and defragment drive , click Optimize .

You’ll then get an Optimize Drives screen popup.

Note that in the above screenshot, all of the drives are SSD. These do not need to be defragmented. As in the image, Analyze will be grayed out for SSD drives, but will be available for hard drives.

Select an HDD drive and click Analyze to see how fragmented it is. A good rule of thumb would be to keep it below five percent. If it’s above, you can click Optimize to defragment the disk.

If you have an SSD, you’ll notice Optimize is actually an available option. Clicking it will run the TRIM command, which wipes data that is no longer considered in use.

Windows 7: Look for Disk Defragmenter using the search bar and select an HDD under Current status .

11. Adjust or disable graphics and animations

More recent versions of Windows come with lots of graphics, including animations such as fading effects and flyouts. These help make the application appear more sleek and refined and contribute to a better overall user experience. On the other hand, they can also slow down your computer.

Thankfully, it’s simple to adjust these settings and hopefully save a little processing power. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings . Then, in the Performance section, hit Settings and you’ll have a full list of options.

You can select Adjust for best performance (this will remove all visual effects) or opt to remove some individually. It’s a matter of preference, but fade and shadow features are some you could probably live without.

Windows 7: Search for Performance Information and Tools , select Adjust visual effects , and use the Visual Effects tab.

12. Check for malware

Malware (malicious software) is a broad term used to describe malicious programs that could cause harm to your computer. These may come from various sources, including email links, software downloads, and even ads (malvertisements). Aside from potentially causing permanent damage to your system, some forms of malware can cause your computer to run slow .

Having good antivirus software installed can help protect against malware, as well as other threats. Some solid free options are available , so you don’t need to spend a penny.

We particularly recommend Avira’s free tool , which scans for and removes malware and includes tuneup tools. This means it will protect your data and speed up your PC at the same time.

If you’re willing to pay a fee for your antivirus software, we recommend Norton , TotalAV , or McAfee .

If you suspect malware is already affecting your computer, you can check for it using a scanner such as Zemana AntiMalware . You can then remove it using a removal tool like Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit . We’ve tested both of these products and were very satisfied with the results.

13. Disable Cortana

While the Windows 10 digital assistant, Cortana, is a handy feature, it uses up a lot of resources and also poses a privacy threat. Cortana used to be easily removed but in the up-to-date versions, it’s a little trickier. Nonetheless, if you’re willing to make an edit to your system’s registry , it can be done.

14. Upgrade your hardware

If you’ve tried all of the tricks above, it might be time to invest in some new hardware. Here are a couple of things you may want to consider putting some money into:

• Add an SSD: While HDDs offer more space for a lower price, adding an SSD can make your computer load programs and write files much faster.
• Add more RAM: If you have an older system, it may have too little memory to run modern applications efficiently. What’s more, if you use a lot of programs simultaneously, you might not have enough Random Access Memory (RAM) to carry you through. Installing more RAM  could give you the boost you need.

15. Restart your browser

If your computer is experiencing particularly slow speeds when you use the internet, it could simply be that your browser has become a bit clogged up. Don’t forget that your browser is your gateway to the internet, so if it starts loading pages very slowly, you could be left scratching your head.

To solve this issue quickly, simply try closing down your browser and restarting it. This may be enough to give the browser a refresh and get your internet back up to full speed. If pages are loading sluggishly, you may also want to install an adblocker (such as Adblock Plus) and a tracker blocking extensions (such as Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin).

To keep your browser working as efficiently and quickly as possible, you will also want to check that it is up-to-date. If all else fails, you could decide to uninstall and re-install your browser to give it a fresh start. Alternatively, you may want to try removing the cookies and clearing the cache in your browser to see if this helps to speed things up.

16. Close your browser tabs

If restarting your browser still doesn’t help to solve the issue, it is possible that you need to close some tabs.

Anybody who is accustomed to running their browser with ten or more tabs open will likely be experiencing some sluggishness. This is because all of those tabs require RAM, and your computer will allocate more resources each time you open a new tab.

If you are staring at your browser and the entire top of your screen is full of tabs, it’s probably time to spend 5 minutes closing any unnecessary tabs that are open.

Also check for any additional Windows that may be running behind your primary browser window, as these could have multiple tabs in them that are causing your computer to grind to a halt.

17. Try a different antivirus program

Everybody needs a solid antivirus program to ensure they do not accidentally download malware or end up infected with other malicious infections. A reliable antivirus will run in the background at all times, and will even scan incoming files in real-time. This will ensure you never let anything nasty onto your laptop, so it is important to use one.

The only potential problem is that some antivirus programs are extremely heavy on CPU and RAM consumption. This means that if your laptop is a little low on processing power, the antivirus could be sapping away too much raw power. As a result, you may find that it is causing your laptop to come to a grinding halt.

If you are using an antivirus that is known to eat up system resources, you may want to try something else. For more information on the best antiviruses to use, check out our antivirus reviews .

A few more tips

How you use your computer can potentially affect the speed at which your machine is running. this makes it essential for you to keep an eye on what apps are running and how your system may be getting clogged, leading to slow speeds. To help you out we have included a few additional tips below:

• Keep your computer clean: This may sound obvious, but accumulated dust and grime can actually slow down your computer. Physically cleaning your computer regularly could help speed it up and prevent overheating.
• Remove unused browser extensions: These can slow down your browsing experience so it’s worth doing some regular housekeeping there.
• Use a memory-saving extension: Speaking of extensions, there are some popular options including Auto Tab Discard and New Tab Suspender, which will reduce the memory footprint of open tabs.
• Restart regularly: Sometimes all you need is a fresh boot. Restarting your computer can enable updates to take effect and shut down stuck programs. When you’re taking a break, it could be a good time to hit restart while you go and make yourself a cuppa.
• Run fewer simultaneous programs: Just like multitasking can be detrimental to our productivity, running lots of programs simultaneously can dampen your computer’s speed. Make a habit of closing programs instead of just minimizing them and you should see some improvement.
• Reinstall the operating system: If you’ve tried everything and you’re still running into problems, a last resort might be a fresh install of Windows.

Keeping things running smoothly

Once you’ve cleaned up your computer by implementing some of the tips above, no doubt you’ll want to keep it running at top speed. To avoid getting frustrated with lackluster performance, it’s a good idea to schedule a monthly cleanup. Use the above list of tips as a handy checklist and you’re all set.

FAQs about slow laptops (and making them faster)

Can my vpn make my computer slow.

The answer to this question is yes. Unfortunately, not all VPNs are fast and if you are using a substandard service with slow servers and inferior apps, it could cause your internet speeds to come to a grinding halt. VPNs require system resources to encrypt and decrypt data coming and going from your PC.

Of course, when pages start loading slowly, and it becomes impossible to use the internet, it is easy to simply blame your computer or assume you have become infected with a virus.

In reality, it is worth checking to see how your VPN is affecting your internet speeds. Some VPNs have been known to slow down their user's internet by 95 percent. Understandably, that makes the computer feel like it is broken.

If you find that your VPN is severely slowing down your internet, you may want to try a different VPN protocol. And failing that, it may be time to quit your current VPN and get a subscription with one of the world's fastest VPNs instead.

My laptop is still slow after trying all of the tips in this guide. What else can I do?

If your laptop is still slow after trying the above tips, you may need to take more drastic measures. Some potential options include:

Reinstall your operating system : This will erase all of your files, programs, and settings. It should only be considered as a last resort.

Replace your laptop : If your laptop is old or underpowered, it may be time for an upgrade. A new laptop can significantly improve performance.

Will Windows 11 slow down my laptop?

No, Windows 11 will not slow down your laptop. Microsoft has designed the OS to be as efficient and lightweight as possible, ensuring it requires minimal resources while providing a great user experience. Additionally, Windows 11 includes many performance-enhancing features, such as improved startup times and enhanced memory management, that should make your laptop run faster than before. So don't worry—upgrading to Windows 11 shouldn't cause any slowdown on your device.

67 Comments Leave a comment

AMAZING! JUST AMAZING! The tips helped A LOT! I had a very slow system, running Microsoft Teams was very slow, and Microsoft Edge was very poor. I did some of the things listed in the article and my laptop became as fast as the speed of light!! 10/10 for this aritcle! PS: my laptop is Windows 11, and all the things listed here still worked!

AMAZING! JUST AMAZING! The tips helped A LOT! I had a very slow system, running Microsoft Teams was very slow, and Microsoft Edge was very poor. I did some of the things listed in the article and my laptop became as fast as the speed of light!! 10/10 for this aritcle!

Thank you! I was about ready to retire my laptop, and this run through fixed it! It’s working better now than it has in years.

The best tutorial out there! Spent all day following these steps on a 6 year old laptop that was basically useless. Now it’s working like a dream. Doing a final defrag after putting it through the ringer all day – but already am able to open files and browse with minimal lagging. Thank you!

Thanks a million, I was at a point where I felt like breaking the whole laptop and smashing it to pieces and throw it away. Your explanation has made me save my laptop.

Thank you for fixing my laptop

You can also make your system by stopping window update services since it always runs in the background and taking alot of performance By going to services then locating windows update then disabling + stopping it

Disable the fast startup option. Found it actually takes longer to shutdown and startup Windows.

Great article with great tips. I, for one, am always nervous when digging into my computer’s registry or deleting files and turning certain applications off. Here are the step-by-step instructions someone like me needs to keep things running smoothly. Thanks Comparitech!

Wow! My computer now is running over speed. Thanks so much!

OMG thanks so much!!!! My laptop was slow or laggy so I used this guide and it worked!!!!!

Wowww… But, I got an issue in Display drivers after I reinstalled OS without knowing these things. AMD driver. I tried manual installing from official websites. But, it’s still troubling. The problem is ,screen freezing for a second at a regular intervals of 5 seconds. When i disable the display driver, it works normally, but with no brightness option. Pls help!!!…

Thanks for going to the trouble of putting all of this up for free, Comparitech. Has gotten a bit of extra speed out of my laptop!

Super helpful tips! My laptop is now faster in Great post and very informative booting up and usage.

Yes, it really works. I’m going through step by step as it is given.. now my laptop is running fast..

Guys if your laptop heats up, even that causes it to lag and you can fix it very easily… Just spend some money and purchase a laptop cooling pad and look at the results…

I’d add to your comment to check the case /cpu fan. It’s advanced tip but on many models the laptop bottom is easily removed and you can get canned air and make sure the cpu cooler and fan are clean as possible. CAUSE will automatically slow down if the get too hot and that could contribute to speed problems

thank you so much after following all the steps my laptop is working so much better I am very grateful.

