So, after a few years of loyal service, your computer is starting to lag. Sounds familiar? If so, you are not the only one who has experienced intermittent or consistent slowing down of your loyal desktop or laptop.
In this post, we’ll talk about ways to speed up your slow computer and share a few easy tips on how to do it. Read on to find out more.
Start with the Basics
There are several ways to speed up your computer, and the effectiveness of each method may depend on the specific issues your computer is facing. Here are some general tips to help improve the speed and performance of your PC.
1. Update Your Operating System:
This is where you start before trying anything else. Your Windows must be updated periodically. And if new software updates are pending installation, your computer will act up until fully updated and rebooted. PC (Windows) users must keep their operating system and software up-to-date. Besides, those updates often include performance improvements and security fixes.
2. Check for Malware:
Run a complete antivirus and anti-malware scan to ensure your computer does not have malicious software that could slow it down.
3. Check for Resource-Hungry Programs:
Use the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to identify and close resource-hungry programs that may be running in the background and consuming system resources.
4. Free Up Disk Space:
Make sure you have enough free space on your storage drive. Erase unnecessary files, old programs, and temporary files. You can use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup on Windows or Disk Utility on macOS.
If you don’t see much of an improvement after performing these four steps, try the following options.
Speed Up Your Computer by Disabling Startup Programs
Many programs automatically start when you boot up your computer, which can result in a slowdown. You can speed things up by shutting off unnecessary startup programs. Those can be managed in the task manager (Windows) or system preferences (macOS).
Windows Version
There are several ways to disable a startup program in Windows.
For example, you can use the Settings application. To do that:
1 Launch the Settings app
2 Choose Apps and opt for Srartup navigation
3 Click on the toggle switch next to an active app to disable it.
Alternatively, you can use the MSConfig to do just that:
- Press Win + R on the keyboard and open the Run window
- Type msconfig in the Run text window and click OK.
- To disable this feature, uncheck the Load startup items checkbox on the General tab.
- Then, click Apply and select the OK to save the updated boot settings.
- Click Restart when prompted.
However, using the Task Manager might be the easiest way to turn off a program:
- Type the Task Manager in the search window of your desktop screen.
- Navigate to the Startup tab.
- Click the Disable option after right-clicking on the enabled application.
Related: Ubuntu vs. Windows: The Ultimate 2023 Comparison.
Mac Version
To sort out startup-related issues on a Mac, please follow these steps:
- Choose the Apple menu, go to System Settings, and click General in the sidebar. Then click Login Items on your right.
- Make a list of the login items in the Open at Login list, as you will need to remember them later.
- Select all of the login items, then click the Remove button.
- Choose Apple menu – Restart.
If this solves the problem, open the Login Items settings again and add the login items one at a time, followed by a reboot after each one.
When the problem occurs again, follow the steps above to remove only the last login item you added.
Speed Up Your Computer by Upgrading to/Replacing the SSD Drive
If you have an older computer, chances are, it comes with a standard 3.5-inch PC or 2.5-inch laptop hard drive (HDD). If you have Windows 10 or 11 installed, this could be the single reason for inadequate computer performance.
Upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly improve system speed and responsiveness. Nowadays, SSDs come in all shapes and sizes. Once you decide on the amount of GB/TB storage and brand, the replacement part is fairly easy and can be done at home with the help of a precision screwdriver set.
Start with backing up your HDD. Then, clone it to the new SSD, put it in your laptop or PC, and that’s it!
The Last Resort: It May Be Time to Upgrade to a Newer Model
Sometimes, it is just not worth fixing or upgrading your computer, especially if it is a couple of years old. Instead, consider selling your laptop or desktop or trading in for some store credit. Given that parts and labor are expensive while the market is overflowing with good, affordable technology, this may be the most straightforward and reasonable solution.
Look up your laptop model on buyback sites and see if it is still worth something in as-is condition. If you have a used Mac, see if you can trade it in with Apple. And even if your device is too old to resell, take it to your local Best Buy store for free recycling.
Conclusion
Two of the most common reasons for your computer’s slowdown are pending software updates or failing storage. Usually, you can significantly speed up your Mac or PC by performing the steps discussed above. Regardless, remember to back up your important data before making significant changes to your computer. And if you need help, seek assistance from someone knowledgeable or a professional repair shop. Lastly, you may resell, donate, or recycle your computer and get a newer one instead!
