All computers inevitably experience slower speeds at some point, and the performance can be greatly affected by how your PC reacts to software demands. Upgrading to Windows 11 and the operating system you currently have can significantly impact performance. Improving computer performance to speed up applications involves both upgrading hardware and implementing cost-effective and straightforward adjustments. Though these minor tweaks may not individually appear to enhance computer performance when combined, they can extend the functional lifespan of your PC for several years.
How to Improve Computer Performance?
#1 Change Your Power Settings
If you use Windows 10’s “Power saver” plan, you slow down your PC. This plan reduces your PC’s performance to save energy. Even desktop PCs usually have a “Power saver” plan. To instantly boost performance, change your power plan from “Power saver” to “High performance” or “Balanced.” To do this, open the Control Panel app, then go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options. You will usually find two options: “Balanced (recommended)” and “Power saver.” If available, click the down arrow to see the “High performance” setting. Other plans, including manufacturer-branded ones, may also be displayed depending on your device.
#2 Use a VPN
It’s not just internal system optimization that matters. For your computer to work well on the Internet, you must have a stable, reliable, and secure connection. To do this, use two VPN – one of the VPN features that offers to pass traffic through two servers at once. VeePN has this feature and a host of other security technologies that can optimize your computer connection and protect you from hackers and hacking.
#3 Disable Startup Apps
Many apps on Windows 10 can register themselves to start automatically during startup and continue running in the background. This can waste system resources, slowing down the overall experience. If you want to speed up your Windows 10 system, it is recommended to disable apps that run at startup, especially those that are not regularly used.
To disable startup apps on Windows 10 and improve system speed, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Apps.
- Go to Startup.
- Click the Sort by menu and select the Startup impact option.
- Turn off the toggle switch for any unnecessary apps, especially those marked as “High impact” by the system.
#4 Add More RAM to Your PC
Windows 10 uses less RAM than previous versions in terms of memory usage, but increasing RAM memory has been a proven method for speeding up devices for years. If you own a convertible or detachable laptop, you’ll likely be limited to the built-in RAM. Some business and gaming laptops allow RAM upgrades, although it can still be challenging. Adding more RAM to desktop computers is much easier, not to mention cheaper. Anybody with a basic understanding of desktop tower internals can install additional RAM within an hour.
Alternatively, you can visit a professional shop to have RAM installed, alleviating concerns about system compromise or incorrect installation. Seeking assistance from someone experienced will make the process of adding extra memory hassle-free and provide peace of mind.
#5 Use a Restore Point
To speed up your PC when you notice it mysteriously slowing down, one option is to use restore points. These can help if recently installed drivers, software, or updates are to blame. By returning your system to a previous restore point, you can revert it to its previous state before the issues arise. Keep in mind that system restoration is limited to the last seven to ten days. Your files will remain unaffected, ensuring no data loss.
Follow these steps to access a previous restore point:
- Save any open files and close all programs.
- Type “advanced system” in the search box and click on “View advanced system settings.” This will redirect you to the Advanced tab of System Properties in the Control Panel.
- Click on the “System Protection” tab.
- In the “System Restore” section, click on “System Restore” and then hit “Next” in the subsequent window.
- The most recent restore point will be displayed. Select “Next” to proceed with that restore point. To view other options, click on “Show more restore points.” Highlight your desired restore point and click “Next.”
- Click “Finish” on the final screen.
- Your system will restore to the chosen restore point and shut down. Restart your PC to complete the process.
#6 Use Drive Defragmentation
If you have a computer with older hardware and a traditional rotating platters hard drive, organizing the data can boost responsiveness. To speed up the system drive, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on System.
- Click on Storage.
- Under the “More storage settings” section, locate and click the Optimize Drives option.
- Select the drive that requires defragmentation.
- Click the Optimize button.
Conclusion
You can optimize your computer better if you reduce its resource consumption. In simple words, optimization is PC resource management. When it’s spent on background, unnecessary processes, there’s less left over for you to manage. The more you reduce RAM, CPU, and GPU waste on non-essential processes, the faster your PC will handle your tasks. The listed tips are aimed at precisely this – the redistribution of resources.