Thank you to whoever wrote this help guide. It has worked so far with me taking a lot of stuff off my laptop and doing things to help it run faster 🙂

HUGE THANK YOU! This actually works! I bought my Asus laptop 3 years ago and then I forgot my login password. So I took back to the shop to get fixed, 5 hours before my flight. Since then, it got so slow. I need an hour to let it warm up before I can use it. So I followed this guide and man, I can now multitask and no more waiting time before I could use it. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Will this work to speed up my laptop it was slow when I got it from best buy new.

Bought a brand new Dell laptop from the internet. It ran slow from the get go.

My wife threw her hands up and went back to her old laptop. She gave me the new one to replace my dead 6 year old laptop, which was faster.

There may be some items here that can help. A laptop might be slow after purchase due to updates on the operating system, antivirus software, and other applications. If it’s still slow after the initial updates and trying relevant items on this list (e.g. stopping programs running on startup and adjusting your power options), then it’s advisable to contact Best Buy or the manufacturer.

hello, for some reason my computer does not let the update happens what can I do

This could be happening for a number of reasons. The Microsoft forum offers several troubleshooting options for update issues so I’d suggest searching there and following the advice provided.

Wow, Thanks so much I mostly use my laptop for gaming but then it started to get really laggy, games/apps/programs keep on crashing, but after I came across the article it really helped my laptop is now the way it used to be- with no lag! 🙂

So what did you do that made it faster ???

what did you do in particular, if i may ask?

Thanks so much for the advice. My laptop is already running more smoothly and I have a better understanding of what to do on a regular basis to keep it that way.

Amazing tips and written so even a non tech head like me can understand! Thanks x

Great tips.. Used most of them & they helped. Thanks for making it easy to understand and follow.

This was the most helpful compared to the other articles out there.

Only when I started using my laptop without the battery it started getting slow. Do u know why?

Most laptops have default settings that cause them to run slower when not plugged in, to conserve the battery life. To change this, check out section 6 above on adjusting your power options.

Good explanations. How do I know which programs I don’t need? I don’t want to delete something that’s needed. Thank you.

If you’re not sure on what you mean by the question as far as what you’re asking how do I know what’s needed there is an option to hide all windows system apps so you can look at the optional program that you’ve installed in your system then you can choose an option to look at least used apps in your programs and features and then when you see the least use programs that you know you don’t need those are the ones that are completely safe to remove because they were added by the user not part of the operating system and then you uninstall those the ones that are the least use that you know you can go without I hope that helps.

It can be tricky to decide on which programs to install. General advice would be to first go through the list and uninstall anything you recognize and know you don’t need anymore. Avoid deleting anything that is obviously associated with your hardware or operating system. If there are programs you are unsure about, try typing the name in a search engine to see what they are. This may jog your memory about a program you installed in the past but no longer need. There is a also a handy tool called PC Decrapfier which will scan your PC for unwanted programs.

Most genuine and resourceful article I have read so far. Thank you for the invaluable insights!

What a really great easy to use tutorial. No 11 significantly sped up my laptop. I was too chicken to try to disable Cortana!

Super helpful tips! My laptop is now faster in booting up and usage.

Thanks a lot

Great tips, my laptop performance has improved. Also steps are well explained and easy to follow.

It doesn’t appear System Mechanic is still running that 70% off promo for the year subscription. Is there a discount code that I should be using? Great article for sure! I cannot wait to implement some of these ideas.

Did you click the link in the article? If so, you should see an automatically discounted price for System Mechanic.

Yes but when I went to check out it charges full price or asks for a discount code.

The discount link should be working now if you want to try again.

Number 11 is great

This was so helpful. I used a bunch of the suggestions made throughout the article and it helped speed up my laptop. I’m a cavewoman when it comes to tech jargon, but this helped break it down and made it easy to understand.

Amazing article. I don’t really comment anywhere but this prompted me to do so. It really has helped my PC to speed up. Thanks.

Don’t know what one it was that has improved the laptop the most but it seems to be running a lot quicker. Most likely getting rid of Cortana has made the biggest improvement

Thank you for the screen shots helps me being an older user lol always unsure as to what to or not to remove

Thanks for all the screen grabs! Made it much easier to grasp and locate where to navigate to and accomplish the various tasks.

Good explanation. my System has taken more than 70% for services. I have now disabled a lot and bring it down to less than 40%.

Hate this unnecessary services.

Extremely useful my laptop was getting very slow. I had already done a few of your suggested solutions, but working through one item at the time has taken my laptop from nearly unusable to being like new.

Excellent article reminding me of some features I have used in the past and introducing some new key functions. Thank you.

God bless you.. so helpful and straight forward. Thank you

Great article, thank you for the guided instructions, tools and tips.

Great guides and well explained, thanks

Well explained.

Thanks, it was very useful.

Great post and very informative

it was useful…thanks for that

Thank you! This solved my problem.

It was very helpful.Turning of the animations has fasten my laptop.

Good explanation indeed.

Very nicely explained. Easy understanding. Thank you for these points.

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Find articles and site content, how to make a laptop run faster.

INTRODUCTION

Wondering why your laptop is so slow?

Laptops can slow down for various reasons, so it takes some troubleshooting to figure out what the issue is. You may even find that it’s a build-up of several problems that’s slowing you down.

A few common causes:

• Resource-heavy programs
• Automatic start-up programs
• Maintaining unused programs
• Not having enough storage
• No external SSD
• Needing more memory
• A disk that needs cleaning
• Needing to defrag your HDD
• Using an old version of your web browser
• Dusty ventilation
• Not regularly restarting your laptop

How to speed up an old laptop

Before you go shopping for a new laptop, follow this step-by-step guide to learn why your laptop is slow and how you can resolve some of the issues your device might be facing.

1. Identify resource-heavy programs

The first step in speeding up an old laptop is to look at the programs it’s running. Programs can take up a lot of processing power, which will impact your laptop’s performance and speed. Some programs use very few resources when they’re idle; others use a lot of processing and memory power. Discovering which programs could be slowing down your laptop is the first step.

To see which programs are using the most resources on a PC:

• Press the Ctrl , Alt , and Delete keys at the same time.
• Select Task Manager .
• On the Processes tab, you can see the items that are currently open and how much of the CPU, memory, and disk each is using.
• You can then close programs you’re not using to reallocate resources to programs you are using.

If you have resource-heavy programs, you need to decide if they’re worth keeping, considering the impact they are having. If they’re not worth keeping, it may be best to permanently remove them.

2. Prevent start-up programs

Laptops often have programs that are set to start in the background automatically when you boot up your laptop. These are often programs that you’ll only use occasionally, meaning you won’t want them to start every time you turn on your laptop.

To prevent programs from starting automatically, follow these steps:

• Select Task Manager.
• Click the Startup tab.
• Look through the list of programs and right click on any you don’t want to start automatically.
• Select Disable .

Depending on how many programs you prevent from starting automatically, you should see a faster start-up time. After starting up, your laptop should also run faster because you’ve freed up the resources that were running these programs in the background.

3. Uninstall unused programs

Many computers come with programs and apps pre-installed; you might not even know they’re on your laptop. Or you may have downloaded an app that you don’t use anymore. Deleting these programs can free up disk space so that the system can find the files you want more quickly.

To uninstall programs on a PC, follow these steps:

• Open the Control Panel .
• Select Programs and Features .
• Right click on the program you want to remove and select Uninstall then follow the directions.

Note: Your computer will not show the Uninstall option for programs necessary to run the system.

4. Find out if you need more storage

Storage is essential for your laptop and plays an integral part in its speed and performance. When required, your processor will retrieve a file from your drive so you can carry out a task.

If your laptop has a hard disk drive (HDD), consider upgrading it to a solid state drive (SSD). An SSD can speed up your everyday tasks by up to six times as they use flash memory instead of the moving parts in HDDs, allowing the computer to find files faster.

Most laptop manufacturers use SSDs in their new laptops, either in SATA or NVMe form, because they are more durable, weigh less, and use less battery power than hard drives. Even if you have an SSD, it may be worth upgrading, especially if you're continuously getting messages about maxing out your storage.

To find out how much storage your laptop has:

• Click the Windows button and type Settings.
• Select System.
• Followed by Storage.

You’ll get an overview of how much free space you have and what file types are taking up most of your storage capacity. If you don’t have much free space, you may consider deleting files or installing a drive with more memory.

If you choose to install a 2.5-inch SATA SSD or an NVMe SSD in your laptop, the installation process is fast, and you’ll instantly notice the results.

How to install a Crucial PCIe NVMe, part 1 of 4

5. add an external drive.

If you aren't ready to upgrade your internal storage, a quick and easy way to expand your storage is adding an external SSD . External storage plugs straight into your laptop via a USB cable, giving you tons of space in a matter of moments.

An external SSD can make a laptop faster by freeing-up space from your internal drive which will allow your laptop to retrieve files faster and more efficiently. They’re also great if you’re regularly on the go, or need to access files on multiple devices.

6. Check if you need more memory

Your laptop's RAM (random access memory) is vital to determining your system's performance, so adding more RAM can help to speed up a laptop.

Laptops with insufficient memory can struggle to keep up with even the simplest tasks. Upgrading your RAM will instantly increase the speed, performance, and responsiveness of your system, making multitasking much more seamless.

Follow these steps to see how much RAM is in your laptop:

• Press the Ctrl , Alt , and Delete keys simultaneously.
• Open the Performance tab and open the Memory window.
• You'll see how much RAM is in use and how much is available. The overall RAM capacity is in the top right corner of the window.

It's hard to know how much RAM your laptop needs but, under regular use, if the available option is less than 25% of the total, it may be worth considering an upgrade. There are multiple generations of RAM, including the DDR3, DDR4 and DDR5, which generally offer performance improvements .

But be aware: newer generations of RAM will not fit in older systems. Before upgrading, you will need to check which RAM hardware is compatible with your device. The Crucial System Scanner can do that quickly.

And thankfully, upgrading your laptop's RAM can be done in 10 quick steps, so you should be able to get the issue fixed in no time.

How to install Crucial memory into a laptop

7. clean your disk.

Cleaning your disk will remove files that are no longer needed and can be safely deleted. It also deletes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin.

To perform a Disk Clean up, follow these steps:

• Type Disk Clean up into the search box on the taskbar.
• Open the Disk Clean up app.
• Select the drive you want to clean. This is usually the C: drive.
• Under Files to delete , select the file types you'd like to remove, or click on a file type to see a description.
• Once you’ve checked the boxes for all the files you’d like to remove, click OK .

You should find that your computer is able to find your files more quickly.

8. Defragment your hard drive

This step is only applicable if your laptop uses a hard drive rather than an SSD. If you already have an SSD, you can skip this step.

