Some apps are better than others and some may take up more space which can cause speed issues. Ideally, you would find software that is efficient and completely removes malware, but doesn’t take up too much space on your computer.
- The Main Focus Areas to Make Windows 10 Faster
- Windows 10 Operating System Speed Tweaks
- 1. Turn On Game Mode
- 2. Turn Off Visual Effects
- 3. Speed Up Your Processor
- 4. Turn Off Auto-Starting Programs
- So How do we increase computer speed and make it run faster?
- Amplify Your System’s Memory
- Spring cleaning pt. 1
- The best overall antivirus
- Norton 360 Deluxe
- Spring cleaning pt 2
- Signs Your Computer May Have a Virus
- Safety Measures for Computer
- Panda Security
- Check for spyware and viruses
- Use Disk Cleanup and defragmentation
- Turn off search indexing
- Turn off Windows tips
- Clean Up Your Disk
- Add More RAM
The Main Focus Areas to Make Windows 10 Faster
There are three main categories of Windows 10 performance optimization:
- Operating system improvements
- Software improvements
- Replacing or removing the application
While hardware upgrades also work, such as buying more RAM or investing in an SSD, they cost money, so we’re going to skip them. Let’s start with the most effective ways to speed up Windows 10.
Windows 10 Operating System Speed Tweaks
1. Turn On Game Mode
The latest version of Windows 10, the Creators Update, adds a new feature known as Game Mode. Unfortunately, there’s no way to run Game Mode all the time, but you can activate it by pressing Windows Key + G. However, you’ll need to turn on Game Mode first.
To enable Game Mode (only available in Windows 10’s Creators Update), go to Settings> Games and select Game Mode. Tap the switch under Game Mode.
It should only be used in games, but you can activate it when you need to speed up a bit. This is especially useful if you have a lot of background applications dragging your resource-intensive program down.
Unfortunately, Game Mode only improves game performance by a few percentage points.
Even so, some of you will experience greater performance gains than others. Fewer applications running in the background can improve performance where no other tricks will help. Theoretically, the game mode can run in any application that uses GPU acceleration. If you want to try it out in Adobe Premiere, give it a try.
2. Turn Off Visual Effects
Windows offers a really easy way to turn off all visual enhancements.
- Go to System> Advanced System Settings.
- Select Advanced from the tabs above.
- In the Performance section, select Settings.
- Left-click the Customize for best performance option button to turn off all visual effects.
Turning off visual effects disabled on several systems seems to have a big impact, especially on older computers. On the other hand, things aren’t going to look that nice. We recommend that you leave the smooth edges of screen fonts turned on as this helps when reading text.
3. Speed Up Your Processor
Windows has three default settings for processor frequency increments. The three default values are Balanced, High Performance, and Energy Saver. Sometimes manufacturers include custom plans here as well.
You are almost always better off on a laptop with the Balanced or Power Saver plans, but high performance can make Windows run faster by turning your battery life into power. Since it consumes the most energy, it is also more suitable for desktops.
You can change your settings by going to Power Options in the Control Panel.
4. Turn Off Auto-Starting Programs
When you install a program, it sometimes tries to run silently in the background. This is fine for only a few programs, but the performance impact is additive. With enough programs to run automatically, your entire system will get stuck.
Getting rid of unnecessary startup software is absolutely essential for performance. Fortunately, Windows makes it easy to remove most auto starters.
To remove automatically started applications, follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to go to the Windows Task Manager.
- Select the Startup tab at the top of the screen.
- From the Startup tab, you can eliminate most auto-launching applications.
Most of the available applications do not need to run in the background, unless they are pre-installed on your computer (and even these are often bloatware). Unfortunately, some programs hide in other locations, but hidden auto-starts can also be found and eliminated.
You can also check out the other notification options as well as disable some of them. I don’t think any of the others slow down your PC, but they can be annoying.
So How do we increase computer speed and make it run faster?
