How To Speed Up A Laptop or Computer : 20+ Easy Tricks

In today’s digital age, having a fast and responsive computer is crucial for productivity and enjoyment. Over time, computers can slow down due to various reasons such as accumulated junk files, unnecessary programs running in the background, outdated software, and more. Fortunately, there are several easy and effective ways to speed up your computer without needing advanced technical skills or expensive software. in this article we describe 20 easy ways to how to speed up laptop performance, which can help increase the speed of the computer to a great extent.

Table of Contents

Reboot or Restart your PC regularly

Restarting your computer is a simple yet powerful way to speed up your computer and maintain its performance over time. By clearing memory, closing background processes, resetting system settings, and applying updates, restarting helps optimize your computer’s operation and resolve common slowdowns. Make it a regular practice to restart your computer to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently for all your computing needs.

Click on the Start menu button (Windows icon) typically located at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Select the Power icon, which resembles a circle with a vertical line inside (this is the power button).
Click on Restart from the dropdown menu. Your computer will begin the restart process.

Run a disk cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility in Microsoft Windows operating systems that helps users free up disk space on their computers by deleting unnecessary files. These unnecessary files can include temporary files, system files that are no longer needed, files in the Recycle Bin, and various other types of files that accumulate over time. Disk Cleanup helps free up disk space, which can improve overall system performance by reducing the load on your hard drive.

Click on the folder icon on your taskbar or press Win + E.
Right-click on the drive you want to clean (typically C:) and select “Properties“.
Once in the Properties window, click the “Disk Cleanup” button.
Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can free up. In Disk Cleanup windows check the boxes for the types of files you want to delete like a Temporary files, Recycle Bin etc.
Clean Up: Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm.

Uninstall unnecessary software

Over time, many users accumulate a variety of programs on their computers, some of which may have been installed for temporary use or experimentation and are no longer actively used. These unused programs can take up valuable storage space on your hard drive and may also have associated background processes that consume system resources, potentially slowing down your computer’s performance.

Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu and open it.
Click on “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” section.
Scroll through the list of installed programs and click on the one you want to uninstall.
Click “Uninstall” at the top of the window or right-click on the program and select “Uninstall”.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Disable Startup Programs

Many programs automatically launch when you start your computer, which can prolong the startup process and consume system resources unnecessarily. To speed up your laptop, review and disable unnecessary startup items using Task Manager .Disabling startup programs helps improve your computer’s boot time and overall performance by reducing the number of applications that load during startup.

Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
In the Task Manager window, click on the “Startup” tab.
You’ll see a list of programs with a status indicating whether they are enabled or disabled on startup. Right-click on any unnecessary programs and select “Disable”.

Update Your Operating System

Keeping your operating system, drivers, and applications up to date is essential for speeding up your laptop and ensuring its security and stability Updating your operating system (OS) refers to the process of installing the latest software updates and patches provided by the OS manufacturer. This maintenance task is crucial for keeping your computer secure, stable, and performing optimally. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Linux, or another OS, regular updates help address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and sometimes introduce new features or improvements to enhance user experience.

Click on the Start menu, then select Settings (gear icon). Or Win + I to open the Settings app.
In the Settings window, click on Update & Security..
Check for Updates: Click on Windows Update in the left sidebar, then click Check for updates. Windows will automatically check for available updates.
If updates are available, click Download and then Install to proceed with downloading and installing the updates.

Upgrade Your System RAM

Upgrading Your RAM is process of replacing or adding more Random Access Memory (RAM) modules in your computer system. RAM is a type of volatile memory that stores data and machine code currently being used or required by the operating system and software applications. It plays a crucial role in determining your computer’s performance, especially in multitasking scenarios where several applications or tasks are running simultaneously. Increasing RAM allows your computer to handle more tasks simultaneously without slowing down, improving overall responsiveness and multitasking capability.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Over time, files on your hard drive can become fragmented, meaning they are stored in different locations. Defragmentation is the process of rearranging fragmented data on a hard drive so that related pieces of data are grouped together and stored contiguously. When you access a fragmented file, the disk’s read/write head must move to multiple locations to retrieve all parts of the file, which can slow down read and write speeds.

Type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the Start menu and open the utility.
In the Disk Defragmenter window, select the drive you want to defragment (typically C: drive, which is your main hard drive).
Click on “Analyze” to determine if the drive needs defragmentation. The utility will display the current fragmentation level of the drive.
If recommended, click on “Optimize” to defragment your drive.

