How To Speed Up Windows 10: 15 Proven Ways for Your Laptop
Is your laptop running slower than it used to? You’re not alone. Even with Windows 10’s impressive performance, computers can slow down over time due to various factors. The good news is that there are several effective ways to speed up Windows 10 and get your laptop back to peak efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll explore 15 proven methods to boost your Windows 10 performance, from simple tweaks to more advanced solutions. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, these tips will help you optimize your laptop and improve your computing experience.
Why is Windows 10 slowing down?
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand some common reasons why your Windows 10 laptop might be slowing down:
- Full hard drive
- Malware infections
- Insufficient RAM
- Too many programs running simultaneously
- Cluttered startup menu
- Outdated hardware
- Software conflicts
- Fragmented hard drive
- Unnecessary visual effects
- Pending Windows updates
- Outdated device drivers
Now that we’ve identified potential culprits, let’s explore how to address these issues and speed up your Windows 10 laptop.
1. Clean up your hard drive
A full hard drive can significantly slow down your system and take up valuable disk space. Here’s how to free up space:
- Open File Explorer (Windows key + E)
- Right-click on your main drive (usually C:) and select “Properties”
- Click “Disk Cleanup” under the General tab
- Select the files you want to delete and click “OK”
Disk Cleanup helps remove various types of temporary and unused files, including downloaded program files, junk files, system files, temporary files, and temporary internet files, to free up disk space and improve system performance.
For a more thorough cleanup, consider using the built-in Storage Sense feature:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage
- Toggle on “Storage Sense”
- Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now” for more options
For an even faster cleanup, consider using an external hard drive to offload large files.
2. Uninstall unnecessary programs
Remove programs you no longer use to free up space and reduce background processes:
- Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features
- Sort the list by size to identify large programs
- Select programs you don’t need and click “Uninstall”
3. Disable startup programs
Prevent unnecessary programs from launching at startup:
- Right-click the Start button and select “Task Manager”
- Click the “Startup” tab
- Disable programs you don’t need to start automatically
4. Run a malware scan
Malware can significantly impact your system’s performance. Use Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender) to scan for threats:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security
- Click “Virus & threat protection”
- Select “Quick scan” (or “Full scan” for a more thorough check)
5. Update Windows and drivers
Keeping your system and device drivers up-to-date can improve performance and fix bugs:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
- Click “Check for updates”
- Install any available updates
For device-specific driver updates, visit your laptop manufacturer’s support website.
6. Adjust visual effects for performance
Reduce the strain on your system and improve system performance by optimizing visual effects:
- Type “sysdm.cpl” in the Start menu and press Enter
- Go to the “Advanced” tab in the System Properties dialog box and click “Settings” under Performance
- Select “Adjust for best performance” or choose custom options
- Disabling unnecessary visual effects can help manage system resources more efficiently
7. Enable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can significantly reduce boot times:
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Click “Choose what the power buttons do”
- Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”
- Check “Turn on fast startup” and save changes
8. Defragment your hard drive
Note: Only do this for traditional hard drives (HDDs), not solid-state drives (SSDs).
- Type “defragment” in the Start menu and select “Defragment and Optimize Drives”
- Select your main drive and click “Optimize”
For faster performance, consider upgrading to a solid state drive (SSD).
9. Use ReadyBoost
If your laptop has a traditional HDD, you can use a USB drive to boost performance:
- Insert a USB flash drive
- Right-click the drive in File Explorer and select “Properties”
- Go to the “ReadyBoost” tab and select “Use this device”
10. Adjust power settings for better performance
- Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep
- Click “Additional power settings”
- Choose “High performance” or create a custom plan
11. Disable unnecessary services
Some background services can be safely disabled to free up resources:
- Type “services.msc” in the Start menu and press Enter
- Research services you can safely disable (be cautious with this step)
- Right-click on a service and select “Properties” to disable it
12. Upgrade your hardware
If your laptop is still sluggish after trying these software tweaks, consider hardware upgrades:
- Add more laptop RAM to improve multitasking performance
- Replace your HDD with an SSD
- Upgrade your processor (if possible on your laptop model)
13. Use the Windows 10 Troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that can identify and fix performance issues:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
- Select “Additional troubleshooters”
- Run the “Performance” troubleshooter
14. Reset Windows 10
If all else fails, you can reset Windows 10 to its default state:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
- Under “Reset this PC,” click “Get started”
- Choose to keep your files or remove everything
Note: Back up your important files before resetting Windows.
15. Consider a clean install
For the most thorough solution, perform a clean install of Windows 10:
- Back up all your important files
- Create a Windows 10 installation media
- Boot from the installation media and follow the prompts to install a fresh copy of Windows 10
Conclusion
By following these computer maintenance tips, you can significantly speed up your Windows 10 laptop and improve its overall performance. Remember to regularly maintain your system by cleaning up files, updating software, and running security scans to keep it running smoothly.
By implementing the tips in this guide and considering an upgrade to a newer, more powerful laptop if necessary, you can ensure a smooth and efficient Windows 10 experience for years to come.
