1. Uninstall unused programs
Over time, computers tend to accumulate programs and software that are no longer needed or used. Uninstalling these unused programs can free up valuable storage space and system resources, allowing your computer to run faster.
I regularly go through my computer’s list of installed programs and uninstall anything I haven’t used in a while. This helps reduce startup times, improves general system performance, and frees up storage on my hard drive. Removing bloatware that comes pre-installed on many computers can provide an especially noticeable speed boost.
2. Run disk cleanup and defragmentation
Running disk cleanup and defragmentation utilities can significantly improve your computer’s performance. Disk cleanup removes temporary files, empties the recycle bin, and clears system caches – freeing up space and allowing applications to run faster.
Defragmentation reorganizes files and data on your hard disk so that the operating system can access them more efficiently. I try to run disk cleanup monthly and defragmentation quarterly to keep my computer running optimally. Doing this provides a quick and easy computer speed boost.
3. Add more RAM
One of the best hardware upgrades for a slow computer is to add more RAM (random access memory). Having more RAM allows your computer to run multiple programs simultaneously and makes multitasking smoother.
For most everyday computing tasks including web browsing, document editing, streaming media etc, 8-16GB of RAM is recommended. Upgrading from 4GB to 8GB or 16GB can provide a significant speed increase, especially if you tend to have many tabs and programs open at once. Check your system requirements before purchasing compatible RAM modules.
4. Use a solid state drive (SSD)
Replacing a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid state drive (SSD) is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. SSDs have much faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs which greatly improves:
- Boot times – Starting your computer and loading the operating system
- Program/file access times – Opening apps, loading files and documents
Because there are no moving parts, SSDs are also more reliable and less prone to failure over time. The downside is higher cost per GB compared to HDDs. I recommend using a small SSD for your operating system and programs paired with a larger HDD for files and data.
5. Change visual effects/animations
Disabling unnecessary visual effects and animations in your operating system is an easy way to improve performance on slower computers. Things like transparency effects, fading menus and window animations may look nice but they drain system resources.
I disable or turn down most visual effects in the performance options. You can also boost gaming fps by disabling v-sync. Tweaking these graphics options allows the system to devote more resources to actual programs and tasks rather than aesthetics. The tradeoff is losing some eye candy.
By following these tips, I’ve been able to greatly improve the speed and responsiveness of older PCs. Little software tweaks and incremental upgrades go a long way towards making a slow computer fast again. Using common sense maintenance and adjusting settings for performance over appearance can give your system a new lease on life.
