Would you love to know how to speed up your computer at no extra cost? Here is a good news; this article will discuss in detail how you can speed up your computer if you can’t afford a new PC at the moment.
It can be very frustrating when working on your computer and it’s just very slow especially when you have a deadline to meet up with. Although there are several reasons why your computer isn’t performing optimally as it should.
All you need to know on how to speed up your computer will be discussed here thoroughly.
It can be quite unpleasant and frustrating to use a slow computer. But you can easily handle this if you know what to do.
There are some internal fixes that will make your computer run smoother. And here are some fixes to keep your computer working efficiently and effectively, whether you are stuck with an outdated computer or simply want to better performance than a newer one.
You may discover that your computer is operating slower than when you first got it after having it for a long. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make your computer faster and appear brand-new again. 
Why is my Computer so Slow?
Your computer steadily accumulates junk as you use it to download files, visit the internet, uninstall programs, leave open applications, and pretty much anything else over time, leading to issues that are sometimes difficult to detect right away.
Here are some of the reasons why your computer is so slow:
- File fragmentation.
- The buildup of cached web browser data.
- A disorganized desktop.
- A full hard drive.
- Slow hardware.
However, your computer might not be slow, you may simply be encountering a slow internet connection as a result of a damaged router, a poor connection, or the ISP’s limited speed. Regardless, you might only need to increase the speed of your internet access. That’s all!
What Computer Part Increases Speed?
In case you are wondering about the part of your computer that increases speed, well, it’s called the Processor. You can interact with more programs more quickly if your processor has more cores and a faster clock speed.
Your computer will run more quickly if you receive high marks in these areas. For browsing the internet and watching Blu-ray movies, a 1.3 GHz processor and 2-4 GB of RAM are sufficient. For CPU-intensive gaming, a 3.5 GHz processor and at least 8 GB of RAM are advised.
How to Speed Up your Computer
The amount of processing power required to run many programs has an impact on the performance and speed of your computer. There are two ways to address this: the first one is by reducing the number of open apps; while the second, boost the RAM and processing capability of your computer.
However, we will be breaking down these 2 categories into simpler fixes whereby you can choose the one which works best for you. Follow the steps below on how to speed up your computer:
Close all system tray programs
If your computer is beginning slowly, too many apps may be launching simultaneously with Windows. Frequently, programs in the system tray start up at boot time and continue to run as you use the computer.
Click on the arrow pointing upward on your taskbar’s right side to access these items. Right-click on any running apps to shut them down if you don’t need them. This is how to speed up your computer.
Stop programs running on startup
Similar to programs that run in the tray, other programs that start up automatically on your computer can slow it down. Others might not be necessary, but some like antivirus software, you may want to run.
- To launch, use Ctrl-Shift-Escape or the Task Manager option from the context menu on the taskbar.
- You may check each thing that runs at startup, along with its impact, by going to the Startup tab.
Decide which of them doesn’t need to start automatically by going through them. If you can disable any of the high-impact ones, the performance of this process will be significantly enhanced. However, note that some of these applications are necessary for Windows to function.
For instance, it’s generally better to ignore the ones where Microsoft is named as the publisher. If you’re unsure, either skip it or conduct a Google search to learn more.
Simply right-click and select Disable to disable. Keep in mind that all you are doing is preventing the program from starting up.
For Windows 7: To find System Configuration, you will need to search for it rather than opening Task Manager.
Defragment your hard drive
Regularly defragmenting your hard drive can frequently speed up your computer as well. Your hard drive’s data fragments over time, making it more challenging for your computer to locate it. This information is reorganized by defragging, making it easier for your computer to access.
Update Windows, drivers, and apps
A driver is necessary for the operation of any connected device, including keyboards, printers, and mouse. The programs known as drivers simply instruct your computer how to use these devices. These devices won’t work properly if the drivers are outdated, which can slow down your computer. They must be updated if this occurs.
There’s a high tendency that your drivers will be automatically updated if you’re using a Windows computer. While in some circumstances, though, you might have to carry out this task manually. All of your drivers will update automatically if you have a Mac. This is how to speed up your computer.
Fix Windows System Errors
Errors in the Windows system files can result from the installation and removal of software, Windows updates, rebooting your computer during an update, making your computer shut down instantly, and other actions.
These issues can lead to system lock-ups, interrupt software installations and updates, and generally disrupt a seamless computing experience.
To fix your system files, launch a tool like SFC /Scannow.
Delete unnecessary files/ Free up Disk Space
Our computers become clustered too much like our wardrobes and drawers. Even though you can’t see it, you know it’s there and that it might be hurting your computer’s performance. This is particularly true if you frequently work with numerous huge files, such as high-resolution photos, audio files, and films.
Make it a practice to delete files and folders every week and then clear the recycle bin to free up space. When you do this frequently, you are more likely to remember exactly what is in the files and folders and to be less worried about accidentally destroying vital information.
Your computer may occasionally slow down if your disk drive doesn’t have much space left. Here are some ways to free up some space:
- Many computers come with software that you might not use, so uninstall any unwanted or unused programs.