Adjust or Disable Visual Effects

Visual Effects in the Windows operating system refer to various graphical animations, transitions, and special effects that enhance the user interface experience. These effects are designed to make interactions with the operating system more visually appealing and responsive. However, enabling too many visual effects can consume system resources and may impact overall performance, especially on older or less powerful computers.

Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu and open it.
Click on “System and Security” > “System”.
In the left sidebar, click on “Advanced system settings”.
Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings”.
You can either choose “Adjust for best performance” to disable all visual effects or manually uncheck specific options you don’t need.

Clean Up Your Browser

Clearing your web browser involves removing temporary files, cookies, browsing history, and other data that can accumulate during your online activities. This process helps to free up storage space, protect your privacy, and potentially improve your browser’s performance.

Clear Browsing Data: Open your web browser and go to its settings or options menu.
Clear Cache and Cookies: Look for options to clear browsing history, cache, cookies, and other temporary files.
Remove Extensions: Disable or remove unnecessary browser extensions that you no longer use or that may be resource-intensive.

Regularly cleaning up your browser can improve browsing speed and reduce the strain on your computer’s resources, particularly if you frequently use the internet.

Check System Malware and Viruses

Checking for malware and viruses on your computer is crucial for maintaining its security and performance. Malware can slow down your system, steal your personal information, and cause various other issues. Here’s how you can check for malware and viruses effectively.

Ensure you have reputable antivirus software installed on your computer. Examples include Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Avast, and Windows Defender (built-in for Windows).
Perform a full system scan using your antivirus software. This scan will check all files and folders on your computer for any malicious software.
Make sure your antivirus software is up to date with the latest virus definitions. Antivirus programs rely on these definitions to detect new threats.

Adjust Power Settings

Adjusting your laptop’s power settings can have a significant impact on its performance and battery life. By speed up your laptop and prioritizing performance over battery conservation, you can ensure your laptop operates at its peak when plugged in. Power settings govern how your computer uses energy, balancing performance and energy conservation based on your preferences.

Click on the Start menu, then select Settings (gear icon).
In the Settings window, click on System.
In the left sidebar, click on Power & sleep.
Under Related settings, click on Additional power settings. This opens the Power Options window.
In the Power Options window, you’ll see the available power plans. Click on the one you want to use (Balanced, High Performance, Power Saver).
To customize a power plan, click on Change plan settings next to the plan you selected. .
For more detailed settings, click on Change advanced power settings.
Once you’ve adjusted the settings to your preference, click OK to save changes.

Increase Virtual Memory

Increasing virtual memory on your Windows computer involves allocating additional space on your hard drive to act as virtual RAM (Random Access Memory). This can help improve system performance when physical RAM usage is high or when running memory-intensive applications. Here’s how you can increase virtual memory.

Upgrade Your Storage Drive to SSD

One of the most impactful upgrades you can make to speed up your laptop is replacing your traditional hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid-state drive (SSD) .Using an SSD (Solid-State Drive) in your computer can significantly improve its performance and overall responsiveness compared to traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). Here’s a comprehensive overview of why you should use an SSD and how it benefits your computer.

Adding more RAM in System

Adding more RAM (Random Access Memory) is a common and effective way to speed up your computer, especially if you often experience sluggishness when running multiple applications or handling large files. Here’s a detailed guide on how to add more RAM to your computer.

Clean up System Hardware by yourself

Over time, dust and debris can accumulate inside your laptop, obstructing airflow and causing components like the CPU and graphics card to overheat. Overheating can lead to performance throttling and reduced system speed. To prevent this, regularly clean your laptop’s vents and fans using compressed air.By speed up your laptop and maintaining proper airflow, you can help extend its lifespan and keep it running smoothly.

Free up your disk space

Free up your disk space is process of removing unnecessary files and data from your computer’s hard drive or storage device to increase the available storage capacity. This can improve your computer’s performance and ensure you have enough space for important files and applications.

Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Toggle Storage Sense on.
Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize its settings.

Conclusion

Speeding up your computer doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. By following these 20 easy tricks and steps speed up your laptop, you can improve your computer’s performance and make it run like new again. Whether you’re closing unnecessary programs, upgrading your hardware, or simply keeping your system clean and updated, these tips will help you get the most out of your computer. How to speed up laptop becomes easier with these steps, ensuring your device performs at its best in every use case.