Introduction
There are few very simple tricks that one could employ to make a slow Windows PC quite fast. The first thing to be done is deleting unnecessary programs and files which take up some of the storage space. Secondly, disabling the applications which open automatically during Windows booting should definitely help. Thirdly, the user should be always updated about Windows and the installed drivers. Besides, one needs to run a virus and malware scan from time to time. Also, Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense tools may be very helpful in removing unnecessary temporary files. If all the measures mentioned above do not help in speeding up a computer, one can think about changing an HDD into an SSD and/or increasing the RAM memory.
Fine-tune Startup and Background Activity: Turn off startup programs. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Under the Startup apps tab right-click heavy programs that you do not want to run immediately and click on Disable.Close programs that use too many resources. In Task Manager’s Processes tab sort by the CPU or Memory and find and kill tasks of those applications that are wasting your computer’s processing power.
Switch off background applications. In the Windows Settings menu look for “background applications” and turn off permissions for applications that you do not use very often.
Free up Storage Space for Your Computer: Make use of Storage Sense.
Go to Settings > System > Storage and switch on the Storage Sense feature to clean cached files automatically.
Use Disk Cleanup.
Type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows task bar, select the system drive (commonly labeled with C:) in the pop-up window, tick the temporary files box and hit OK. You can click Clean up system files to safely remove outdated windows updates.
Uninstall unwanted software. In the Settings menu go to Apps > Installed apps and remove unwanted software pre-installed on the computer.
Let us adjust the performance settings on our computer. We need to switch to Performance. To do this we have to search for “Choose a power plan” in the control panel and then change our setting from “Balanced” to High Performance.
We should also turn off the effects on our computer. We can do this by searching for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” and then selecting the option that says Adjust for performance. This will disable all the animations that our computer is doing.
We also need to enable something called Fast Startup. To do this we have to open the Control Panel go to Power Options and then choose what the power buttons do. After that we have to click on “Change settings that’re currently unavailable” and check the box that says Turn on fast startup.
Now we will do some system maintenance and security checks on our computer.
We need to update Windows and all the drivers on our computer. To do this we have to go to Settings and then Windows Update and then click on the button that says Check for updates. This will help to patch all the system bugs that are slowing down our computers performance.
We also need to scan our computer for malware. We can do this by opening Windows Security going to Virus & threat protection and then running a Quick scan. This will help to make sure that there is no software on our computer that is stealing our processing power.
It is also very important to restart our computer. We should not leave our computer asleep for weeks, at a time. When we restart our computer it flushes out all the stuck system memory. Clears the background cache. This helps our computer to run smoothly and quickly.
Why Windows PCs slow down
The reasons why a Windows computer can slow down over time are various. Many programs that are open in the background can take up too much of the computing power. Having a full storage drive can also slow down the system. There are many more factors that can slow down the performance of the PC including temporary files, old software, obsolete drivers, and viruses. Moreover, having old components like traditional HDD or low RAM can also make Windows operate slowly. Regular maintenance, including cleaning the computer of unnecessary applications, updating Windows, and upgrading the hardware whenever needed can help keep the PC in a good working condition.
Software Bottlenecks
Hidden applications that start up. Some software may find its way to the boot process. It resides in memory forever and consumes CPU and memory resources.
Background processes. Various utilities like update tools, synchronization agents, and other tools operate without the user’s notice. They occupy a part of the resources from the applications that are being used.
Browser extensions overload. The websites of today have heavy scripts, and numerous open tabs alongside with ad-blockersi will consume lots of memory.
Drive restrictions
Space shortage. Windows requires free space on the disk to run smoothly. It uses this space for virtual memory.
Written memory performance loss. The SSDs become slower with the increase in the amount of saved data. In order to save a small new file such a solid state drive can have to perform quite an effort.
Fragmentation on the HDD. The modern hard drives work by scattering data physically so the read takes longer time.
Thermal and Aged Components
Heat and dust accumulation. Dust inhibits airflow in the computer case. The CPU becomes hot enough that it reduces its clock speed to avoid overheating.Power-hungry Windows updates. The newer operating system versions require advanced hardware. The newer editions take more resources than processor and other parts were made years ago.Malware takeover. Viruses, adware, and secret cryptocurrency miners are using your computer’s processor and bandwidth without notifying you.
Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows feature. It eliminates files that you do not need. It eliminates temporary files and files from removed Windows updates, items that are in the Recycle Bin, and various unnecessary files from your disk drive. It is advisable to run Disk Cleanup from time to time. This allows users to achieve order on their computers and to boost the computer’s performance when there is no free space left on the disk drive. If necessary, just type “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar and select the disk drive where you want to remove files.
How to Clean the Disk Press The Windows Key and look for Disk Cleanup, Click Enter. Choose your drive (mostly C:) and press OK. Select the boxes beside the items you want to trash (ex: Temporary Files, Thumbnails, Downloaded Program Files.) Click OK and press Delete files to confirm your item deletion. How to Clear Deep System Files to clear the storage of Windows updates that take many GBs of space.
