By Ben Stegner
Windows users know all too well that over time, your system starts to slow down. Whether you’re facing long boot times or waiting ages to switch between programs, poor performance is frustrating and detrimental to your productivity.
5 Tips to Fix Slow Boot Times in Windows 10If your Windows 10 boot time is slow since the Anniversary Update, your're not alone. We have compiled the most common solutions to help you fix this issue fast.READ MORE
Thankfully, there’s plenty of software out there to speed up your computer. Let’s take a look at some programs that can bring your system back to its former glory.
MSConfig / Task Manager
In theory, having lots of software on your computer probably isn’t causing a slowdown by itself. When you have two dozen programs all trying to run when you first start the system, though, that’s where problems occur. The built-in utility MSConfig can help you cut down on the amount of programs that run automatically.
To access it in Windows 7, type msconfig into the Start Menu to open the System Configurationwindow. Click on the Startup tab to view everything that starts running when you boot into Windows. If you’re on Windows 8 or 10, this tab will instead refer you to the Startup tab of the revamped Task Manager.
Once in the Startup menu, you can start unchecking boxes (on Windows 7) or right-clicking and choosing Disable (on Windows 8 or 10) to prevent items from running at boot. Be sure that you know what a program does before disabling it. You don’t want to stop your antivirus or backup software from running at startup, since you need those active all the time.
If you’re not sure what to disable here, take a look at our top ten items that don’t need to run at startup. For a lot of people, common culprits might include Spotify, Steam, iTunes, and Skype. Make Windows Start Faster: 10 Non-Essential Startup Items You Can Safely RemoveSo your computer has been booting slowly lately? You probably have too many programs and services trying to start up all at once. Are you wondering how they got there and how to remove them?READ MORE
Disk Cleanup / CCleaner
You might already know, but a lot of files on your computer aren’t necessary for any program. From leftover Windows Update files to temporary data used by your web browser, you could have several gigabytes of junk just sitting around. If this is filling up your hard drive, it could affect performance.
Your best two options for cleaning up temporary data are the built-in Disk Cleanup tool and CCleaner. We’ve already discussed how to use these and other tools to completely clean your PC, so have a look at that guide for everything you need to know. The Best Way to Clean Windows 10: A Step-by-Step GuideIf your Windows 10 PC needs cleaning, here are the tools and a step-by-step process to get it squeaky clean again.READ MORE
Revo Uninstaller
While it helps to prevent non-critical software from running at startup, it’s even better to uninstall programs you don’t use. This will free up space and save resources. You can always use the Programs and Features menu in Windows to uninstall software, but going a step further with Revo Uninstaller is a good idea.
Revo allows you to obliterate every trace of a program on your system. After running the built-in uninstaller, it scans for extra pieces. However, don’t fret about the items that Revo finds in the Registry during the uninstall process. Cleaning the Registry is useless and you’re better off leaving it alone to avoid damage. Paired up with our other tips, Revo is one part of a great offense against troublesome software that might be slowing down your system. Don't Believe The Hype: Registry Cleaners Don't Make Windows FasterMuch advice has been given on how to keep your computer running smoothly, as well as how to fix it when it has become slow. We have even published a Windows on Speed guide, written...READ MORE
Disk Defragmenter
While solid state drives (SSDs) are becoming more popular, traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) are still widely used. If you use an HDD, regular defragmentation can help keep the drive performing at its best.
The built-in Disk Defragmenter / Optimize Drives tool in Windows is all most people need for defragmentation. Simply click Analyze to find out how fragmented the drive is, then Defragment / Optimize to begin the process. Modern versions of Windows perform this process on a schedule automatically, so you won’t need to manually run this utility.
If you have an SSD, you should not defragment your drive! Windows 7 and above actually perform trimming on SSDs from this menu, and won’t even let you defragment an SSD. So if you see one listed, all is still well. Why TRIM is Important to Solid State Hard Drives? [Technology Explained]READ MORE
Malwarebytes
Often a slow system is caused by lack of maintenance, but sometimes the problem actually comes from malware. Having rogue programs running on your system can impair performance in many ways, such as browser hijackers that get in the way or programs that spawn endless pop-ups on your system.
Running a solid free antivirus will help prevent these infections in the future. When you’re suffering from infection, however, download Malwarebytes Free and run a scan to sniff out anything malicious. As this junk wastes system resources and your time, purging your system of malware will get your computer running quickly again. 5 Best Free Internet Security Suites for WindowsWhich security suite do you trust the most? We look at five of the best free security suites for Windows, all of which offer anti-virus, anti-malware, and real-time protection features.READ MORE
Consider Lighter Alternatives
In some cases, you can replace slow software with a speedier alternative to keep things running quickly. One example is Google Chrome, which is notorious for hogging RAM and running slowly on low-end systems. If you can break out of Chrome’s trap, speed up your browsing by using Firefox or giving Opera a try.
Other software you use might be slowing down your experience. If you regularly work with massive PDFs, try a lighter alternative to Adobe Reader. Don’t use the awful, bloated µTorrent; replace it with a BitTorrent client that’s light as a feather. 6 Light Alternatives to Open Office & PDF FilesDon't clog your system down with superfluous bulk. For the occasional viewing of PDF and Office files, you can use compact apps and you might not need any additional software at all.READ MORE
How Do You Keep Your Computer Speedy?
This isn’t an exhaustive list of tools, but using these applications wisely should keep any computer running well enough. You don’t need expensive, shady software or Registry cleaners to make your system fast. By ridding yourself of malware, deleting old programs and files, and using light software, you can feel like you have a new system again.
Don’t forget that software can only do so much to speed up a system. Check out the hardware upgrades that will boost performance and lesser-known specs that can have an impact on your PC. Which Upgrades Will Improve Your PC Performance the Most?If you need a faster computer but aren't sure which component would be most beneficial to upgrade, then here are the guidelines you should follow.READ MORE
What’s your favorite software for maintaining PC performance? If you’ve got something to add to the list, we want to hear it in the comments!
Originally written by Angelina on October 26, 2009. Source: www.makeuseof.com
1 comment:
I've been using AVG anti-virus for a few years, and I'd recommend this Anti virus to all you.
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