You may need to defragment a hard drive because HDDs access information sequentially; having information in multiple places (fragments) increases the time the drive takes to access the data. Defragmenting (defragging) your hard drive moves data on the HDD into a logical formation, making it quicker to access.

9. Optimize your web browser

If you notice that your laptop is running slowly when you’re on the web, check that you have the most recent version of your web browser installed. Although the location of version information varies by browser, there will always be an "About" selection to show you. If there is an option to install new versions automatically, then enable it.

Having too many add-ons and extensions can also slow your web browsing. Again, it depends on your browser, but you should be able to find a menu called "Add-ons" or "Extensions" that will allow you to delete any add-ons and extensions you don't want.

10. Remove dust

Some laptops become slow because of dust build up and one of the most overlooked ways to speed up your laptop is, simply, to clean it.

When dust collects in the fan, it obstructs airflow and causes the computer to overheat; the system will automatically reduce performance to stay cooler. In addition to wiping off the keyboard and case, you can use compressed or canned air to blow dust out the fan vents. Use short bursts of air to avoid damaging the fans.

11. Restart your laptop regularly

Leaving your laptop on is convenient but uses a lot of memory resources. Restarting your computer regularly closes programs you've forgotten about and are running in the background. Restarting also clears the memory cache and triggers any updates or patches waiting on a restart.

Be sure to restart correctly:

• Open the Start menu.
• Select Power , followed by Restart or Shut Down . Unless something has gone very wrong, always perform the proper restart or shut down process before pressing buttons, pulling out power cables, etc., as these won't do your system any good.

Simple steps to a faster laptop

The time spent waiting on a slow computer is frustrating — and all that time adds up. You don’t have to make monumental changes to fix a slow laptop. Just a few small, manageable fixes can deliver immediate and lasting results.

If the steps in this guide haven’t helped you to speed up your laptop, it may be worth speaking to a technician or considering replacement, but this should be a last resort.

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There are many reasons why laptops become slow over time. Running unnecessary programs,  lack of memory, shortage of storage, dusty fans, overheating, using old web browsers, and more.

Adding an external SSD to your laptop can improve system performance as it will enhance load speeds, free up storage for other system resources, and generally improve the laptop's overall speed.

RAM (random access memory) temporarily holds data for active applications so that information can be retrieved quickly while you use your laptop. Therefore having more RAM will allow you to multitask on multiple apps while facing fewer load delays.

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Home › Knowledge Base › Technical Tips

10 Tips to Make Your Laptop Run Faster (2023)

Ellie Zhuang

Working or gaming with a slow laptop can be extremely irritating. If you’re looking for methods to speed up your laptop and improve its overall performance, you’ve come to the right place. This post will guide you through how to speed up your laptop.

Try these methods:

Method 1: disable startup programs, method 2: check your hard disk for error, method 3: free up your disk space, method 4: defragment your hard drive, method 5: uninstall unnecessary programs, method 6: change your laptop’s power plan, method 7: update drivers for your devices, method 8: adjust visual effects, method 9: use restoro to optimize your system, method 10: check for windows updates.

You may not have to try them all; just choose the method you need.

Startup programs start automatically when your PC turns on. They’ll run in the background and hog your PC resources.

So, if you have multiple auto-start programs, you are likely to run into the slow boot issue, and your laptop may also require more time to respond due to overloading. To fix this issue, follow the instructions below to ditch unwanted startups:

Disable startup programs on Windows 7

• Disable atartup programs on Windows 8 &10

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type msconfig . Then, select msconfig .

2) Click Startup.

3) Uncheck the box next to the program that you don’t need to launch automatically at startup.

4) Click OK . Then, restart your laptop.

Hopefully, your laptop boots faster than before.

Disable startup programs on Windows 8 & 10

1) On your keyboard, press the Shift, Ctrl and Esc keys at the same time to open Task Manager.

2) Click Startup. Then, right-click the program you want to prevent it from opening on startup and select Disable .

3) Restart your laptop.

Your laptop should be able to start faster now. If your laptop still runs frustratingly slow, then move on and try the method below.

If you’re suffering from a low read and write disk speed, chances are that there are errors in your hard disk. To spot them, you can perform a check disk on your laptop.

The disk error checking utility will scan through your hard drive and fix the problems it detected. Follow the instructions below:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and E at the same time.

2) Right-click your C drive and select Properties.

3) Click Tools, and then click Check .

4) Click Scan drive .

5) On completion, Windows will display a message.

If errors are found, follow the on-screen instructions to start the error fixing. If Windows didn’t detect any errors, then go ahead and try the next method.

Over time, your laptop accumulates files and programs, leaving you insufficient disk space to perform regular tasks. Eventually, this will slow down your laptop.

To see if that’s the core issue, try running Disk Cleanup on your laptop to free up your disk space. Follow the instructions below to see how to do it:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type disk cleanup .

2) Check all the boxes to select the file types to get rid of. Then, click OK .

You can delete all temporary files and unnecessary system files by running Disk Cleanup on a monthly basis.

Defragmenting rearranges the layout of files on your hard disk. It’s a process to help make accessing the files on your disk faster. To see if defragmenting your drive can improve your laptop’s performance, follow the instructions below:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type defragment .

2) Select Defragment and Optimize Drivers if you’re on Windows 8/10. (If you’re on Windows 7, select Disk Defragmenter. )

3) Select your C drive and click Optimize .

4) Apply this method for all the drives.

This should fix the performance lag on your laptop. If it didn’t help, move on and try the next method.

Another way to increase your laptop speed and enhance your laptop security is by uninstalling unused programs. Here is how to do it:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type control. Then, click Control Panel.

2) Select Uninstall a program .

3) Right-click the program that you don’t use and select Uninstall .

The power plan on all computers is set to Balanced by default to save more energy, so your laptop may slow down automatically to save energy. In this case, changing the power setting to High Performance help speed up your laptop. Here is how:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type control . Then, click Control panel .

2) Under View by, click Large icons .

3) Select Power Options.

4) Select High Performance .

One of the most common causes of the performance lag on your laptop is outdated or faulty device drivers. It’s essential that you have the latest correct drivers for your hardware devices. There are two ways you can get the right drivers for your devices: manually or automatically.

Manual driver update – You can update drivers manually by going to the manufacturer website for each of your devices, and searching for the most recent correct driver. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your Windows version.

Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience, or computer skills to update drivers manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy . Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for your devices, and your Windows version, and it will download and install them correctly:

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3) Click the Update button next to the driver you want to update to automatically download the correct version of this driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version). Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).

Visual settings such as menu fade, animation effects, and transparency settings can also be a drag on your laptops’ performance. Follow the steps below to adjust visual effects:

2) Right-click on the blank area and select Properties .

3) Click Advanced system settings .

4) Click Settings.

5) Select Adjust for best performance and click OK .

Over time, the performance of your laptop can decrease due to all kinds of problems, for example, malware, broken system data, etc.

While some people might choose a clean reinstall of the system to either replace corrupted system files or get rid of problematic old files, it requires time and computer techniques to do so.

If you don’t feel like going through all the trouble reinstalling the system, you can use Restoro to run a free scan on your computer. This will analyze various aspects of your computer, including security issues, stability issues, and broken registry files that require repair.

1)  Download  and install Restoro.

2) Open Restoro and run a free scan. This might take 3~5 minutes to fully analyze your PC. Once complete, you will be able to review the detailed scan report.

3) You’ll see the summary of detected issues on your PC. Click  START REPAIR  and all the issues will be fixed automatically.

You’ll need to purchase the full version to unlock Restoro’s repair feature. It comes with a 60-day Money-Back Guarantee so you can refund anytime if Restoro doesn’t fix your problem.

Windows updates can address bugs related to both hardware and software. So, make sure you’ve installed all the new Windows updates to keep your laptop running correctly. Here is how to do it:

1)  On your keyboard, press the  Windows logo  key. Then, type  windows update  and select  Windows Update settings . 

2)  Click  Check for updates,  and then wait for Windows to download and install the updates automatically.

3)  Restart your computer after the update is complete.

So, that’s all the recommended methods to speed up your laptop. Thanks for reading and hopefully, you would find this article helpful!

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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Ellie is a technical writer for Driver Easy. She writes tech tips, tricks and tutorials to help people solve computer, PS4 and mobile problems. As a long-time tech enthusiast, she enjoys researching and investigating complex tech issues, and when she’s not tinkering with computers and software, she can be found tinkering with DIY projects.

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How to Increase Laptop Speed: 7 Ways

It’s inevitable that all computers will experience slower speeds at some point. As software becomes more demanding, how your PC reacts to these changes can have a big impact on its performance. The operating system you have and whether you have chosen to upgrade to Windows 10 can also make a big difference.

Several types of software available can help you to get rid of old files while locating applications that you don’t use often and may want to uninstall. These programs can also alert you to files and software that may be the   cause of a slow computer   and may ultimately be worth deleting.

Here are seven ways you can improve computer speed and its overall performance.

1. Uninstall unnecessary software

Your computer comes preloaded with several applications that many people won’t use but that can eat up system resources. You can usually identify these when you see a pop-up prompting you to update a program you’ve never used before.

• Remove them from your computer and   free up disk space
• Click on the "Start" button and visit the “All apps” menu
• Here you can view a list of the applications you have installed - and the ones you haven’t
• Once you find the program you want to uninstall, right-click on the icon to see the "Options" menu

Or, you can right-click on Start and visit Programs and Features. Windows assistant Cortana can also be helpful because it can perform a search for “Programs” in its search box. From there, you’ll find a record of which apps you’ve used recently and which take up the most space. After surveying what’s installed, you can decide which programs can be deleted to help improve system performance.

You’ll also want to know which programs are required for your computer to run properly and which can be discarded. One of the reasons these applications slow down your PC is because they often start up automatically when you boot up your computer.

If you aren’t sure whether you want these applications permanently erased, you can take a more in-depth look at the applications you want to remove within the aforementioned menus.

2. Limit the programs at the startup

You can also determine which applications run when your PC boots up along the same lines. Windows 10 has an updated Task Manager that makes it easier to determine what you want running in the background and what you can start on your own.

• To access Task Manager, press Ctrl-Shift-Esc
• A box will appear that lists all the applications you have installed on your computer
• It also gives you a detailed account of the amount of RAM each program uses when you start your PC
• To adjust, just right-click on the application you want to change to tell it not to run until commanded

You can always change the settings if you notice that a program is no longer running, impacting how you use your PC. If in doubt, you can always restart your computer and see how it runs without certain applications available at startup.

3. Add more RAM to your PC

If you have a   convertible or detachable laptop , you’ll likely need to settle for what came in the box. Some business and gaming laptops make it possible to add RAM, but it can still be tricky.

