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Windows 10’s performance settings

It’s frustrating having to watch your Windows 10 PC crawl through daily work, life admin or entertainment tasks. This is a common feature of a computer that’s getting old, hasn’t been properly maintained, or perhaps even an undetected virus attack. However, there are different ways to remedy this. If you’re currently traversing the web with searches like, “how to speed up my laptop Windows 10”, then stay where you are because we have a few useful tips.

1. Disable startup programs

If your PC is very slow when starting up, this could be because Windows is automatically launching multiple apps. These can run in the background without you noticing each time you start your PC, hogging your computer’s processing power. The good news is CCleaner has an excellent tool to help target startup programs that may have slipped under the radar.

2. Check Windows 10’s performance settings

Visit the ‘Power Options’ menu to see if your computer is set to 'Power saver’ mode. In this mode, your computer limits overall system performance and speed to boost battery life. You can enhance your PC’s speed, one feature of Windows 10’s performance settings, by changing it to 'High performance'. Do this and your computer should become more responsive.

3. Ensure you have up-to-date antivirus software

If your PC is still running slow after you’ve changed your performance settings, ensuring that you have good, up-to-date antivirus software installed is a ‘must’. Malware can easily slow down your computer, but Avast has some excellent, free software purpose-built to protect your Windows 10 machine.

4. Reinstall Windows

This is another solution if your PC is still sluggish after you’ve adjusted various settings. We know this could take up valuable time, but it could prove helpful as it will reformat the hard drive and give your computer a fresh start.

5. Increase RAM

You can also improve your computer’s speed without adjusting its performance settings by increasing your PC’s random-access memory (RAM). If you run 2GB RAM, try upgrading to 4GB or more. Basically, having more of it is a great way to improve your PC's performance.

If you find yourself regularly typing web searches like, “how to speed up my laptop windows 10”, the tips we provided above should come in handy for improving its performance. For an easy way to give your PC the comprehensive maintenance it needs, try the free CCleaner app.

CCleaner can instantly clean and optimize your PC. The app also features useful jargon-free tools such as ‘Health Check’, allowing you to easily find and delete unnecessary system or browsing files. This helps keep your computer working at its best and increases storage space on your hard drive. It can also update all your software in one go! Defraggler, another great CCleaner app, can also help tackle fragmented files on your hard drive that could be slowing down your computer. 

To clarify, CCleaner can do the following...

Clean your browser history and temporary files and more Remove unwanted entries in the Windows Registry Disable unnecessary startup programs Uninstall and update software

Although adjusting your Windows 10 performance settings can help, remember that you should also use an optimization tool like CCleaner to give your PC the all-round maintenance it needs to keep working at its best. Why not give it a try today?

FAQs

  • How do I change my performance settings in Windows 10 or Windows 11?

    From ‘Game Mode’ to the ‘High performance’ power setting, there are various things you can do to adjust your performance settings in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can also use our Performance Optimizer tool to boost your PC’s overall performance.

  • How do I optimize Windows 10 or Windows 11 for best performance?

    Check you have the latest Windows updates installed and all your device drivers are up to date. You can use a tool like CCleaner’s Driver Updater to help you locate and update your drivers, saving you time and reducing the risk of your PC crashing.

  • How can I improve Windows performance?

    A PC’s performance depends on the version of Windows you have and your hardware. The good news is, if your PC's performance is deteriorating, a hardware upgrade isn't always needed. Use an app like CCleaner Professional to make your PC feel like new.