Open Disk Cleanup by following the instructions listed above. Click on Clean up system files from the bottom left, Choose your drive again and press OK. Now follow the instructions from there to delete previous Windows installations and confirm deletion. Safe files for deletion are Temporary Internet Files, Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, Thumbnails, and System Error Memory dump files.
Please confirm whether your Downloads (on clearing — the personal folder for downloads) and your Recycle Bin (the app will erase all deleted files) are safe for deletion.
Uninstall Unused Software
Removing programs you don’t use is a good way to save disk space and cut down some background processes. Some software may automatically launch with Windows and occupy your PC’s RAM and processing power. To uninstall unnecessary programs turn on Settings → Apps → Installed apps and identify unneeded ones. Be cautious not to delete essential Windows components and drivers.
To get rid of software on Windows 11 you need to do a things. First open the Settings by pressing the Windows Key and the I key at the time. Then click on Apps in the sidebar and select Installed apps. Now look through the list of software. Use the search bar to find the software you want to get rid of. When you find it click the three dots to the software and select Uninstall. Just follow the instructions on the screen to finish removing the software.
To get rid of software on Windows 10 you have to do things a bit. Start by opening the Start Menu typing Control Panel and pressing Enter. Under the Programs category click on Uninstall a program. Now scroll through the list to find the software you do not need anymore. When you find it right-click, on the application and select Uninstall. The uninstallation wizard will ask you to confirm so just authorize it to remove the files.
What is safe to remove from your computer?
You can remove bloatware. Bloatware is stuff that comes pre-installed on your computer like factory games such, as Candy Crush.
You can also remove trial antivirus programs and manufacturer-branded cloud tools that you do not use.
Old browsers are also safe to remove. These are web browsers that you tried but no longer use.
Dead utilities can be removed too. Dead utilities include printer software, unused game launchers or legacy video players that you do not need anymore.
However there are some things that you should not delete.
Do not delete anything that is labeled Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
You should also keep AMD Graphics Drivers, Intel Graphics Drivers and NVIDIA Graphics Drivers.
Additionally do not delete Realtek Audio.
Scan for Malware
Malware can affect the performance of your PC by employing resources and processes and altering system files. Periodic scanning of your PC will enable you to spot and get rid of malicious programs. Running a quick or thorough scan using Windows Security will help you find the malware affecting your computer. Updating Windows Security and your PC will also help mitigate the attack of new viruses.
The process of completing a full malware scan is one of the most important ways to get your system back into full working order when hidden malware such as viruses, malware, and unapproved cryptocurrency miners gain control of your processing unit and system memory to perform background tasks.
To do this, you can complete the task using the built-in Windows Security tool. Simply open Windows Security, find and click on the Virus and threat protection option, click on the scan options link, and select the Full scan option to scan every file and all active programs on your disk thoroughly.
In case of the most difficult cases of malware cases located deeply in the system such as rootkits which can also evade the antivirus protection, it is better to select the Microsoft Defender offline scan option because this option will restart your computer in the safe mode and allow your operating system to run without virus attacks.
If your computer is still running poorly after applying these methods, it may be a good idea to run one more manual single scan by using a good quality antivirus tool like free Malwarebytes.
Employing a Trusted Secondary Scanning ProgramIn the event that Windows Security successfully completes its scan with nothing found, but your computer still functions weirdly, download and install the free version of Malwarebytes. Perform a one-off manual scan to detect persistent adware, browser hijackers, and PUPs while immediately exiting the scanner program to avoid any interference with your primary virus protection software.
Update Windows
Windows needs to be updated all the time. This is a way to keep your computer fast and safe. Microsoft is always making updates that fix problems. Make Windows more stable. These updates also make Windows more secure. Sometimes they even make your computer work better.
If you do not update Windows you might have problems with programs and hardware. Your computer might not work well with things. Updates can also fix problems that you do not even know about which can make your computer slow. To get the updates you need to go to Settings and then Windows Update. Then you need to click Check for updates.
If there are updates you should let Windows download and install them. You might need to restart your computer so make sure you save your work first. You should also keep your device drivers updated. These are things like graphics and network drivers.. Be careful where you get them from. Do not get drivers from websites you do not know because they might have software.
You can turn on updates, which makes it easy to keep Windows updated. Windows will do it for you. Keeping Windows updated will not make your computer super fast. It will help prevent problems and make it work better. Updates are important, for keeping your computer in condition. Windows updates and other things can help your computer last longer.
Don’t overlook the optional updates and drives. Most hardware manufacturers must provide driver updates via Microsoft Windows source that is intended to resolve the problems responsible for high CPU utilization.
The process of performing the updates can be different depending on your OS. For instance, on Windows 11 operating system, you will have to go to Settings=>Windows update=>Advanced options=>Optional updates and select any of the drivers you want to download. On the other hand, if you are using Windows 10 operating system, you can perform the same by navigating to Settings=>Update & Security=>Windows update and selecting optional updates.