You will need to check both your hardware and software as both can slow down your computer. In addition to the usual tips and tricks of common sense, you need to use the tips below to breathe new life into your existing computer and charge it enough for top speed, which is no less than a Ferrari!
Have you ever wondered where the ingenuity of your machine for billions and trillions of operations per second came from? It is the computer’s processor or integrated circuit (IC) that performs computations at razor speed using an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and a control unit (CU). Also called a microprocessor or processor (Central Processing Unit), this small but powerful electronic circuit enables a personal computer to perform simple and complex arithmetic / logic / control operations and other basic system instructions that are received as keyboard / mouse input and then decoded and processed to generate the requested output.
The processor sits on a main circuit board called the motherboard, which houses a series of critical electronic components and connectors for external peripherals. While the processor facilitates the execution of various applications and programs, the role of the motherboard is to allow communication between the various electronic components of the machine which are built into the motherboard. Therefore, using a combination of a powerful processor and motherboard is one of the surest ways to dramatically change the speed of your computer.
Currently, a single chip is equipped with multi-core processors that use the core logic of two or more processors to ensure the highest performance through efficient and parallel processing of multiple tasks. When it comes to choosing first-class processors for your Windows PC, Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices.
If you are looking for the best Intel processors to speed up your personal computer, you can choose one of the Intel Core i3, i5, i7 or i9 processors depending on your budget and performance needs. Admittedly, choosing from Intel’s huge set of model numbers is quite confusing, especially when you can narrow down your search based on multiple specifications, such as the generation to which the processor belongs, the number of cores that characterize it, the availability or unavailability of features such as Hyper-threading and Turbo Boost, the number of clock cycles that the processor can perform per second (denoted as GHz), the quantum of tasks that can be performed with each clock cycle, the amount of cache built into the processor, etc.
To alleviate the dilemma of choosing the most appropriate Intel processor to suit your various applications and requirements, we have compiled a concise list of the standout features of each Intel Core i processor to help you make an informed decision.
While the Core i3 is the cheapest of the three, it also ranks lowest when it comes to high-speed performance. However, the fact that it supports dual-core CPUs and hyper-threading ensures it still has enough power to deliver reasonable performance under load, provided your usage is limited to light activities such as checking and replying to emails , working with text documents, surfing the Internet, and playing games that don’t use up a lot of energy.
Amplify Your System’s Memory
In addition to a sharp CPU, your device also needs adequate memory to handle copious use of heavy applications. Your computer’s working memory, or RAM (random access memory), temporarily stores the operating system (OS), applications, and other files that are currently in use by the system.
RAM, also known as virtual memory, allows the computer’s processor to retrieve the necessary information at a faster rate without constantly having to access the system’s long-term memory or the hard disk (HDD) to retrieve and store information. Therefore, it is wise to expand your computer’s virtual memory to at least 8 GB or more for decent performance. However, if heavy applications are frequent, a minimum of 16 GB of RAM is desirable.
If you want to use an older PC as an additional gaming PC, you can always enjoy Steam home streaming. Home Steam Streaming runs games on your powerful gaming PC, but pushes them over your home Wi-Fi network so you can play them on other devices. It’s like playing in the cloud, but in your home.
Spring cleaning pt. 1
If snipping the bootloaders doesn’t get the job done, it’s time to try a deeper cleanup. Eliminate any programs you don’t really use – PC makers stuff computers full of bloater. Search for “Add or Remove Programs” in the Windows search box and browse the list of installed programs.
The best overall antivirus
Norton 360 Deluxe
Conduct a security review while you are at it in case malware is slowing down your system. PCWorld’s guide to the best antivirus suites can help, but the Windows Security tool built into Windows 10 and 11 does a surprisingly good job of eliminating threats. Don’t bother with defragmenting your memory. You shouldn’t even defragment SSDs, and if you have a traditional spinning hard drive, most modern operating systems do the job automatically.