It’s much easier to add more RAM to desktop computers, and it’s much cheaper, too. Anyone with a basic idea of the interior of a desktop tower is capable of installing more RAM in an hour or so.

You can also take your computer into a professional shop to have more RAM installed. If you’re worried about potentially compromising your system or doing this incorrectly, then having an opinion from someone who knows what he or she is doing can ease your mind and make adding extra memory easy.

4. Check for spyware and viruses

It’s almost impossible not to pick up a virus at some point while browsing the web, but the new Windows Defender software has made it easier than ever to find malware that may be causing major issues on your PC. Third-party programs are also easy to install and can be just as effective in removing any spyware or viruses you may have picked up.

Some applications are better than others and some can take up more space, which can then cause issues with speed. Ideally, you want to find efficient software and remove malware completely, but that doesn’t take up too much space on your PC.

Consider installing two types of software for computer performance monitoring. Malware cleanup programs can solve lagging or blatant issues with speed or popups. However, you should also look into applications that offer ongoing protection and run in the background. Again, keep in mind that these antivirus programs take up space, so you want to choose one that is designed not to affect performance.

A little research can help you to find the software that works within your budget or with your specific type of operating system. There can be compatibility issues if you’re downloading free software, so double-check everything before installing it so you don’t run into additional performance problems.

5. Use Disk Cleanup and defragmentation

Every computer has many files and programs on its hard drive that haven’t been used in a while or are unnecessary. Disk Cleanup allows you to find which applications and files can be deleted from your computer, freeing up drive space for the programs you will use.

It is incredibly easy to access Disk Cleanup.

• From the Start button or Cortana search box, you’ll be sent to the program
• A quick scan will show you the temporary files, installer applications, and web pages that you haven’t used or no longer need
• From there, it will automatically delete them and clear up some space

Disk Cleanup’s effectiveness depends on how much RAM you have on your PC, which can also cause your computer to run slower than it normally would. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to install more RAM on your device.

You should also schedule disk defragmentation on a semi-regular basis so you can be aware of how much hard-drive space you have. Windows has an Optimize Drives tool, which you can access from the Start button or your Cortana search box. There are also a number of third-party programs that can help clear out files that you don’t use anymore.

6. Consider a startup SSD

While they’re most commonly installed on desktop computers, SSDs can be used on some laptop models as well. When you don’t have the option of using an internal SSD, you can always purchase an   external drive   that connects to your PC with a USB 3.0. This drive can give you the extra push you need at startup to accomplish tasks and give you a boost for apps that need more temporary memory to run properly.

You can find a number of SSD options that work within your budget depending on how you use your PC. Storage review sites online can be valuable sources of information when you want to choose the right drive for your computer and you need to know that it is compatible with your operating system.

7. Take a look at your web browser

Minor adjustments can often make a difference with the speed of your PC. Something as simple as which browser you use can slow down or speed up the rate at which web pages, videos, and images load. If you have been using a certain browser and notice that there is a lag time, consider an alternative to seeing if the loading speeds are better.

The type of browser you use is not only the thing that may be slowing down your computer when you’re using the web. If you have a full cache that has not been emptied in a while, then you’ll want to visit your settings and make sure that it’s empty.

Your cache comprises what you pick up when you are visiting various websites. Many sites use cookies to figure out your browsing habits and the ads you may click when you visit a site will leave one too. A cache holds these files as information and if you spend a lot of time online, these files can accumulate and cause your computer to run more slowly.

Fortunately, it’s an easy fix.   There are two ways to do this in the more popular web browsers:

For   Internet Explorer :

• Visit “Internet Options”
• Click on the “General” tab
• Look for the “Browsing History” option
• Select “Temporary Internet Files” and “Website Data”
• Hit “Delete”

For   Google Chrome :

• Visit “More settings”
• Select “More tools”
• Click “Clear browsing data”
• Note that Chrome allows you to delete data within a certain period
• If you’ve never deleted the files in your cache before, you’ll want to select “All time”
• Check the boxes “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”
• Hit “Clear data”

You should be warned that cookies also can include the autofill function in your search bar, so it is a good idea to have your favourite websites bookmarked just in case.

If you are experiencing issues loading applications or simply dealing with slow computer performance, then it usually just takes some minor adjustments to make it run more efficiently.

Make sure to double-check to see if there is malware, spyware, or a virus causing lags or slow speeds. After that, you can look into what else might be causing any issues so you can speed up, maintain, and check your computer performance to enjoy an overall better experience.

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How to Clean and Speed Up Your Laptop

Make your laptop run faster with these seven quick fixes.

Everyone remembers the day they brought home their laptop, cracked it open and enjoyed lightning-fast speeds. Since that day, your laptop’s speed and performance has probably waned, and it can feel like your computer has been slogging along for months or even years. When it comes to laptops, it usually seems that newer means faster, but it’s actually regular maintenance that keeps your laptop running in top shape.

Depending on where your laptop is in its lifecycle, trying to decide the best option for restoring your computer to its original performance can be overwhelming. If you’ve only had your computer for a few years, does installing more memory really help? If you’ve had your laptop for ages, will uninstalling unused programs and applications and deleting old files make any difference?

By learning how to speed up your laptop’s performance, whether the laptop is for business or personal use, you can save a lot of time and stress. Annoyances such as long delays and your laptop operating system or apps freezing can be heavily reduced or a thing of the past.

To take full advantage of your laptop’s capabilities and make the most of your workday, check out the best business tools and technology , as chosen by business leaders just like you.

Knowing how to speed up your laptop is extremely helpful and requires little to no time. This article breaks down the best ways to speed up your laptop. With this guide, you can take the right steps to free your laptop from performance burdens that have plagued it for months.

Quick ways to boost your laptop’s speed

1. limit startup tasks and programs..

Were you ever in a situation where you needed to print a document quickly, you turn on your laptop, sign in … and then wait? That may be due to lag.

Nothing is worse than your laptop performance lagging at a stressful time. Even the simplest tasks like printing a document can quickly become a headache. Why does this happen, especially when you’ve only had your laptop for a couple of years?

When you turn your laptop on, multiple programs automatically open and start running. The programs operating in the background can drain CPU usage and slow your startup times. This makes other applications more difficult to launch, causing a system-wide lag.

By taking a few minutes and making a few clicks, you can increase your laptop’s performance and save hours of waiting time.

How to limit startup tasks and programs for Windows

For Windows 10 users, this involves:

• Open your task manager
• Click on Settings
• Click on Apps
• Click on the Startup tab

Under the Startup tab, you will find a list of programs ranked by startup impact. You can enable and disable whichever ones you feel necessary. You also can sort the list either by impact level, name of the application and status.

If the Startup tab is not visible in your settings, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start button
• Select the Task Manager option
• Then click on Startup (Sometimes the Startup button can be located under More Details, so look there if you can’t find this option.)

How to limit startup tasks and programs for macOS

For macOS users, specifically with Catalina 10.15, follow these steps:

• Click on the Apple menu icon
• Go to Systems Preferences
• Navigate to Users and Groups
• Select your user account for the operating system
• Click on Login Items

This will then present a list of all the programs that are running when turning on your laptop, as well as three tasks that you execute: Add a Login Item, Remove a Login Item and Hide a Login Item.

To improve your laptop’s performance, follow these steps:

• Click on the application that you want to stop launching on startup (to highlight it)
• Click on the minus (-) symbol located on the center bottom of the window

If an application or program that used to be on your laptop shows up, then click on the empty box that says Hide, and it will remove it from your Login Item list.

2. Uninstall unused apps.

There are a lot of free apps that we think we will need and use, but they often take up memory that we don’t have to spare. Some of these apps may have come on preinstalled your laptop when you bought it, or some may have made their way on through other applications you installed over time. Liberate your laptop from the unused apps to free up space and provide a quick boost of speed. This is especially applicable for games, movies, and other large, unused files. You can also migrate large files you don’t access often to cloud storage or an external hard drive. Mac users may want to consider Backblaze for cloud storage. 

By removing unnecessary programs, your laptop’s performance can increase dramatically, as more processing power and storage will be available for more important programs and tasks.

How to uninstall unused apps on Windows

On Windows, removing unused apps is as easy as selecting Uninstall a Program in the control panel. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

The most common approach is to:

• Click the Start button and then the Settings icon.
• Once you are in Settings, click on Apps on the right-hand side of the list, then on Apps and Features.

This will present a list of all the programs on your laptop. You can sort all items by name, size and installation date. There is also another option to arrange each item list by their drive location.

Once you have determined which applications and tasks you want to remove from your laptop, click on the item, highlighting it, and then click on Uninstall. The app is then removed.

A second method is to search for “control panel” in the search bar located on the bottom of the screen. Next, click on Control Panel, which opens a new window. There, click on Uninstall a Program under the Programs heading.

This will provide you with another list of all the programs on your computer. To uninstall a particular program, right-click on the item and select Uninstall. A dialogue box will appear. Click Yes to allow your laptop to make changes. You will then be asked if you want to continue with uninstallation. Click Yes again to finish the process.

To make this process even quicker, create a shortcut to the Uninstall page on your desktop or your taskbar. (Some programs may have additional dialogue boxes; read all the information before choosing an option.)

Either process takes about 2 minutes, depending on how many applications you intend on removing from your laptop.

How to uninstall unused programs on Mac computers

Apple’s operating system is much easier for uninstalling programs than Windows. Mac users can uninstall programs by moving them to the trash icon on the desktop or by right-clicking on the app and selecting Move To Trash. Sometimes the operating system may ask you to enter in your username and password to continue with the uninstall process. Empty your trash before you continue.

To ensure that everything associated with the program is being uninstalled, Mac users can drag the programs into a third-party application – such as AppDelete – which presents all folders associated with that program while giving the option to remove individual folders within the application itself. This can be useful since some files associated with an application may not get deleted when performing an uninstall.

Mac users have an advantage over Windows users when uninstalling programs because the uninstall process of an application – much like their phone counterparts – takes seconds to perform.

3. Use disk cleanup.

The disk cleanup utility is a program featured on Windows that assesses and removes unneeded programs and files from your computer. This is a great tool to scrub your computer of erroneous files that you otherwise would not have known existed.

To access disk cleanup, follow these steps:

• Type “disk cleanup” in your search bar.
• A dialogue box will appear that has a dropdown menu, allowing you to select a driver that you want to perform the disk cleanup on.
• Click OK to begin the process.

Once it scans your laptop and its files, the program will show you a list with all the files and how much disc space you have left. Click on all the boxes located to the left-hand side of the files and select Clean Up System Files.

The program then runs an intensive scan and produces another window similar to the previous one, but will also provide information on how much space is saved. Select the options again and click on OK to permanently delete the files.

