If you’re frustrated with your laptop’s slowness, don’t give up just yet. There are many ways to improve its performance, from spring cleaning your files and applications to updating its drivers and operating system. Here are some helpful tips. Try them out, and you’ll soon notice your laptop running like new again! Here are some laptop tips to get your machine up and running as quickly as possible.
Spring Clean Your Files and Apps
When your laptop starts to feel cluttered and unorganized, it’s time to perform a spring clean. Uninstall old programs and files and make folders to organize your files. You may be surprised to find that deleting old files will free up more space on your laptop than you thought. Also, moving files to the recycling bin can free up even more space. These are just some of the many ways to make your laptop run faster and feel like brand new again.
Performing a spring clean will make your laptop feel brand new again. To begin, uninstall programs and files that you don’t use. Download any updates for these programs or files. Next, clean up temporary files. After removing these files, make sure to back up any photos and settings that you’d like to keep on your computer. If you’re cleaning your desktop PC, you can disassemble its parts to clean them. Although it’s not necessary, you can do so if you’d like. After the spring clean, power it back up and enjoy a refreshed system.
Remove unnecessary software
One way to boost the performance of your laptop is to remove unused programs and applications. You can do this through the Windows control panel. There are several ways to access this panel. The first step is to click on the Start button and then select “Settings.” The next step is to click on Apps and Features. A list of all installed applications and programs will appear. To organize the items, sort them by name, size, or date of installation. You can also organize them by drive location.
After removing any useless apps or software, you should also uninstall unnecessary browser extensions. A smaller number of browser extensions means fewer security threats. Both Microsoft and Apple have guides that will help you clean up unwanted applications. Using these guides will help you remove unnecessary software and apps from your computer and make it feel brand new again. However, you must know that uninstalling software will not remove your computer’s privacy protection and security settings.
Update Your Operating System and Drivers
If your laptop isn’t running as smoothly as it used to, it’s time to update it! This will not only improve its performance but will also fix many bugs and security vulnerabilities. However, if you’re unsure whether you need an update, you can always manually check for it. Open the “Start” menu, click “Settings,” and then click on “Updates & Security.” From there, select the option that says, “Check for updates.”
If you’re worried that your laptop might be slowed down due to out-of-date drivers, you can download registry cleaner software to remove these files. This software can also scan your computer to detect and remove any viruses and malware. You can install Malwarebytes free to scan your computer. Once you’ve finished scanning, use the Device Manager to fix conflicts. If you’re using Windows, you can also update your operating system and drivers from the Windows Store or from the Mac App Store.
Another thing to do is to empty your recycling bin regularly. It’s easy to forget about your laptop, but too many junk files can actually make it run slower. Keep in mind that standard HDDs lose efficiency at 90 percent, so don’t let yours go above 75 percent. Whenever you update your OS, you’ll need to reboot your laptop to make the changes take effect.
Add More RAM
Adding More RAM to your laptop can be an easy fix if you want to give it a new lease on life. RAM modules are readily available from online retailers and RAM prices range from $25 to $55. Depending on the notebook, you might need to replace a memory card and swap out the RAM. This process should take anywhere from five to ten minutes, depending on the model. Before you begin, be sure to turn off your laptop and unplug its power adapter. Static electricity can be discharged if you touch a metal surface to remove a memory module.
To check your computer’s memory usage, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del. Look for the “Physical Memory” section. If your RAM level is below four gigabytes, your computer is running low on memory. You can also check your RAM level by checking Windows Task Manager to see which slots are in use and how much memory is being used by the operating system. If you notice a drop in performance, it’s time to add more RAM.
Replace Your Hard Drive With an SSD
When you’re ready to upgrade your computer, one of the easiest ways to make it feel brand new again is to replace the hard drive with an SSD. Although this was previously a more expensive option, new SSDs can now be purchased for under $100. Thankfully, upgrading your hard drive does not require specialized technical skills, and anyone with access to a screwdriver can do it themselves. You can also use cloning software to copy the contents of your current drive onto the new drive.
First, you’ll want to find an external drive case to house the SSD. This device is also known as an external drive sled. The external drive sled connects to your computer through a USB port. You’ll need cloning software for this process, as well as a drive sled or drive enclosure to store the SSD. Once you have an external drive case, you can swap it into your laptop.
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Clean Your Laptop’s Exterior
If your laptop has become dirty and dingy over the months, it’s time to give it a much-needed clean. Begin by wiping the exterior down with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, purchase a special cleaning wipe for electronics at your local electronics store. Never use any harsh or abrasive cleaners on your laptop, as these can harm its finish.
After wiping down the exterior of your laptop, you should clean the touchpad and keys with a damp cloth. You can also use compressed air to clean the ports and cooling vents. Just be sure to spray it from a distance away from the computer to avoid damaging the fans. You can also use a cotton swab to hold fan blades in place while you clean.
Once you’ve finished wiping down the exterior of your laptop, it’s time to tackle the interior. Clean the keyboard and touchpad to improve its responsiveness and appearance. Be sure to clean the LCD and flat-panel displays, as well. A bit of dust in the internals is bad for the processor’s heat sink, so be careful to clean them carefully. You can even use a spray bottle of solvent or canned air to clean the interior of the laptop.
Clear your internet cache
One way to boost the performance of your laptop is by clearing your internet cache. By clearing your internet cache, you’ll free up more storage and speed up your machine. You can do this manually or use an application to do it for you. You’ll need to clear cookies as well as your browser’s cache. These cookies are used to track and store information about your preferences and habits. Cleaning them is easy and will free up several gigabytes of space on your laptop.
If you’ve been experiencing problems loading websites, check with your ISP and MIS department. If the issue persists, consider switching to a different ISP. Go to Tools > Safety menu. If you’re using a mouse, click Ctrl+Shift+Delete. Choose Temporary Internet Files and Cookies. Click Remove to delete these files. You can skip the next step.
Clean startup applications
To clean your startup applications to make your laptop feel brand new, you can either disable them or launch them manually. In most cases, you should disable applications that don’t have any real need. This includes programs like antivirus and Steam, but not Adobe Reader. If you aren’t sure which applications to remove, open Windows Task Manager and select the “Startup” tab. From there, you can select programs to delete.
To clean up the startup applications, go to Windows 10’s settings menu, click Apps, and then select the Startup tab. Next, you can see a list of startup applications and their impact on performance. Click on the toggle switch to block them or allow them to start. You should notice a noticeable improvement in performance afterward. You can even choose to permanently disable the apps that aren’t essential.
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