How to Speed Up a Slow Laptop Computer.
A slow laptop can be very frustrating; that’s something we can all agree on. But as we keep using our laptop, the accumulation of different files slow down the system and it can be frustrating because of how it affects our productivity. Fortunately, certain technical decluttering and maintenance will make a world of difference to speed up a slow laptop. And in this post, we will be discussing some of the ways to speed up a slow laptop computer.
Update OS, Anti-Virus Scanner and Apps
When different programs are not updated on your system, it can slow your laptop. Most apps and software will send you a notification when there is an update available. However, if you missed it or are not sure, you can find out if there is any update available by going to Start = Settings = Updates & Security = Windows Updates. If there is any update available, you can then command an update. Remember to run the anti-virus scanner regularly to remove malware from the system.
Disable Programs Running on Startup
Certain programs automatically run on startup once you start up your system. These programs will slow down the start-up process because of the number of programs that will need to start up when you are starting up. However, some are necessary, you should disable only the unnecessary ones (disabling doesn’t mean they are uninstalled, they just won’t run on startup). You do this by right-clicking the taskbar or pressing Ctrl-Shift-Escape to go to task manager and click the Startup tab, you will see a list of programs that startup with the computer, the publisher, their status and impact. You can leave those with low impact but those with high impact should be considered. However, you should leave the antivirus scanner and all those whose publisher is Microsoft. Others that you might not be sure of, you can google them to know what they are before considering disabling them.
Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Sometimes, we fill up our system with programs that we believe we will need but we don’t actually use. You should remove all those programs that you don’t use, especially if they are heavy and take up a lot of space. You can uninstall a program by searching for “uninstall program” on the search bar. Once you type the words in, it will bring up the entry that will take you to where you can uninstall programs. Alternatively, you can go to Control Panel = Programs = Programs and Features. Select the program you want to uninstall and right-click on it to uninstall.
Delete Files
If your hard drive is full, it could also slow down your computer. Some people erroneously think they can use all the space on the system but it doesn’t work that way. It is not recommended to use more than 90% of HDD and 75% SSD. So, if you have used up enough space, it might be what’s causing your laptop to slow down. Delete unnecessary files and depending on how much space you have used, some necessary ones as well. Alternatively, you can get an external hard disk to transfer important files; there are some cheap external hard drives that will serve you if you are bothered about the price. Don’t forget to clear up your Recycle Bin as well.
Run Disk Cleanup
Junks can accumulate in your hard drive and you should clean them up periodically. To clean up, go to Control Panel = System and Security = Administrative Tools = Disk Cleanup. Check the items you want to delete and click OK.
Upgrade The RAM
If you have tried all the above or you need to run a lot of programs on your system due to what you do or what you use the laptop for, you might need to invest in another RAM. We will recommend consulting somebody with technical skills to handle this aspect.
In conclusion, this list is by no means exhaustive but a combination of these tricks will help speed up a slow laptop computer if done properly.