Microsoft’s disk clean-up process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of hours depending on the number of files stored on your hard drive and how often you clean it. Regardless of time length, this will improve your laptop’s performance in the long run.

Can you use disk cleanup on Mac?

Mac offers a similar feature that’s easy to access, view, and see how much storage is left. You can access this by following these steps:

• Click the apple in the top left corner of your screen.
• Select About This Mac.

A dialogue box will appear with the option of Storage highlight. This will show you a bar telling you how much storage space you have on your hard drive (and other details too). Then click on the Manage button to open up the Storage Management window.

In this window, you can click on storage and get an overview of how your hard drive is being used. From this screen, you can reduce clutter by clicking Review Files, Optimize Storage or Move Files to iCloud. You can also get rid of the individual files permanently by right-clicking on the item and selecting Delete.

There is an opportunity for users to download both free and paid applications that perform a disk cleanup automatically that can be accessed through the app store.

It may be more feasible in the long run, however, to spend a few minutes every couple of weeks deleting applications and files that are just taking space.

4. Clear your internet cache.

Much like those pesky files clogging your hard drive, there are even more hidden items taking up space through your internet cache. Clearing them out regularly can free up a couple of gig’s worth of storage, noticeably speeding up your laptop.

How to clear internet cache on most browsers

The easiest way to clear temporary files from your internet cache is to go through your individual browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge, and access the Settings tab.

Regardless of the browser, finding Clear History, Clear Data and Clear Cache will take moments. Follow the directions presented, which is usually a click or two of a button commanding the deletion of all the data. Once that is done, you’ll have freed more space through your cache, increasing your laptop’s performance.

How to delete internet cache on Safari for Mac

It’s slightly different for Safari users. With Apple’s browser, all you need to do is click on Preferences and then click the Privacy tab. Keep in mind that Apple deletes all cookie caches after you visit a website.

However, once you are on the Privacy tab, you have three options to help you maintain a clear cache:

Select whichever option suits you.

There is also an option for Managing Website Data. When you click on that, you receive an itemized list of all the data stored, which can either be individually deleted or done all at once.  

Other options for clearing your cache

There are also numerous options for applications that can be used to clear out your internet cache, such as CC Cleaner. However, a manual delete takes less than a minute or two, with a couple of easy steps.

How to use CC Cleaner for Windows

For Windows users, this can be done by opening the Run program, which is located on the Start menu or is accessible by clicking on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner. Once that happens, the Run dialogue box opens. In the search bar, you have an option to type in one of three paths that will allow you to delete temporary files from your computer: %temp%, temp, or prefetch. Then click OK.

Typing in one of those terms takes you to the respective folder. After clicking OK, a dialogue box may appear asking for permission to enter the folders. Click OK to receive an itemized list in the folders.

Once you are in either the %temp%, temp, or prefetch folders, highlight all the items with your mouse, or by pressing Ctrl A, and then delete them by either right-clicking and selecting Delete or pressing the Delete button located on the top right-hand corner of your keyboard.

When that is done, delete all the folders in the recycle bin on your desktop to ensure they are permanently deleted.

Some files will not be erased as they are in use when you are running a specific program. Those can be removed later on.

How to clear cache from MacOS laptops

For macOS users, your cache can be cleared in two different ways, both allowing you to remove unnecessary files taking up space on your laptop for better performance. Follow these steps to clear cache:

• Click on Go, then select Go To Folder. A shorter way to get there is to press Command-Shift-G.
• This will provide you a small dialogue box where you can type in the following path: ~/Library and press Enter.
• You’ll then see a list of folders, of which you will click on Caches. It’s even quicker if you type in ~/Library/Caches as your pathway, ultimately skipping a step.

You’ll then see a window containing an itemized list of data, all of which can be deleted by highlighting all of the data through your mouse, or Command-A on your keyboard. Drag these files to the trash to permanently delete them.

Once you trash these files, follow this process:

• Click on Macintosh HD. If you cannot find Macintosh HD, open your finder preferences, verify that Hard Disk is selected as an option under Devices. This will make Macintosh HD appear on your original window.
• Click on Macintosh HD, the Library folder and then on the Caches folder. Here, you will find additional data caches to delete from your Mac laptop. If any of the files have a red label on them, this means that it requires permission, and you may need to enter your password before continuing with the deletion process.

Whether on your HD or Mac laptop, these are quick processes that take less than a couple of minutes to execute. By doing this as routine maintenance from time to time, you’ll be able to keep your laptop performing to the best of its ability.

How to revamp computer performance

1. add an ssd..

An SSD, or solid-state drive, is different from a traditional hard drive because it stores data in memory chips without having to use mechanical components. SSDs are a great way to immediately boost your computer’s speed and performance. They’re relatively inexpensive – a 256GB SSD can cost around $75.

SSDs require installation, so if you’re unfamiliar with the intricacies of laptop design, it may be better to pay someone to install it for you. [Read related article: Best Hard Drive Recovery Services for Small Businesses]

2. Upgrade RAM.

RAM, or random access memory, is a form of memory storage that allows laptops to feature games and store other large files. Adding RAM, and thus more memory, can help speed up a computer that has a lot of large files on it.

Generally, 8GB is the minimum amount of RAM you should have on computers, but not all laptops are upgradeable. Adding RAM also requires installation, and many newer laptops may come with RAM coupled with the computer’s motherboard, meaning it cannot be adjusted.

3. Reinstall your OS.

Windows offers the option to reinstall an operating system without losing all the files on your computer. Reinstalling Windows is like hitting the reset button on your computer – by removing and reinstalling, only your essential files will remain. You can do this by selecting Recovery in the Update and Security tab of the Settings window.

In addition to updating your computer and keeping your files, you can download your files onto an external hard drive, reinstall Windows and then load your information back onto the laptop.

For Mac, restart your computer, then hold down Command + R. This will open the macOS Recovery window. From there, reinstall the OS without erasing your files.

Bottom line

Your computer accumulates a lot of files and data over time. It’s crucial to regularly clean out your laptop so that as your computer ages, it doesn’t significantly slow down. By taking preventative measures, you can avoid bigger projects such as installing an SSD or reinstalling your OS to maintain decent operating speeds.

Prolonging the performance of your laptop is like taking care of a car – if you don’t service it and make sure it’s running properly every now and then, it will break down or, in the case of the laptop, slow down.

Additional reporting by Jad Kaado.

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If you want to optimize Windows 10, take a few minutes to try out these tips to speed up your PC and make it less prone to performance and system issues.

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Want Windows 10 to run faster? We've got help. In just a few minutes you can try out these tips; your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

1.  Change your power settings

If you’re using Windows 10’s “Power saver” plan, you’re slowing down your PC. That plan reduces your PC’s performance in order to save energy. (Even desktop PCs typically have a “Power saver” plan.) Changing your power plan from “Power saver” to “High performance” or “Balanced” will give you an instant performance boost.

To do it, launch the Control Panel app, then select Hardware and Sound > Power Options . You’ll typically see two options: “Balanced (recommended)” and “Power saver." (Depending on your make and model, you might see other plans here as well, including some branded by the manufacturer.) To see the “High performance” setting, click the down arrow by “Show additional plans.” 

Change your power settings in Control Panel to give your PC a performance boost. (Click image to enlarge it.)

To change your power setting, simply choose the one you want, then exit Control Panel. “High performance” gives you the most oomph, but uses the most power; “Balanced” finds a happy medium between power use and better performance; and “Power saver” does everything it can to give you as much battery life as possible. Desktop users have no reason to choose “Power saver,” and even laptop users should consider the “Balanced” option when unplugged — and “High performance” when connected to a power source.

2. Disable programs that run on startup

One reason your Windows 10 PC may feel sluggish is that you’ve got too many programs running in the background — programs that you rarely or never use. Stop them from running, and your PC will run more smoothly.

Start by launching the Task Manager: Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc, right-click the lower-right corner of your screen and select Task Manager, or type task manager into the Windows 10 search box and press Enter. If the Task Manager launches as a compact app with no tabs, click “More details” at the bottom of your screen. The Task Manager will then appear in all of its full-tabbed glory. There's plenty you can do with it, but we're going to focus only on killing unnecessary programs that run at startup.

Click the Startup tab. You'll see a list of the programs and services that launch when you start Windows. Included on the list is each program's name as well as its publisher, whether it's enabled to run on startup, and its “Startup impact,” which is how much it slows down Windows 10 when the system starts up.

To stop a program or service from launching at startup, right-click it and select “Disable.” This doesn't disable the program entirely; it only prevents it from launching at startup — you can always run the application after launch. Also, if you later decide you want it to launch at startup, you can just return to this area of the Task Manager, right-click the application and select “Enable.”

You can use the Task Manager to help get information about programs that launch at startup and disable any you don't need. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Many of the programs and services that run on startup may be familiar to you, like OneDrive or Evernote Clipper. But you may not recognize many of them. (Anyone who immediately knows what “bzbui.exe” is, please raise your hand. No fair Googling it first.)

The Task Manager helps you get information about unfamiliar programs. Right-click an item and select “Properties” for more information about it, including its location on your hard disk, whether it has a digital signature , and other information such as the version number, the file size and the last time it was modified.

You can also right-click the item and select “Open file location.” That opens File Explorer and takes it to the folder where the file is located, which may give you another clue about the program’s purpose.

Finally, and most helpfully, you can select “Search online” after you right-click. Bing will then launch with links to sites with information about the program or service.

If you’re really nervous about one of the listed applications, you can go to a site run by Reason Software called Should I Block It? and search for the file name. You’ll usually find very solid information about the program or service.

Now that you’ve selected all the programs that you want to disable at startup, the next time you restart your computer, the system will be a lot less concerned with unnecessary programs.

3.  Go to a Previous Restore Point

As you use Windows 10, it automatically creates restore points that are essentially snapshots of your system at specific moments in time, including installed software, drivers and updates. Restore points are a kind of safety net so if something goes wrong, you can always restore your PC to a previous state.

They can also be used to speed up your PC if you notice — for no reason you can fathom — it’s started to slow down. Recently installed problematic drivers, software, or updates could be to blame, so going back to a previous restore point could speed things up again because the system will be returned to the state it was in before the problems started. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll only be able to restore your system to the state it was in during the last seven to 10 days. (Restore points don’t affect your files, so you won’t lose any files by going to a restore point.)

To go to a previous restore point:

• Save any open files and close all your programs.
• In the search box type advanced system and then click View advanced system settings . You’ll be sent to the Advanced tab of System Properties in the Control Panel.
• Click the System Protection tab.
• In the System Restore area, click System Restore. From the screen that appears, click Next.
• You’ll see the most recent restore point. Click Next if you want to go that restore point. To see others, click Show more restore points. Highlight the one you want to use and click Next.
• Click Finish from the screen that appears.
• Your system will restore to the restore point you chose and shut down. Restart your PC.