Spring cleaning pt 2
Search your hardware while you are busy removing all unwanted software. Ideally, you should clean the inside of your PC once a year, but let’s be honest – most people never contest opening the case and blow up hordes of chicken rabbits. Over time, this accumulated mass can wreak havoc on the temperatures inside your computer, which in turn causes your computer’s components to either slow down in performance to compensate for the rise in temperature, or simply have problems.
No kidding: A family member called me one time because his computer was slow and not responding. Just removing a few inches of dust inside his machine made the system run like new. Check PCWorld’s guide on cleaning your computer before opening the case. (Why not clean the keyboard while you’re next to it? It may be rough under those buttons.)
You will need to check both your hardware and software as both can slow down your computer. In addition to the usual tips and tricks of common sense, you need to use the tips below to breathe new life into your existing computer and charge it enough for top speed, which is no less than a Ferrari!
Signs Your Computer May Have a Virus
After following the above steps to speed up your computer, you should notice a positive performance difference. However, if you still have a slow computer, your device may be infected with a virus. Here are the most important signs of a more serious computer problem.
- I keep getting unexpected pop-ups
- Your hard drive is working very hard (even after cleaning up excess files)
- Your computer is still starting slowly
- It turns out that you are running out of storage space
- You are missing files
- Programs on your computer keep crashing
- Your internet browser is slow
If you suspect that your computer may be compromised or you are unable to locate the problem yourself, it is worth contacting the operating system support team. They should be able to locate a system problem or ask you to bring the device for further inspection.
Here are the support links for popular computer systems:
Safety Measures for Computer
Since there are millions of viruses lurking on the Internet, it’s a good idea to install an antivirus program to keep your computer safe. It is also important to keep your systems up-to-date to prevent holes in the operating system.
sources
Panda Security
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard IT security solutions portfolio. Initially focused on antivirus software development, the company has since expanded its operations to include advanced cybersecurity services with cybercrime prevention technology.
Mac: From the Apple menu, go to System Preferences> Accounts> Login Items. Select the programs you want to prevent from opening automatically and click the minus sign (-) to remove them.
Check for spyware and viruses
It’s almost impossible not to detect a virus at some point while browsing the web, but the new Windows Defender software has made it easier than ever to find malware that can be causing serious problems on your PC. Third-party programs are also easy to install and can be just as effective at removing any spyware or viruses you find.
Some apps are better than others and some may take up more space which can cause speed issues. Ideally, you would find software that is efficient and completely removes malware, but doesn’t take up too much space on your computer.
Consider installing two types of computer performance monitoring software. Malware removers can fix delayed or glaring speed or popup issues. However, you should also take a look at applications that provide constant protection and run in the background. Remember that these antivirus programs take up space, so you want to pick one that doesn’t affect performance.
A little research can help you find software that works within your budget or with a specific type of operating system. If you download free software, you may experience compatibility issues, so double-check everything carefully before installing it so you don’t run into additional performance issues.
Use Disk Cleanup and defragmentation
Every computer has a number of files and programs on its hard drive that have not been used in a while or are unnecessary. Disk Cleanup finds applications and files that you can remove from your computer, freeing up disk space for programs you will use.
- From the Start button or the Cortana search box, you will be sent to the program
- A quick scan will show you temporary files, setup applications, and websites that you haven’t used or need anymore
- From there, it will automatically delete them and free up some space
The effectiveness of Disk Cleanup depends on the amount of RAM on your computer, which can also make your computer run slower than normal. In that case, it might be a good idea to have more RAM installed in your device.
You should also schedule disk defragmentation on a semi-regular basis to be aware of how much hard disk space you have. Windows has an Optimize Drives tool that you can access from the Start button or the Cortana search box. There are also many third-party programs out there that can help you remove files you no longer use.
