The 10 Best Ways to Optimize Windows 10

Before you spend a single penny on a newer, more powerful Windows-based PC, be sure your existing one is performing optimally.

There are various things you may attempt to enhance your present setup, ranging from minor hardware modifications to Windows customizations to basic maintenance. Here's how to get the most out of your computer while spending the least amount of money.

1. Restart Your PC

It may appear to be an old joke: "turn it off, then turn it back on." But the reason this has been repeated so frequently is that it is true. From poorly-developed software that don't erase the memory they consume to viruses, a lot of digital cruft builds in your PC's memory over time. Restarting your computer will temporarily remove some of this.

2. Add RAM

While updating hardware components is more difficult than merely clicking a few buttons, it can produce the best results. One of the simplest ways to increase your computer's Random Access Memory (RAM). The more RAM your computer has, the more data it can manage at the same time, including running programmes and dealing with files. So, if you have the funds, purchasing and installing some more RAM can significantly improve your speed.
Check out this guide to determining the type of RAM you require for your PC. Then, for further information on how much RAM you require, visit our buyer's guides for desktop RAM or laptop RAM.

3. Upgrade to an SSD

Older PCs may still have mechanical hard drives, which will not only fail as they age, but will never compete with the speed of SSDs. These drives use magnetic platters with a reader (similar to a record needle) that moves across them to read and write data. Modern Solid State Drives (SSDs), on the other hand, store data in cells that can be accessed electronically. That speeds up any action, from reading a programme into RAM to launching it to rendering out your latest YouTube video.
First, review our overview of the various drive kinds. Then, to make your existing hard disc your primary drive, follow this procedure to copying it to an SSD.

4. Disable Start-Up Programs

One likely cause of your PC's latency is that certain apps you've installed launch on startup. They may sit in the system tray and never appear, yet they use processing power and RAM. Making sure you're just running the programmes you need means you're freeing up resources for other apps.
Turn off the programmes you don't use on a regular basis by using the toggles on the Settings > Apps > Startup screen. Don't worry; you can always return and re-enable them if you realise you're missing them.

5. Adjust Power Profile

You could suppose that something named "Power Profile" is only essential for laptops that run on batteries. The "power" you feel from your computer is determined by how many bits of data it travels through its internal components, from CPU to RAM to storage or network, and vice versa. And the more quickly it accomplishes this, the more electricity it uses.
If you have a laptop, click on the battery indicator in the system tray, where you may adjust the power level of your computer with a slider. Open the Control Panel, click Power Options, and make sure the highest-performance option is chosen for desktop devices.

6. Update Software & Drivers

It's critical to keep up with PC upgrades since they contain improvements to performance, security, and usefulness. There are three major areas to consider for staying current:

• Windows Updates: Open the Settings app, navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update, and then click Install now if any updates are available.
• View all optional updates, which can install updated hardware drivers, from the same screen.
• Program Updates: Each application has its own process for updating, but in general, if you notice a message for an update, install it as soon as possible.

7. Run an Antivirus Scan

Malicious software might cause your system to function slower, either as part of a setup procedure to exploit your resources for malicious purposes or simply to make your life unpleasant. Running your antivirus on a regular basis may guarantee that these bad actors are eradicated and your system functions at peak performance.
Remember to install any antivirus-related updates that are given to you. Antivirus software is itself software, and it is only as clever as the most recent batch of virus definitions it receives from its creator.

8. Disable Windows Visual Effects

Rendering graphics is one of the most processing-intensive activities a computer can perform. If your system lacks a specialised graphics hardware, utilising Windows Visual Effects might degrade overall performance.
You may change these options by opening the Settings app, navigating to System > About, and then tapping on the Advanced system settings link on the right. Select the Advanced tab in the System Properties window, and then click the Settings button under Performance. You can choose to Adjust for optimum performance here (note how it turns all effects off).

9. Increase the Size of the Page File

The Windows Page File is where the operating system stores temporary data typically stored in RAM. The process of "paging" is when Windows moves data between this file and the RAM, depending on which application or service is the most "processing-intensive" at the moment. Increasing the size gives Windows more space to stash this temporary data and can help improve stability and prevent crashes.

From the System Properties dialog, click Settings under Performance, then switch to the Advanced tab. Under Virtual Memory, click the Change button, and make your adjustments in the Virtual Memory dialog.10of 10

10. Defragment Your (Older) Hard Drive

When Windows saves your data to older mechanical disks, it often won't keep it all in the same location. Instead, it saves pieces of the data across the disk then re-assembles them when needed. So when files are saved and deleted over time, which creates gaps in the disk. Over time, the reader needs to move more and more to gather all the parts to recreate files.

Defragmenting the disk compacts all this data closer together, and disk reads and writes become quicker. All this equals better performance for your PC. Open the Storage screen in the Settings app click the Optimize Drives link to get started.

FAQs

1. How can I make my PC downloads faster?

Slow download rates in Windows are mainly caused by network issues. Moving closer to the router, switching to a wired connection, or resetting your network gear are all options. Check that nothing is using up bandwidth, such as streaming platforms or online games.

2. How can I speed up a Windows 10 laptop?

The tips above should work whether you're using a laptop or a desktop computer. The primary distinction is that your laptop may have two power profiles: when it is on battery power and when it is plugged in. In general, a laptop performs better while plugged in since Windows does not need to make any modifications to reduce consumption and improve battery life.

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