Going to a restore point can help speed up your PC if you’ve recently installed drivers, software, or updates that have slowed down your system.

Note: there’s a chance System Restore isn’t turned on, meaning you won’t be able to use this tip. If that’s the case, you should turn it on to solve any future problems. To do so:

• In the search box, type create a restore point, then click Create a restore point .
• On the System Protection tab and select Configure.
• Select Turn on system protection . Leave the other settings on the page as they are.
• Click OK. From now on your PC will automatically create restore points.

4. Use ReadyBoost to speed up disk caching

Windows 10 regularly stores cached data on your hard disk, and then when it needs the data, fetches it from there. The time it takes to fetch cached data depends on the speed of your hard disk. If you have a traditional hard disk instead of an SSD, there’s a trick that can help speed up your cache: use Windows’ ReadyBoost feature. It tells Windows to cache data to a USB flash drive, which is faster than a hard disk. Fetching data from that speedier cache should speed up Windows.

First, plug a USB flash drive into one of your PC’s USB ports. The flash drive needs to support at least USB 2.0, and preferably USB 3 or faster. The faster your flash drive, the more of a speed boost you should see. Also, look for a flash drive that is at least double the size of your PC’s RAM for maximum performance.

After you plug in in the drive, open File Explorer and click “This PC.” Look for the flash drive. It may have an odd name, like UDISK 28X, or something even less-obvious. Right-click it, choose Properties and click the ReadyBoost tab.

Turn on ReadyBoost from this screen to speed up your PC.

You’ll come to a screen that asks whether you want to use the flash drive as a cache and recommends a cache size. Leave the cache size as is or change it if you like. Then select “Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost” and click Apply and then click OK.

(Note that if you see the message, “This device cannot be used for ReadyBoost” when you click the ReadyBoost tab it means your flash drive doesn’t meet ReadyBoost’s minimum performance standards, so you’ll have to insert a new one.)

As you use your computer, ReadyBoost will start filling the cache with files, so you may notice an increase in disk activity. Depending on how much you use your PC, it can take a few days for your cache to fill and offer maximum improved performance. If you don’t see an increase in performance, try a flash disk with more capacity.

Note: If you have an SSD, you won't get any extra speed from ReadyBoost, and it might even hurt performance. So don't use this on a system with an SSD.

5. Shut off Windows tips and tricks

As you use your Windows 10 PC, Windows keeps an eye on what you’re doing and offers tips about things you might want to do with the operating system. In my experience, I’ve rarely if ever found these “tips”  helpful. I also don’t like the privacy implications of Windows constantly taking a virtual look over my shoulder.

Windows watching what you’re doing and offering advice can also make your PC run more sluggishly. So if you want to speed things up, tell Windows to stop giving you advice. To do so, click the Start button, select the Settings icon and then go to System > Notifications & actions . Scroll down to the Notifications section and uncheck the box marked “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.”

Turning off Windows' suggestions for you should help things run more smoothly (and give you back a measure of privacy). (Click image to enlarge it.)

That’ll do the trick.

6. Stop OneDrive from syncing

Microsoft’s cloud-based OneDrive file storage, built into Windows 10, keeps files synced and up to date on all of your PCs. It’s also a useful backup tool so that if your PC or its hard disk dies, you still have all your files intact, waiting for you to restore them.

Here’s how to turn off OneDrive syncing temporarily, to see if that boosts system performance. (Click image to enlarge it.)

It does this by constantly syncing files between your PC and cloud storage — something that can also slow down your PC. That's why one way to speed up your PC is to stop the syncing. Before you turn it off permanently, though, you’ll want to check whether it is actually slowing down your PC.

To do so, right-click the OneDrive icon (it looks like a cloud) in the notification area on the right side of the taskbar, then click the More button at the bottom of the screen. From the popup screen that appears, click “Pause syncing” and select either 2 hours, 8 hours or 24 hours, depending upon how long you want it paused. During that time, gauge whether you're seeing a noticeable speed boost.

If so, and you decide you do indeed want to turn off syncing, right-click the OneDrive icon, and from the popup, select Settings > Account . Click “Unlink this PC,” and then from the screen that appears, click “Unlink account.” When you do that, you’ll still be able to save your files to your local OneDrive folder, but it won’t sync with the cloud.

If you find that OneDrive slows down your PC but prefer to keep using it, you can try to troubleshoot OneDrive problems. For info on how to do that, check out Microsoft’s “ Fix OneDrive sync problems” page .

7. Use OneDrive Files on-Demand

Some users may not want to stop OneDrive from syncing; doing so defeats its purpose of making sure you have the latest files on whatever device you use. And it would also mean you won’t be able to use OneDrive as a way to safely back up files.

But there’s a way to get the best of both worlds: You can keep syncing to an absolute minimum and only do it when absolutely necessary. You’ll speed up performance, and still get the best of what OneDrive has to offer.

To do this, you use Windows’ OneDrive Files on-Demand feature. With it, you can choose to keep only certain files on your PC, but still have access to all your other OneDrive files in the cloud. When you want to use one of those online files, you open it directly from the cloud. With fewer files on your PC sync, you should see a performance boost.

Right-click the OneDrive icon on the right side of the Taskbar and select Settings, then click the Settings tab on the dialog box that appears. Check the box next to Files On-Demand. Now click the OneDrive icon and select Open Folder. OneDrive appears in a File Explorer window. Right-click a folder whose files you want stored only in the cloud, but not on your PC, then select “Free up space.” Files from that folder will be removed from your disk, but still kept in OneDrive in the cloud.

For every folder whose files you want kept on your PC, right-click the folder and select “Always Keep on this Device.” You can change the options on any folder at any time by right-clicking it and choosing what you want done.

Use this dialog box to turn on OneDrive Files on-Demand

If you change your mind and want all your files stored locally and kept in sync via OneDrive, go back to the OneDrive settings dialog box and uncheck the box next to Files on-Demand.

Note that OneDrive Files on-Demand is available only on Windows Version 1709 and higher.

8. Turn off search indexing

Windows 10 indexes your hard disk in the background, allowing you — in theory — to search your PC more quickly than if no indexing were being done. But slower PCs that use indexing can see a performance hit, and you can give them a speed boost by turning off indexing. Even if you have an SSD disk, turning off indexing can improve your speed, because the constant writing to disk that indexing does can eventually slow down SSDs.

To get the maximum benefit in Windows 10, you need to turn indexing off completely. To do so, type services.msc  in the Windows 10 search box and press Enter. The Services app appears. Scroll down to either Indexing Service or Windows Search in the list of services. Double-click it, and from the screen that appears, click Stop. Then reboot your machine. Your searches may be slightly slower, although you may not notice the difference. But you should  get an overall performance boost.

Here’s how to turn off Windows 10 indexing. (Click image to enlarge it.)

If you’d like, you can turn off indexing only for files in certain locations. To do this, type index  in the Windows 10 search box and click the Indexing Options result that appears. The Indexing Options page of the Control Panel appears. Click the Modify button, and you’ll see a list of locations that are being indexed, such as Microsoft Outlook, your personal files, and so on. Uncheck the box next to any location, and it will no longer be indexed.

9. Clean out your hard disk

If you’ve got a bloated hard disk filled with files you don’t need, you could be slowing down your PC. Cleaning it out can give you a speed boost. Windows 10 has a surprisingly useful built-in tool for doing this called Storage Sense. Go to Settings > System > Storage and at the top of the screen, move the toggle from Off to On. When you do this, Windows constantly monitors your PC and deletes old junk files you no longer need — temporary files, files in the Downloads folder that haven’t been changed in a month, and old Recycle Bin files.

You can customize how Storage Sense works and also use it to free up even more space than it normally would. Underneath Storage Sense, click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now.” From the screen that appears, you can change how often Storage Sense deletes files (every day, every week, every month or when your storage space gets low).

You can also tell Storage Sense to delete files in your Download folder, depending on how long they’ve been there, and set how long to wait to delete files in the Recycle Bin automatically. You can also have Storage Sense move files from your PC to the cloud in Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage if they’re not opened for a certain amount of time (every day, or every 14 days, 30 days or 60 days).

Here’s how to customize the way Storage Sense works, and to tell it to delete old versions of Windows. (Click image to enlarge it.)

You can also delete old versions of Windows that might be hogging space. At the bottom of the screen, check the box next to “Delete previous versions of Windows.” Storage Sense will then delete old versions of Windows ten days after you’ve installed an upgrade. Note that if you do this, you won’t be able to revert to the older version of Windows.

10. Clean out your Registry

Under the Windows hood, the Registry tracks and controls just about everything about the way Windows works and looks. That includes information about where your programs are stored, which DLLs they use and share, what file types should be opened by which program, and just about everything else.

But the Registry is a very messy thing. When you uninstall a program, for example, that program’s settings don’t always get cleaned up in the Registry. So over time, it can get filled with countless outdated settings of all types. And that can lead to system slowdowns.

Don’t even think of trying to clean any of this out yourself. It’s impossible. To do it, you need a Registry Cleaner. There are plenty available, some free and some paid. But there’s really no need to outright buy one, because the free Auslogics Registry Cleaner does a solid job.

Before using Auslogics or any other Registry Cleaner, you should back up your Registry so you can restore it if anything goes wrong. (Auslogics Registry Cleaner does this for you as well, but it can’t hurt to have it backed up twice.) To do your own Registry backup, type regedit.ext in the search box, then press Enter. That runs the Registry editor. From the File menu, select Export. From the screen that appears, make sure to choose the “All” option in the Export range section at the bottom of the screen. Then choose a file location and file name and click Save. To restore the Registry, open the Registry editor, select Import from the File menu, then open the file you saved.

Now download, install and run Auslogics Registry Cleaner. On the left-hand side of the screen you can select the kinds of Registry issues you want to clean up — for example, File Associations, Internet or Fonts. I generally select them all.

Auslogics Registry Cleaner scans for and fixes problems in your Windows Registry. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Next, tell it to scan the Registry for problems. To do that, click “Scan Now,” and from the drop-down menu that appears, select Scan. That lets you first examine the Registry problems it finds. If you instead choose “Scan and Repair,” it makes the fixes without you checking them.

It now scans your Registry for errors, then shows you what it found. It ranks the errors according to their severity to help you decide which to fix. Click Repair when you’ve made your decision, and make sure that “Back Up Changes” is checked, so you can restore the Registry easily if something goes wrong.

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How to Make Your Laptop Work Faster

Last Updated: February 13, 2023 References Tested

This article was co-authored by Stan Kats . Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 1,672,678 times.