Upgrade SSD and RAM
In case of a sluggish Windows PC, due to outdated hardware, improving the RAM and SSD can bring notable improvements. Among the most successful is using an SSD instead of a traditional HDD as it increases the data rate access and this implies faster startup of Windows OS, loading applications, and moving files.
For the PCs already equipped with SSD, it may sometimes, be advisable to extend the RAM size to improve the first impression of the computer. The larger RAM is the more applications and browser tabs Windows can process. 8GB is enough in many cases, whereas 16GB may allow for an even better handling of multiple tasks.
Before buying new components it is suggested to check the motherboard or laptop specifications. One of components must comply with motherboard or laptop in terms of type, limitations, and connectors.
Move from HDD to SSD
If you are utilizing an old mechanical Hard Drive (HDD) for your operating system, changing it to an SSD will give you a phenomenal enhancement in performance.
In what way it helps: HDDs have a spinning disk and a physical read head, which consists a huge bottleneck. On the other hand, SSDs utilize flash memory technology and enable operating systems to start up in seconds.
Types: Most of prior laptops and computers are using 2.5 inches SATA SSDs which are directly connected to the respective sockets in HDD. Up to this moment, most of updated motherboards support M.2 NVMe technology.
How: You may either burn your HDD into the SSD using some cloning software, or perform a clean installation of the operating system.
Increase Your RAM
Your computers RAM is like a workspace where it can do things quickly. When this workspace gets full your computer has to use the drive to help out and that makes everything really slow.
How RAM do you need?
You need 8GB of RAM to do things like look at websites and use office software.
16GB of RAM is an amount if you like to have a lot of things open at the same time play games and have everything run smoothly.
You only need 32GB of RAM or more if you do things like edit videos make models or work with complicated programs.
You have to make sure the RAM you get is compatible, with your computer.
You need to get RAM that matches what your computers motherboard can handle which’s either DDR4 or the newer DDR5.
For laptops you need to get SO-DIMM modules and for desktops you need DIMM sticks.
When you put in RAM you have to follow one important rule.
You should always put in RAM sticks in pairs like two 8GB sticks of one 16GB stick.
This helps your computers processor talk to the RAM faster which makes everything work better.
Tips to Keep Your PC Fast
It is very important to develop and implement maintenance techniques and tricks that will help keep the computer working fast. It is advisable to begin with erasing all programs, files, and temporary information that are not useful.
Also, it is necessary to maintain the free space on a computer’s hard drive, as low performance is usually due to lack of that space. Do not install any additional programs that operate upon loading Windows. Regularly scan the computer for viruses, clean the temporary data and malware, as well as restart the PC on a regular basis are important for keeping your computer working efficiently.
Having a SSD instead of a standard HDD can improve performance. Increasing the volume of RAM is another way to enhance the computer performance. Also, it should be taken into account that cleaning both the inside and outside of the computer is vital for increasing performance.
Practice an Intelligent Software HabitAudit your startup apps once every quarter. Downloaded software may reverse your efforts by sneaking back into your startup. Remember to hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc a few times in the year and remove any undesirable startup apps from running. Use one simple browser.
In your case, one easy-to-use browser is sufficient, including its extensions and avoiding the addition of unnecessary extensions, ad blockers, or shopping aids. Declutter your desktop. Having a desktop filled with numerous icons is one of the factors that hinder the proper functioning of Windows. Each shortcut of the file is treated as an active window.
Use Your Storage WiselyKeep your disk space not less than 15 percent of its total capacity. Remember that without free space your SSD will slow down its processing of data blocks significantly. Enable Automatic Storage Sense. You can find this feature in the setting of your system in the storage menu. You can also download your bigger files straight to the cloud. It means that it is not necessary to store anything on your C disk.
Conclusion
The cause of sluggish performance of your Windows computer is not necessarily a reason to buy another machine. Often basic fixes are enough to resolve sluggishness issues.
The following steps can contribute positively to the speed of your computer: getting rid of any unnecessary software, removing temporary files, performing malware scans, and upgrading Windows. If nothing else works, then you may consider upgrading to an SSD or adding more RAM. Consistent preventive maintenance and safe computer practices can prevent the computer from experiencing the same problems in the future.
Keeping a fast Windows PC balanced requires a thoughtful combination of software good habits, periodic cleanups, and healthy hardware maintenance. A slow computer usually isn’t slowed down by one cause; slow downs are caused by the cumulative effect of digital clutter, a full storage drive, and old software draining resources.
You can avoid a bottleneck in the system performance right at the start by taking charge of startup applications, running system tools bundled with Windows- Disk Cleanup, performing regular antivirus scans, and keeping the storage drive at least 15% empty. With software tuned to the hilt and a computer struggling with general multitasking, the quickest way to pump new life into your machines is to swap the old hard drive for a solid-state drive (SSD) or increase the RAM.