If you're a laptop user, you know the frustration of a slow machine. A slow laptop can make even simple tasks feel like a chore, and can be especially frustrating when you're in a hurry or trying to meet a deadline.
If your computer is over a year old, studies show that it is more than likely that your computer is not running as nearly as fast as it should be/ its not as fast as it was when you first got it. Well there can be many reasons like software issues, malware or faulty hardware. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to speed up a slow laptop and improve its performance. Here are some tips to try:
Latest Windows Update
Do you think Windows updates are unnecessary and just a waste of time and data? Outdated operating systems and drivers can cause your laptop to run slower and experience problems. To ensure that your laptop is running at its best, be sure to keep your operating system and drivers up to date. All software are updated from time to time to make it better. Software updates gives new and interesting features, fixes bugs and also improves the performance. So it is necessary that we keep our devices updated with the latest software.
One of the best ways to get the most out of your PC is to make sure you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed. When you check for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can also help improve your PC’s performance.
To check for updates Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
If the status says "You're up to date," go to the next tip and If the status says "Updates are available," then select Install now.
It will take time depending upon when you last updated windows. Do not interfere when windows is updating, it might cost you to reinstall windows. After the updates are downloaded your PC will show you notification that it needs to restart to install the updates. Do as directed. After the updates are finished restart your PC once again and see if it seems to run better.
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Close unnecessary programs and windows
One of the easiest ways to speed up a slow laptop is to close programs and windows that you're not using. Every open program and window takes up some of your laptop's memory and processing power, so closing them can free up resources for other tasks.
To close a program or window, click on its icon in the taskbar (the bar at the bottom of the screen) and then click the "X" in the top-right corner. You can also use the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keyboard shortcut to bring up the Task Manager, which allows you to end tasks and programs that are running in the background.
Check for viruses/malware and remove them
Viruses and malware can slow down your laptop by taking up valuable system resources and clogging up your hard drive with junk files. If you think your laptop might be infected, it's important to run a virus scan to remove any malicious software.
Other symptoms of virus infection include unexpected pop-up messages, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working. Make sure you PC has an Antivirus installed. I would suggest you should go for Quick Heal Internet Security or Total Security.
The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping the virus database up to date. However, even if you take precautions, your PC can still become infected.
All PC running windows 10 come with an inbuilt antivirus and antimalware known as Windows defender. Antivirus software can remove all malicious software and make your PC clean. Let's take a look on how to use Windows Defender.
1. Click on the Start button at the lower left corner of your screen > Go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Security(on the left panel) > Open Windows Security > Virus and Threat Protection > Quick Scan.
2. If your PC is infected with any kind of malicious software or hack tool Windows defender will notify you and you can then take actions. If needed Windows Defender will ask you to run the recommended Advanced scan(this takes a lot more time).
3. If your PC is clean then you do not need to worry. Go to the next tip.
You can use a free antivirus program like Windows Defender or Avast to scan your laptop for viruses and malware. Just make sure to keep your antivirus program updated, as new viruses and malware are constantly being released.
Note: Too many Antivirus programs also slows down your PC. Choose the best and uninstall the extra antivirus programs. These also slow down your PC. Use QuickHeal Total Security or Internet Security, they are the best in the market.
Optimize your Startup apps
When you turn on your laptop, it loads a number of programs and services that run in the background. These programs and services can slow down your laptop's startup time and take up valuable system resources.
Have you ever noticed that your PC takes too much time to completely load when you start it every time? If yes then your PC might be running many startup apps which slows down your PC and it takes time to load. When you turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs so they don’t run when your PC starts. Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows does. You don’t realize they're running, but they'll open quickly when you go to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but not for programs you don’t use often because it increases the time it takes Windows to start.
To stop a program from starting automatically
1. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Apps > Startup .
2. In the Startup Apps area, find the program you want to stop from starting automatically and set it to Off.
Defragment your hard drive
Over time, the data on your laptop's hard drive can become scattered and fragmented, which can slow down your laptop's performance. To fix this, you can use a disk defragmentation utility to reorganize the data on your hard drive and improve its performance.
To defragment your hard drive, go to the "Start" menu and type "defragment." Click on "Defragment and Optimize Drives," then select the drive you want to defragment and click "Optimize." This process can take some time, so be sure to run it when you won't need to use your laptop for a while.