Laptops execute tasks slowly for a variety of reasons—you may simply have too many tabs and programs open or there may be several programs running in the background that you are unaware of. Every method of speeding up your laptop involves freeing up more memory. Even disabling animations can speed up your laptop significantly!

Tips for All Laptops

• Look for programs that you've minimized but haven't actually closed.

• After you’re finished with a tab, close it.
• If you are keeping it open as a “reminder” to do something, write yourself a note or send yourself an email instead. [2] X Research source

• Try looking your your applications folder for old or unused programs to delete or uninstall.

• Only close programs that you are familiar with.
• The memory filter will sort the programs by the amount of memory they are using. The program using the most memory will appear at the top of the list.

• Select “Dock”. Change the “Minimize windows using” preference from “Genie effect” to “Scale effect”.
• Return to “System Preferences” main menu and open “Accessibility”. Check the box next to “Reduce transparency”. This will decrease the transparency of drop-down menus, the dock, etc. [7] X Research source

• Right-click in the lower right corner of your screen and select “Task Manager” to open.
• Click “More Details”.
• Open the “Startup” tab.
• Right-click on a program or app and select "Disable". This will not delete the program. It will only prevent the program or app from launching when you turn on your computer. [9] X Research source

• Click “Start” then type “perform / report” in the search box. Hit ↵ Enter . This will launch the Performance Monitor. It will take the program a few minutes to compile a report.
• Read through the report and fix problems. Take time to peruse the report. Follow the instructions to fix any issues it identifies. [10] X Research source

• Select “Start”, then “Settings”.
• Click “Privacy” and select “Background Apps”.
• Identify the apps you don’t want to run and slide the toggle switch to “off”. If you want to use these programs, you can open them manually. [11] X Research source

• Click the Start button and type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the search bar. Launch the tool.
• Select your hard drive and hit “Analyze”.
• Select “Optimize” to defragment your hard drive. Do not use your computer while the hard drive is being defragmented. [13] X Research source

• Click the Start button and type “Disk cleanup” in the search bar. Launch the program from the results list.
• Select the drive you want to clean.
• Check the boxes next to the types of files you would like to delete. You can read a brief description of the file type by clicking on the item.
• Click “Ok” to clean up your disks. [14] X Research source

• Press ⊞ Win + R to open the run command.
• Type “sysdm.cpl” in the command prompt and press ↵ Enter .
• Select the “Advanced” tab.
• Under “Performance,” select “Settings” then “Custom”.
• Uncheck the boxes next to each animation option and click “Apply”. [15] X Research source

• Swipe from the right side of the screen towards the center and select “Settings”.
• Click “Change PC settings” and select “Update and recovery”.
• Choose “Check now”. Windows will search for available updates.
• Click “Install Updates”, accept the terms, and click “Finish”. [16] X Research source

• Click “Start” then select “Task Manager”. [17] X Research source
• Select a program you want to disable.
• Click “Disable”.

• Right-click on the desktop taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the pop-up menu.
• Click on the “Processes” tab to view the results.
• Select tasks that are using a lot of your computer’s resources (these are highlighted) and/or tasks that are running in the background (found under “Background Processes). Only select programs that you are familiar with.
• Click “End Task”.

• Click the Start button and type “Defragment” in the search box.
• Select “Disk Defragmenter” from the results.
• Select a drive and click “Analyze disk”.
• Click “Defragment disk”.

• Swipe from the right of your screen towards the center and select “Settings”.
• Click “Control Panel” and select “Administrative Tools”.
• Double-click “Disk Cleanup”, then select the drive you want to clean and click “Ok”.
• Check the boxes next to the types of files you would like to remove and click “Ok”.
• Select “Delete Files”. [19] X Research source

• Click the Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar. Press ↵ Enter .
• Select “Apps” then click “Ease of Access”, followed by “Ease of Access Center”.
• Select “Make the computer easier to see”.
• Check the box next to “Turn off all unnecessary animations” and click “Apply”. [20] X Research source

• Click “Start”, followed by “All Programs” and “Windows Update”.
• Click on “Check for updates”. Windows will search for available updates.
• Select “Install updates”. [21] X Research source

• Click the Start button and type “Disk Defragmenter” in the search box.
• Select a drive you want to defragment and click “Analyze disk”. Enter in your administrator password if prompted.
• Click “Defragment disk”. Enter in your administrator password if prompted. [23] X Research source

• Select the Start button and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search box.
• Select “Disk Cleanup” from the search results.
• Click the disk you want to clean and press “Ok”.
• Select “Delete Files”. [24] X Research source

• Click the Start button and select “Control Panel”.
• Select “System and Maintenance” then “Performance Information and Tools”.
• Select “Adjust visual effects” followed by “Custom”.
• Uncheck the boxes next to every animation” and click “Apply”. [25] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• Consider adding more memory to your Mac or PC. This is a sure way to improve the speed of your laptop. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Don't uninstall programs you aren't sure of. Windows may need these to perform basic tasks. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about Computer Networking, check out our in-depth interview with Stan Kats .

• ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/ways-to-speed-up-your-mac-2015-11
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/optimize-windows-better-performance#optimize-windows-better-performance=windows-vista&section_7
• ↑ http://macpaw.com/how-to/fix-mac-running-slow
• ↑ http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4807-windows-update-check-install-windows-10-a.html
• ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/3030200/windows/how-to-make-windows-10-faster-5-ways-to-speed-up-your-pc.html
• ↑ http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/4-tips-to-make-your-windows-10-computer-run-faster-1759839684
• ↑ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/fragmentation.html
• ↑ http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/defragment-hard-drive-windows
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/disk-cleanup-in-windows-10
• ↑ http://www.nirmaltv.com/2015/09/10/tips-to-make-windows-10-run-faster/
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-update-faq
• ↑ http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5014-task-manager-open-windows-8-a.html
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/delete-files-using-disk-cleanup#delete-files-using-disk-cleanup=windows-8
• ↑ http://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-8-turn-off-animations/
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/install-windows-updates
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/improve-performance-defragmenting-hard-disk#1TC=windows-7
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/delete-files-using-disk-cleanup#delete-files-using-disk-cleanup=windows-7
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/optimize-windows-better-performance#optimize-windows-better-performance=windows-vista&section_3

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How to Speed Up your Laptop: 8 Simple Steps

A laptop is the most advanced hardware available in the Tech industry. Over 50 million people in the world were seen to buy it at the end of 2020. Although a laptop’s performance and portability might outsmart the computer’s speed and hard disk, it still gets cluttered with lots of stuff over time, which becomes the ultimate reason for reducing its fluency.

Many experts would recommend upgrading your Laptop to Windows 10 or buying a fresh one, which is not a bad option. However, if you want to manage your computer economically, some small hacks would make a huge difference in its performance.

Some “Windows boost-up stories” are based on turning off the most integral features of the operating system, such as visual animations and reducing brightness that might improve functionality but reduce the luxury of using laptop. However, that’s not a good idea. To overcome the barriers to optimal performance, let’s first understand what holds back your laptops speed.

Remove Stubborn Applications/Programs

If your Laptop is getting slow, one of the most straightforward fixes is to close as many programs as possible. Some programs, however, continue to run in the background even after you close them. These programs can consume your processing power, causing your laptop to slow down.

For example, “Adobe Acrobat DC” is one such application that persists in its operation even after closing, reducing battery life and laptop performance.

Therefore, it becomes very important to troubleshoot those programs, but “how can we do it”?

How to Identify Applications that Slows down the system without losing Windows

Step 1) Select Task manager, and hit “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” on your keyboard to open the pop-up.

Step 2) Then, in the bottom-left corner, click More details from where you can identify programs that are dissipating your Laptop’s memory, CPU, and other resources.

a) For example, in the below screenshot, the highest value of memory (571.6 MB) corresponds to “Google chrome,” Which shows its contribution to slowing down the Laptop.

b) In the second one, you can see the “Very high” Power usage status corresponding to Microsoft word. Which indicates that MS word is using the maximum power of your Laptop in shrinking down its fluency.

Step 3) You can close the program (Google Chrome and Microsoft word) running in the background by selecting that program and clicking on the “End task.” option. This act will discontinue the operation for the time being.

Note: Specific programs may be operating in the background required for your Laptop to function correctly. So, before you choose to force stop software, be sure you understand it.

Update Your Operating System

If you’ve not updated your operating system (OS) in a while, you may be losing out on new driver and software fixes. It can slow down your Laptop and make you vulnerable to security flaws used by hackers to infect your machine.

Windows typically releases significant feature updates twice a year; patches for strengthening security and addressing bugs, on the other hand, are released every month. If your Laptop is performing slower than usual, check to determine if your system is up to date.

How to Update Operating system

Step 1) Select the Settings icon To open the feature windows.

Step 2) Next, opt for update and security, which will lead to the side tab.

Step 3) Click on magnifying glass icon At the search bar and type update to check whether your operating system requires an update.

Step 4) Click to “Download” Once you find the latest update.

Remove overloading Of Startup Programs

You may have too many unnecessary programs open when you first boot up your computer. Some of these programs will ask for permission to run when you boot your computer to encourage you to use them more frequently.

On the other hand, some programs will start automatically every time you turn on your computer without ever requesting permission, which will reduce the loading speed of many necessary operations.

How to Identify Startup that Slows down the system without losing Windows

Go to the startup tab at the Task Manager window to see which programs are set to launch when you boot your Laptop. The application name, status, and startup impact are all displayed here.

Here are steps to identifying slow startup issues:

Step 1 ) Make a Right-click on “NAME,” select “Startup impact,” and “CPU at start-up.”

Step 2) Once the two tabs get opened, see which program has the highest value of “startup impact” and “CPU at startup” on boot.

a) In this case, “Real player with Real Times” has a “HIGH.” startup impact and an “822 MS” startup value. So, by disabling it, a significant amount of laptop RAM will be available for smooth operation.

Step3) Select a program (Real player with Real Times) in the window’s bottom-right corner, and click Disable.

a) Unnecessary Low impact programs can be disabled to save battery life; however, it is optional.

b) Secondly, you can also speed up the proceedings by closing all programs before turning off your computer. In this manner, when you boot your laptop, you won’t have applications attempting to start.

Remove Malware that slow down the Laptop

Whenever an application or a component of the operating system fails to accomplish its intended role, it shows up with lackluster performances and laptop crashes. You need to check if the crashes become even more frequent. It links to the presence of malware viruses that your software has not noticed. Malicious threats like spyware and computer viruses could be watching your activity, messing with your data, and stealing personal files.

“In 2021, a survey concluded that more than 14% Laptops in Europe were under malware attack. With encompassing 5.04% of mobile devices”.

