1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Applications
Startup applications can take up a lot of time and resources when starting up your computer. To disable any unnecessary startup applications, open the Task Manager by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC. Then click on the Startup tab, select any program you do not need and click “Disable.”
2. Update Your Software
Make sure all of your software is up to date. Updates often contain code to make applications run faster and smoother. Many software vendors also offer additional tools which can speed up their application or fix certain issues that may be slowing down the program.
3. Clean Up Your Disk
Having too much junk files on your hard drive can slow down access times, effecting your Windows performance. To clean up your disk, use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup utility. This tool will scan your computer and delete unnecessary files, freeing up more space for your applications to run.
4. Add More RAM
Adding more random access memory (RAM) to your computer will ensure that there is enough memory for all your programs and applications running at once. Consider upgrading the RAM in your computer if it’s been more than a few years since you bought it.
5. Use an SSD
Swapping out your traditional spinning hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) will give you a huge performance boost. SSDs offer much faster read/write speeds and will make all of your Windows software run significantly faster.
6. Increase Processor Speed
If your computer is more than a few years old, chances are its processor is not very powerful. Consider upgrading your processor if you notice a general slowdown in all your software.
7. Keep Your Drivers Up To Date
Outdated drivers can significantly hinder your computer performance. To keep your drivers up to date, use a reliable driver-update tool such as Driver Booster. This software will scan your computer and update any outdated or missing drivers.
8. Keep Your Antivirus Updated
A slow computer is often the result of a virus or malware infection. To ensure your system is protected from malicious threats, keep your antivirus software up to date. Most antivirus apps allow you to automate updates, so you don’t have to worry about doing it manually.
9. Monitor CPU Usage
Monitoring your CPU usage can help you pinpoint problems that may be slowing down your system. To monitor your CPU usage, open the Task Manager and look for any processes that are using up an excessive amount of your computer’s resources. If you find any, consider uninstalling the associated program or look into alternative solutions.
10. Check For Malware
Malware is the leading cause of slow computer performance. To check for malware, download and run a reliable anti-malware scanner such as Malwarebytes. The software will scan your system and remove any malicious threats it finds.
11. Check Your Network
If your Windows software runs slow on certain networks or connections, there may be something wrong with your network settings or hardware. You can check your network by running the Windows Network Diagnostic tool. The tool will scan your network and report any problems it finds.
12. Disable Visual Effects
Windows visual effects, such as animations and transparency, take up a lot of system resources and can slow down your computer significantly. To improve performance, you can disable these effects by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the “System and Security” option. Then select “Performance Options” and then “Visual Effects.”
13. Turn off Unnecessary Services
Services running in the background can take up a lot of your computer’s resources and slow down software performance. To disable any unnecessary services, press Windows Key + R, type “services.msc” and hit Enter. You can then right-click any service you want to disable and select “Stop.”
14. Defragment Your Hard Drive
Fragmented files on your hard drive can slow down your computer’s performance. To defragment your hard drive, open the Windows Start Menu and search for “Disk Defragmenter.” The Disk Defragmenter will scan your hard drive and defragment any fragmented files it finds.
15. Optimize Your Power Settings
Some power settings can cause your computer to run slower. To optimize your power settings, open the Control Panel and go to the “Power Options” menu. Then select the High Performance option and apply any other changes you feel will improve your system performance.