Does your PC take forever to boot up and load or execute programs? Assuming you use it for work purposes, a slow-running PC can take a toll on your productivity. With its sluggish performance, you’ll spend more time using your PC while producing less work in the process. Before replacing it with a faster PC, though, you should consider the following tips to speed up your existing PC.
#1) Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
One of the most effective ways to improve your PC’s startup time is to disable any and all unnecessary startup program. Windows automatically loads certain programs when you boot up your program. The more programs it automatically loads, the longer it will take. By disabling unnecessary startup programs, your PC will boot up more quickly. You can find this option by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and choosing “Startup.”
#2) Clear Browser Cache
If you frequently encounter performance issues when browsing the internet, try clearing your web browser’s cache. Cached data consists of temporary internet files and “cookies.” As your PC’s web browser continues to save these files, it can consume storage space and, therefore, slow down your PC’s performance. Go into your web browser’s settings and locate the option to clear the cache.
#3) Disk Cleanup
You can often improve the performance of a PC using the Windows Disk Cleanup tool. There are multiple ways to find this tool, one of which involves using the Windows search function, though another way is to right-click the disk icon and choose “Properties,” followed by “Disk Cleanup.” Once activated, Disk Cleanup will defragment your PC’s hard drive by rearranging and organizing bits of data.
#4) Run a Virus Scan
Your PC’s slow speeds could be the result of a virus. Depending on the type of virus, it may consume some of your PC’s resources without necessarily presenting other symptoms. To see if your PC is suffering from a virus, use antivirus software to perform a system scan. The software will scan all the files on the respective drive, checking to see if they contain known malware or other suspicious data.
#5) Switch to a SSD
If your PC has a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), consider switching to a solid state drive (SSD). Unlike HDDs, SSDs don’t have any moving parts. As a result, they deliver significantly faster speeds. In many cases, an SSD will both read and write data up to five times more quickly than an HDD.