Free up hard drive space.
Over time, your laptop's hard drive can become cluttered with files, programs, and other junk that you no longer need. This can slow down your laptop by taking up valuable storage space and making it harder for the system to find the files it needs.
Over time, your laptop's hard drive can become cluttered with files, programs, and other junk that you no longer need. This can slow down your laptop by taking up valuable storage space and making it harder for the system to find the files it needs.
Check your Hard Disk
Hard Disk is the place where all your files are stored. If hard disk is full or somehow gets corrupted your PC will slow down. You can even face problems with windows if your HDD or SSD is not working properly. If your Hard drive is full remove some of your unimportant files from the D drive(Local Disk:D) or you can uninstall some unimportant applications or multiple antivirus programmes from Conrtol Panel.
If there is enough space in your disk then may be your hard disk is corrupted. There are many ways by which your hard disk health can be checked like Hard Drive Self Test from the BIOS or using CHKDSK through command prompt but the most easy and fast way according to me is using your Hard Disk Manufacture's Tools.
Most major hard drive manufacturers provide free robust tools to monitor your hard drive health and performance. The first step to knowing which one to use is, of course, knowing the make of your hard drive.
If you know the make of your hard drive, you can skip this part. If you don’t, press the Win key, type “device manager,” and click when it appears in the search results. In Device Manager, unstack the “Disk drives” option and make a note of the model number of your hard drive. Next, type the model number into Google to bring up results that will show you the make of the hard drive.
After that, go to the manufacturer’s support page and search for its hard drive utility. To help you out, the following are links to the relevant download pages of some of the biggest hard drive brands are listed at the end. Each of these tools functions a little differently, but most importantly, each one has diagnostic features that let you test your hard drive health.
Clean up your laptop or desktop
A cluttered desktop can slow down your laptop by using up valuable system resources. To speed up your laptop, try organizing your desktop icons into folders and deleting any unnecessary icons. You can also consider using a desktop background that is a solid color instead of a busy image, as this can help your laptop run more efficiently.
Use a laptop cooling pad
If your laptop is running slow and overheating, a laptop cooling pad can help improve its performance. A cooling pad is a device that sits under your laptop and helps to dissipate heat, which can prevent your laptop from overheating and slowing down.
Use ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost is a disk caching software component developed by Microsoft for Windows Vista and included in later versions of Windows. ReadyBoost enables NAND memory mass storage CompactFlash, SD card, and USB flash drive devices to be used as a cache between the hard drive and random access memory in an effort to increase computing performance. ReadyBoost relies on the SuperFetch and also adjusts its cache based on user activity. ReadyDrive for hybrid drives is implemented in a manner similar to ReadyBoost.
ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to improve your PC’s performance without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, you’ll need a USB flash drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB free and a high data transfer rate.
To use ReadyBoost
1. Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
2. Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
3. Press and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if you used one instead), then select Properties.
4. Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Use this device. Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it can’t, it'll let you know.
5. After Windows determines how much free space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can use it.
When you look at the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer, you’ll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.
Note: ReadyBoost can't be used if Windows is installed on a solid state drive (SSD). An SSD is already fast, and ReadyBoost won't be able to improve its performance.
Upgrade your RAM.
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a type of memory that is used by your laptop to store data that is being used or processed by the system. The more RAM your laptop has, the more tasks it can perform at once without slowing down.
If your laptop has less than 4 GB of RAM, you might consider upgrading to a higher amount. Just be sure to check your laptop's specifications to see how much RAM it can support, and buy the appropriate type of RAM for your system.
Consider a laptop upgrade.
If you've tried all of the above tips and your laptop is still running slow, you may want to consider upgrading your laptop. This could involve replacing the hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD), which is faster and more efficient than a traditional hard drive. You could also consider adding more RAM or upgrading to a faster processor.
While upgrading your laptop can be costly, it may be worth it if it means you'll have a faster, more efficient machine.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you should be able to speed up your slow laptop and improve its performance. Remember to keep your laptop clean and organized, and be sure to run regular maintenance tasks like virus scans and disk defragmentation to keep it running smoothly. With a little bit of effort, you can turn your slow laptop into a fast and efficient machine.
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