Sure, modern PC hardware is speeding up considerably, but software, particularly the Windows OS, is keeping pace, particularly at startup. Once your system is active, performance variables such as running speed come into play. Even the latest Windows versions can encounter slowdowns, and not everyone is on board with updating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 just yet. Fortunately, many methods for enhancing Windows’ performance are versatile across various iterations of the software. These tips to optimize Windows performance should help improve the situation.
How to Optimize Windows Operating System?
#1 Check your power settings
To change your power plan, open the Control Panel, go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options. You will usually find “Balanced” (recommended) and “Power saver” as the choices. On some PCs, there might be additional plans including proprietary ones from the manufacturer. For the “High performance” setting, expand the options by clicking the down arrow next to Show additional plans.
#2 Use a VPN
Why should you download VPN for PC? You will be surprised, but there are quite a few good reasons. Of course, this can improve your online activity. With the fastest VPN for Windows, you can reduce latency in games, lower ping, and sometimes even increase download speed. This approach allows you not only to improve PC performance in Windows, but also to protect yourself from hackers, save on buying a game by changing regions, or bypass regional restrictions. Of course, the requirements for a VPN provider are quite high. Without going into technical details, VeePN fits this role very well.
#3 Disable startup apps
In Windows 10, a plethora of applications have the ability to activate themselves upon system startup and persist to operate in the backdrop. This can unfortunately lead to a squander of vital system resources, culminating in a sluggish performance.
Follow the steps below to prevent applications from automatically starting up and, as a result, revitalize your system’s speed:
- Navigate to the Settings menu.
- Select the Apps section.
- Choose Startup.
- Utilize the Sort by dropdown and opt for Startup impact.
- Disable the applications you find non-essential by toggling the switch off, paying extra attention to any app labeled as “High impact” in the system assessment.
#4 Clean up your disk
To ensure your computer runs efficiently, initiate regular disk defragmentation. You can set up an automatic schedule by searching for “Optimize Drives” from the Start menu. It’s important to note, however, if you’re using an SSD (Solid State Drive) for your primary storage, disk defragmentation is unnecessary because SSDs lack the mechanical parts found in traditional hard drives.
#5 Disable background apps
If your Windows 10 machine is moving at a tortoise-like pace, you might want to consider managing background app activity. Background apps can eat up system resources, leading to performance slowdowns. Luckily, there’s a way to rein them in.
Here’s a speedy guide to help you disable background apps and get your PC back up to speed:
- Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open Settings.
- Head over to the Privacy section.
- Scroll down to Background apps on the left panel.
- You will see a list of apps with corresponding toggles. Switch off the toggles for apps you don’t need running in the background. If you’re going for maximum speed, disable them all.
#6 Run Troubleshooters
To begin troubleshooting on your Windows PC, press the Start button and simply type in “troubleshoot” to explore recommended utilities. You have the flexibility to execute these troubleshooters automatically or take the reins and operate them manually. To ensure comprehensive diagnostic coverage, don’t hesitate to run additional troubleshooters like ‘Hardware and Devices’, ‘Windows Store Apps’, and ‘Search and Indexing’. Moreover, if you’re operating on an older, slower PC, consider deactivating Search Indexing, which can enhance performance as highlighted in tip 11.
If you see an error with a specific code, it is better to enter it into a search engine. At the same time, do not forget about security, use free VPN for Chrome, strong passwords and other precautions. It is often possible to find better and faster solutions for specific errors.
#7 Stop OneDrive from syncing
Built directly into Windows 10, Microsoft’s OneDrive provides a seamless cloud storage solution, ensuring your files are synchronized across all your devices. Not only is it an efficient way to keep your data current, but it also serves as a reliable backup system. In the unfortunate event of a PC or hard drive failure, your files are safely stored in the cloud, ready for recovery.
However, OneDrive’s continuous syncing process might impact your computer’s speed. If you suspect that OneDrive synchronization is causing your PC to lag, there’s a straightforward fix. Temporarily disabling OneDrive sync can potentially enhance your system’s performance, giving you the chance to determine if OneDrive is the culprit. Before deciding to switch off this feature for good, it’s important to verify whether it’s indeed responsible for any system slowdowns.
#8 Configure ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost has been a part of the Windows suite for quite some time now, offering users with older hardware a method to enhance their system’s performance. By utilizing a USB flash drive or an SD card as a caching tool, it can accelerate your computer’s operation. However, if your device is equipped with an SSD, ReadyBoost won’t be enabled since an SSD provides a faster speed that renders ReadyBoost unnecessary.
Want to give your PC a boost with ReadyBoost? Simply follow these steps with a USB flash drive:
- Navigate to File Explorer.
- From the navigation pane on the left, click on “This PC”.
- Look for the “Devices and drives” section, then right-click your connected USB flash drive and pick the “Properties” option.
H2 Conclusion
These measures can squeeze more performance out of your hardware and operating system. Of course, everything has its limit. Then you can think about overclocking the processor, adding RAM and SSD. In any case, the software part is important and maintaining it in working order is simply necessary.