- Remove any files you no longer need.
- To save larger files and media, use external storage.
Additionally, certain built-in tools might help you in clearing even more space. You can run Disk Cleanup on a Windows computer to delete temporary and unnecessary data. If your Mac runs macOS Sierra or a later version, you can free up space via the About This Mac dialog box. This is how to speed up your computer.
Add more RAM
Lack of RAM could be another factor for your computer to operate slowly (random access memory). Your computer’s ability to run multiple programs at once is due to its RAM. When you run too many programs at once, your computer will slow down if you don’t have enough RAM.
Fortunately, you can upgrade the RAM in your PC. You must ascertain the kind of RAM that your computer uses to accomplish this. You will also need to manually open your computer to install the RAM after you purchase it. You might want to think about taking this process to a computer repair shop to have someone else handle it if it sounds very difficult.
Search for programs that eat up resources
There is probably a specific program to blame if you notice that your computer is suddenly operating much slower.
Go into your task management and look at what’s using up your resources to pinpoint the offender. You can follow the steps below:
- Select Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar.
- To learn more about the programs that are presently operating on your computer, click More details.
- By default, it ought to display the Processes tab.
For Windows 7: You must search for System Configuration instead of going to Task Manager. This is how to speed up your computer.
Check for viruses and spyware
Your computer might unintentionally pick up spyware or viruses while you use it. These frequently cause computer harm and slow it down. Using antivirus software is the greatest approach to stopping them and handling them.
The majority of this software can search for, find, and occasionally even get rid of them. Check out this article on how to protect your computer and avoid viruses for additional details. This is how to speed up your computer.
Adjust your power options
For your convenience, Windows comes with several pre-set “power plans.” Performance and energy usage are both taken into account when the default setting of Balanced is used. However, the latter is only really a problem if you are using batteries or trying to reduce your electricity usage.
As a result, you might wish to adjust your strategy.
The High-performance plan, as its name implies, is a better choice if your PC is functioning slowly. Although it consumes more energy, this option favours performance and should therefore make your system run faster.
Aside from the standard options, you can o create your custom plan. Follow the steps below to do this:
- Go to Control Panel >> Hardware and Sound >> Power Options >> Create a power plan.
- Select which existing plan you would like to start with, enter a name for your new plan, and click on Next.
Basic choices include how long the screen remains on when you aren’t using it and how long it takes the computer to enter sleep mode. These won’t impact the speed of your computer, but if you choose Change advanced power settings, you can make more changes that will.
Uninstall programs you don’t use
We frequently install large apps without realizing the amount of space they consume. You can uninstall any programs you don’t use if you believe that to be the case. If a program is especially huge and you just occasionally use it, it might be worth just reinstalling it whenever you need it.
To uninstall a program, follow the steps below:
- Go to Control Panel >> Programs >> Programs and Features.
- Go through the programs and decide which ones, if there are any you don’t need.
- In case you are not certain about a particular program, you could simply use a search engine to find out more.
- Alternatively, you can as well use a tool such as the aptly named PC Decrapifier to assist you to distinguish the good from the bad.
This is another way how to speed up your computer.
Turn Windows features on or off
Check to see if there are any Windows components you don’t need when you are at the Programs and Features screen. You can access a list of these functions by selecting Turn Windows features on or off.
Adjust Visual Effects
Animated windows and fading menus are just two of the many eye-catching visual elements that Windows offers. The majority of the time, it’s okay to have these features enabled, but they are only useful if your system has enough RAM. To make things go a little faster, you can disable these visual effects.
Clean, Replace or Upgrade Your Hardware
Even though many slow computers are the result of software issues, you can only go so far before you have to deal with the hardware elements.
You may have a low RAM capacity or an obsolete or damaged video card, for instance, if your computer won’t allow you to run more than a few programs at once or won’t play HD movies. You might merely have dirty hardware.
You should regularly clean the components of your physical hardware.
Fans and other components under the casing may accumulate dirt or hair over time and in particular as a result of specific environmental factors, forcing them to work more than necessary just to function normally.
Before you get new hardware, clean everything thoroughly because it can simply be too dirty.
To view the hardware specifications of your system, use a free system information tool. If you are planning on replacing hardware, these tools come in handy so you won’t have to open your computer only to check on things.
For instance, if you wish to increase your RAM capacity, you can use a system info tool to verify the kind and quantity of RAM you currently have so that you can purchase the appropriate kind.
Reinstall the Whole Windows Operating System
The last and most extreme way to speed up your computer is to completely erase all of its software and data, uninstall the Windows operating system, and start again. With a fresh installation of Windows, you can do this.
The benefit of doing this is that, in essence, you now have a brand-new computer that is devoid of years’ worth of unnoticed program and registry updates and problems. This is one of the final choices on how to speed up your computer, so you should give it some serious thought before you do it.
Reinstalling Windows is a permanent fix, so be aware of this and ensure to back up your data as well as a list of any apps you want to be sure to reinstall.
This is all about how to speed up your computer, I hope your computer is no longer slow and works more efficiently and faster now.
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