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How to speed up your computer

We all want a computer that works at an optimum speed. But sometimes it feels like it takes forever. And we all suspect that there’s something we can do. But we don’t always know how to make it faster. There are several factors that can contribute to your computer running slow, and they generally get worse with time. This post explores these factors and provides suggestions on ways to speed up your computer.

How to free up disk space

Empty space is crucial for reading, writing, and manipulating data. This space is also used for Windows updates and the general running of the computer. There are three fundamental ways to clear disk space and speed up your computer.

You can:

  • Uninstall software that you don’t use often

  • Get rid of any unnecessary files

  • Save files to cloud storage or an external disk

Tip 1. Uninstalling unnecessary software

Sometimes we purchase or download software to our machine without thinking. It might be used once and never again. This takes up vital space. It is important to remove this software once it is no longer needed.

Also, as if the unnecessary software wasn't enough; some computer manufacturers ship their machines with bloatware you do not need. To uninstall these programs, use the following tools, depending on your version of Windows.

Uninstall the software from:

Windows 7 – Launch 'Programs and Features' Windows 8 – Launch 'Uninstall a Program' Windows 10 – Launch 'Apps & Features'

Tip 2. Saving files to cloud storage or an external disk

It is no mystery what is filling up your storage – files. To prevent your files from clogging up the system, you might consider saving your files to a location away from your computer. Cloud technology has made this possible.

Some of the services on offer include cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, etc. Many of these have a free service, so you can store a certain amount on a cloud platform without it costing you a penny. As an alternative, if you cannot make use of cloud storage, an external drive will be ideal. This is a great way of speeding up your computer.

Tip 3. Get rid of unnecessary files.

If you ever had the time to explore your computer, you would notice that you have a stack of duplicate files. Looking through your folders, another thing you would notice is the junk files.

If you see a file with a weirdly long name, it is not necessarily junk, but could well be. Duplicate files, temporary internet files, and junk files can take up valuable space within your computer. Removing them will go a long way to speed up your computer.

Tip 4. For quicker boot times, disable startup programs

When your computer boots, Windows launches certain programs automatically. You need some of them, but you can do without others. If you disable them, you will not notice anything, except for the fact that your machine takes way less time to boot. Follow the steps below to learn how to speed up your computer using this method.

Step 1: Press the 'Windows' key and 'R' together.

Step 2: Enter 'msconfig' and hit 'Enter'.

Step 3: From the 'Services' tab, tick 'Hide all Microsoft services.'

Step 4: Uncheck the programs you won’t need at startup.

If you ever change your mind about these products, carry out steps 1 and 2, and on the services list, check the programs you would want to use during startup.

Tip 5. Defragment your drives

The Windows Disk Defragmenter is a great tool to carry out this operation. By now, you already know that having free space on your computer can boost how quickly it performs. If you are learning how to fix a slow computer, then this is definitely something to make a note of.

Defragmenting does not exactly free up disk space, but it can make your computer faster. What it does is organize your hard disk and arrange files for your system.

The defragmentation process can take some time, especially if you’ve never done it before. But the time spent doing it is worth it. To find the defragging application, search for 'defrag' in the 'Start Menu' and click 'Disk Defragmenter.' If you are on a Windows 7 PC, you can find it here: 'All Programs' > 'Accessories' > 'System Tools' > 'Disk Defragmenter'.

NOTE: Do not defrag a solid-state drive (SSD).

Tip 6. Disable animations

Windows has some features that are primarily for aesthetics. Animations and transitions are some of those features. On a new PC or one with top-of-the-line specs, they look great and add some swag to your user experience. However, they also impact your computer speed.

To make your computer faster, disabling animations can help.

Here’s how to fix a slow computer:

  • On Windows 7 and 8, navigate to 'Control Center' > 'Ease of Access Center' and hit 'Make the computer easier to see.' From that window, make sure the 'Turn off unnecessary animations' checkbox is unchecked.

  • On Windows 10, navigate to 'Control Center' > 'Ease of Access Center' and hit 'Turn off unnecessary animations.'

Animations use a lot of processor juice, and so, disabling them will not only increase your computer speed, it will also improve your battery life. Win-win!

Tip 7. Remove viruses

Have you taken the above steps but are still wondering how to improve your computer's performance? Your system may be infected with a virus. Don’t worry too much. Some programs are not quite viruses per se, but their mere presence causes issues. Getting rid of viruses and malware is a great way to speed up your computer.

What is the solution? The solution is really simple. You should install antivirus and or anti-malware software. And it is vitally important to keep these up to date. Also, do not forget to enable real-time protection.

Verdict

Life is too short to waste on waiting for a slow computer. However, with the help of the advice above, you now know how to speed up your computer. If all these tips overwhelm you, you don’t need to worry about them; there’s an app for that – you can actually increase your computer speed using CCleaner.

CCleaner speeds up computers by updating your software, cleaning up your machine, and helping you disable programs that can slow down your computer's startup procedure.

FAQs

  • How do I fix a slow computer for free?

    There are so many things you can do by yourself to fix a slow computer for free like disabling needless startup programs, cleaning junk files, updating old device drivers, and more. CCleaner can do it all!

  • What to delete to make a computer faster?

    Certain files and programs are essential for keeping your computer running properly, but things like temporary files, unused apps, browsing data or the contents of deleted file folders are all things that can potentially be removed.

  • How can I make my PC games run faster?

    Personal computers may not be games consoles, but with the right hardware and software you can make your computer just as, if not even more, powerful. CCleaner can help keep your overall PC in good health while you play games.