First, use Microsoft’s Wi-Fi analyzer tool to determine which channels work best for your computer, and second, go to your router’s settings to change the channel.
Turn off search indexing
Word search results appear almost immediately in all files in the Documents library. It’s great, but it comes at a price. When you’re not searching, the indexing needed to create quick searches slows you down.
To disable all indexing:
1. Open Windows Explorer, right-click the C: drive and select Properties.
2. On the General tab, deselect Allow files on this drive to index content in addition to file properties.
3. In the warning window that appears, select Apply changes to the C: drive, subfolders and files.
You can easily disable indexing to speed up everything but search.
Windows may take some time to turn off indexing. Get up and go for a walk; it’s good for you.
There is another option that will allow you to turn off some indexing, but not all:
Type indexing in the Cortana field. Select Indexing Options. Click the Modify button in the lower left corner of the resulting dialog box.
This will bring up another dialog with two sections. And yes, it’s confusing. Begin at the bottom of the Summary of Selected Locations dialog. Click any of these options to change the contents of the top section, Change Selected Locations.
You can also choose what to index and what not, although this can be confusing.
Unchecking an item in this top section will stop indexing at those specified locations. Note that if these boxes are unchecked, checking them will turn on indexing. If your searches speed up as a result, you might consider it a good thing.
Turn off Windows tips
Windows 10 will give you tips on how to make better use of the operating system from time to time. The problem is that it monitors how you use your computer to see what guidance you need.
Yes, this sounds disturbingly as a privacy issue, but it also slows down your computer.
To turn it off, click Start> Settings. Select System, and then select Notifications and Actions in the left pane.
At the bottom of the Notifications section, turn off Get tips, tricks and suggestions while using Windows.
Windows tips can help you learn to use your computer better, but it can also slow things down.
You can also check out the other notification options as well as disable some of them. I don’t think any of the others slow down your PC, but they can be annoying.
You can also check out the other notification options as well as disable some of them. I don’t think any of the others slow down your PC, but they can be annoying.
Clean Up Your Disk
From the Start menu, type Disk Cleanup. This will open the reliable Disk Cleanup utility that has been part of Windows for several generations of the operating system. Disk Cleanup finds unwanted junk such as temporary files, offline web pages, and installer files on your computer and offers to remove them all at once. You may even find your Basket is bulging at the seams. However, in general, this will only have a noticeable effect on speed when the drive is nearly full.
If you don’t have regular disk defragmentation scheduled, set it up in the Optimize Disks tool, which can be found by typing its name into the Cortana search box next to the Start button. Note that if your main drive is an SSD, you don’t need to bother defragmenting as there are no moving parts to read the drive.
An even newer way to conserve memory usage is to turn on Storage Sense (see image above). This automatically frees up space by deleting temporary files and Recycle Bin items. For a full description of how to use this feature, see How to free up hard drive space in Windows 10.
Add More RAM
Windows 10 manages memory more efficiently than earlier versions of the operating system, but more memory can always potentially speed up your computer. However, with many modern Windows devices, such as the Surface Pro tablets, adding RAM is not an option. Gaming and business laptops often still allow RAM upgrades, but this is becoming rarer. New, slimmer ultrabooks and convertibles are usually repaired. If you’re still using a desktop computer, learn how to add RAM in this article. The websites of the larger RAM manufacturers (Crucial, Kingston, Corsair) offer a product finder that shows you what type of RAM your computer is taking up, and the prices are quite reasonable. You can get 8GB of high-performance DDR4 RAM for around $ 60.
If that’s still too much and your PC is very old, has a hard drive instead of an SSD (see below), and low on RAM, you can try using ReadyBoost with a USB stick. This causes data to be cached in the memory of the portable storage device to speed up memory access, which would be slower with a spinning hard drive. Just go to the File Explorer entry on your USB key, right-click to open Properties, and go to the ReadyBoost tab to get started. For most current systems, this feature will not be available and will not provide any performance enhancement.