Unexpected behavior, slow computing, excessive pop-ups, and frequent crashes can all be signs of Malware. Therefore, if you face any of the symptoms listed above, you may have a malware infestation. Malware in operation can take a significant amount of Random Access Memory on your Laptop, leaving little resources for other genuine apps to use. This can result in the high sluggish performance of crucial programs, like your Internet browser or operating system, with slow laptop performance.

For example, basic Malware continuously multiplies to infect the whole drive. If the Laptop’s primary drive is a hard disc drive, the overhead involved in disc I/O will significantly influence performance due to the rise in response latency.

A laptop running on an SSD, on the other hand, would not affect performance. However, the more complex and resource-intensive a virus creates more chances of downplaying computer configuration statistics.

Crypto-currency miners, DDOS software that turns the computer into an enslaved person in a DDOS attack, and even ransomware are examples.

Even with the best laptop settings, the effects of the DDOS virus will be felt when attempting to visit the internet. The infected machine will send out PING and ARP requests at a high rate, reducing network and browsing performance. In short, this would end your Laptop.

How to Identify Malware that Penetrate Your Laptop

During your daily computing activities like visiting a website, clicking an email, or saving a picture, the Malware quickly sneaks through these into your machine and multiplies itself.

For example, the “NOT SECURE” sites shown below are one central Hub of Malware viruses. Therefore, the operator should be cautious when visiting it, and it would be better if these sites were avoided.

Once the Malware has stabilized itself by multiplying at various locations on your Laptop’s hardware, it attaches itself to all files and programs, which results in interruption of Computer performance and operations.

Don’t Rely on Your Machine.

While Malware takes over the laptop, you should never trust any application or personal files to secure your data. That is because hackers might use Malware to access applications or files to steal your passwords, delete personal data or leak out your confidential information. The best option here is to upload your data to Google Drive, which assures servers Protection for your privacy.

Quick checks to Avoid Malware virus

There are some basic steps you can do right away to prevent further malware infection, improve Laptop performance, and prevent frequent laptop crashes:

• Update your hardware regularly.
• Increase the security of your browser.
• Avoid visiting dubious websites.
• Only download software from reputable websites. Before downloading free software or file-sharing applications, carefully assess them.
• Use the following safe email protocol:

Step 1) Open mails from unknown senders with caution.

Step 2) Delete any texts you feel are spam as soon as possible.

Use Hidden Types of Storage Cache

Clearing Windows Storage Cache

Step1) Open “Run” by hitting Windows+R on your keyboard to remove the Windows Store cache. The “Run” dialogue box will appear. Enter WSReset.exe in the text box next to “Open,” then click “OK.”

Note : When you choose it, a dark window will emerge. You have no choice except to wait a few moments as it clears the cache. The cache is erased when you close the window, and Windows Store runs automatically.

Clear Temporary Internet Files Cache Using Disk cleanUp

Step 1) Enter “Disk Clean-up” in the Windows search box in the bottom-left corner of the desktop to delete the temporary file cache.

Step 2) Choose the “Disk Clean-up” software from the search results in Windows.

Note: When accessing the disk clean-up tool, it will calculate how much space you can free upon the operating system drive (C:), the Disk Clean-up utility for OS (C:) will now be displayed. Scroll the cursor down and opt for the “Temporary Files” checkbox. You can also delete files from other folders, such as the “Recycle Bin” or “Downloads.”

Step 3) After you’ve decided what you want to delete, click “Clean Up System Files.” As the window calculates the storage space to be cleaned in a round, it takes you back to the same page.

a) Click “OK” once you select the unnecessary file icons that need to be deleted a second time.

Step 4) A pop-up will display to confirm whether to delete data permanently; choose “Delete Files.” Within a minute clean-up utility will remove all unnecessary files from your Laptop. These unnecessary files are automatically deleted through Configure storage sense once the drive is full. So, this is one way to clean your Laptop.

Delete the Location Cache

Step 1) To clean away the location cache, click the windows symbol and select “gear icon” to open the windows setting.

Step 2) Once the “Settings” window is displayed, scroll down to the “Privacy” section and click it. You should now be in the “Privacy” section of the settings.

Step 3) Select “Location” from the “App Permissions” section in the left-hand window.

Step 4) Scroll down until you find the “Location History” group in the next window. Click “Clear” within the “Clear Location History on this Device.” This act will remove away all the pending cache in location history. So this can fasten your laptop.

Remove Flashing Laptops BIOS

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a computer program usually stored in EPROM and is utilized by the CPU to complete start-up procedures when the computer is started. However, it needs to be Flashed after some time. Let’s see.

What’s The Need for Flashing Laptops BIOS?

Some of the reasons for flashing an outdated BIOS are as follows:

• Allows the usage of a newer CPU.
• Enables the usage of newer RAM chips
• Fixes issues that are interfering with your LAPTOP use.
• For whatever reason, the BIOS has become corrupted.
• Adds new functionality, such as improved overclocking, that you desire.

Note: When flashing a BIOS, always ensure a suitable power source and no danger of power loss while flashing the BIOS ROM. Charge the battery first if you’re flashing a laptop.

How to Flash Laptops BIOS

Following is the easiest way to flash laptop BIOS.

Step1) Locate the most recent BIOS update file for your machine.

Note: The downloaded BIOS should be compatible with the brand of the Laptop; in this case, we used the BIOS file of “ASUS laptops.”

Step 2) Once the BIOS file is downloaded, copy it in a pen drive.

Note: The Pen drive should be in “FAT32” format. For drives with another format such as “NTFS,” it is mandatory to convert it to “FAT32” format.

Now restart your Laptop while tapping the “Escape” key, which will lead to the opening of a blue window.

Step3) After the Pop-up of the blue window.

1. Select the “FSO” option in the left middle corner. After selecting it, press the left arrow from the keyboard and choose “ASUS. Bios”

2. Select the BIOS File you have copied in the Pen drive and press Enter.

3. Choose the update button to start the process

Note: It may take 5 to 10 minutes to complete, after which your Laptop will reboot to end flash. This will speed up your Laptop.

How to put unused applications to sleep on Windows 10

Step 1) Open the Start menu and click the gear icon in the lower-left corner to access your computer’s settings.

Step 2) Look for the “Privacy” option in Settings and select it.

Step 3) Scroll down towards the left side of the screen until you see “Background Apps” in the next window. Simply click on it.

Step 4) You can now perform two things: To put all background apps to sleep, click the on/off button at the top.

Note: Alternatively, you can go through the apps list and put the programs you don’t use too often to sleep one by one. That’s the end of it. The disabled programs will be retired. While you open them, they will still start usually (although slightly slower), but they will not slow down your computer’s performance when you aren’t using them.

Use Antivirus to optimize laptop

Antivirus Software counters against the detected threats through signatures or suspicious conduct. Its ultimate objective is to neutralize malicious attacks that slow laptop performance, delete confidential data, reduce device downtime, or bring other negative outputs.

There’s an old concept that antivirus gradually slows your pc down using 50%. While this may have as soon as been genuine, it’s not a reality. However, your antivirus may affect the general speed of your tool. It’s frustrating while your arm your computer with protection tools, and then the speed takes a nosedive.

The list of crucial logger kinds has grown considerably, and AV packages’ databases have become massive.

Many people nevertheless suppose that installing antivirus will gradually down their laptop, however as long as you choose your safety software wisely, that won’t occur. One of the reasons for the laptop’s slowdown is because there are too many apps and packages installed, half of which can hardly ever be used or in no way.

Many of those apps are partially loaded while Windows started to evolve to launch faster. Individually, the small put-off each one causes might not be substantial; however, the cumulative effect can be frustrating.

TOTAL AV Malware Removal Tool

Total AV is one of the secure antivirus applications out there. It uses a sturdy antivirus era to offer a practical and great protection package to boost laptop performance. There is a stripped-back free model, which includes the core antivirus engine, and a premium model, which incorporates real-time safety from viruses, adware, ransomware, and different kinds of Malware.

It works in the following way:

1. CLOUD SCANNING

This feature scans the machinery, deciding to keep the background programs running or disable them.

2.BROWSER CLEAN-UP

When we log into any website, the website uses cookies stored in the log, and other websites use these cookies to provide a better advertisement to the user.

Total AV removes these cookies to provide security along with cleared space.

3.DATA BREACH CHECK

This feature allows the user to be protected from accessing websites that can affect cyber security, such as data breaches.

4.WEB SHIELD

Web shield offers the feature to disable harmful websites to the user.

5.MOBILE PROTECTION

This feature allows users to lock some apps they don’t want their kids to open.

6.OTHER FEATURES

A valuable feature is a smart scan. It scans a routine antivirus scan to analyze and detect any malware in the machine and make decisions to counter them.

Purchase a Brand New Machine

It is worth examining this as a possibility, although it should be viewed as a last resort. Purchasing a new laptop is, of course, not a frivolous purchase. It can be rather expensive to do so. However, if you’re already paying more than you’d like on maintenance charges, buying a new device may be better and more financially sustainable.

After all, most gadgets come with at least a year of warranty, which indicates that some faults, such as faulty hardware or operating system malfunctions, will be repairable.

If you want a new laptop, you should conduct some research. It’s the ideal time to reassess your hardware requirements, whether professional or personal and any other features you’d like to see in your new device.

Following last year’s transition to remote working, many manufacturers have redesigned their offers by making their gadgets more fit for current working conditions. HP, for example, introduced a new line of home office laptops “built to enable hybrid work settings and increasing personal creative studios.”

Purchasing a new device is also an excellent opportunity to think outside the box. Would a PC be more beneficial to you? What about a tablet or a 2-in-1 device? Now is the right time to consider all of your possibilities.

❓ What are the Software to speed up laptops?

Windows, mainly Windows 10, includes tools and features that might help you speed up your computer. Cleaner extends PC upkeep by assisting with full hard drives, garbage files, and infrequently used software that slows down the system.

Following are the recommended software:

💻 How to Diagnose Optimum laptop speed?

By using the following steps, you can easily find your laptop speed.

Step 1) Press the Start button.

Step 2) Choose Control Panel.

Step 3) Choose System. Some users may be required to pick System and Security, followed by the system from the following box.

Step 4) Go to the General tab. Your CPU type and speed, memory (or RAM), and operating system are listed here.

💻 How to Make Your Desktop Computers Speed Faster with Windows 10?

Following improvements in Visual Effects for Windows 10 can improve its performance.

Step 1) Navigate to this PC on the left-hand menu in File Explorer.

Step 2) Right-click on properties at the windows drop-down menu.

Step 3) Go to Advanced system settings on the left-hand side.

Step 4) Navigate to the Advanced tab in the System Properties window and click the Settings button.

Step 5) Select Adjust for optimal performance in the Performance Options window’s Visual Effects tab and click Apply.

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