Regardless of how quick or sparkly personal computers may be when they are brand new, it manages to get slower after some time. That top of the line PC you purchased a year ago may not seem like such a hot rod once you put in a few dozen applications, fill it with antivirus and antispyware tools, and download uncounted numbers of crap from the web.
The slowdown can happen so slowly that you simply do not notice it, till one day when you are attempting to launch an application or document and ponder, “Why is my PC so slow?”
No matter the cause, there are numerous solutions to help you speed up Windows making your computer work better-even with no hardware upgrades. Below are great tips that may help you make Windows 7 run faster.
Look at the Performance troubleshooter
First of all , you check out the Performance troubleshooter, which may instantly find and correct issues. The Performance troubleshooter looks at problems that may slow down your PC’s efficiency, for instance the number of end users that are presently logged in and whether or not several applications are operating simultaneously.
Start this handy tool by clicking on the Start button , and selecting Control Panel. Inside the search box, enter ‘troubleshooter’, then select ‘Troubleshooting’. Below ‘System and Security’, select Check for performance issues.
Remove programs you won’t ever use
A lot of PC companies load up new PCs with applications you did not purchase and probably do not need. These can include trial versions and special-edition of applications that program companies wish you will try, find beneficial, after which shell out some cash to upgrade to complete editions or more recent versions. Should you decide you do not need them, keeping the program on your PC could slow it down by taking up valuable memory, hard drive space, and CPU power. It’s wise to remove each of the applications you don’t intend to use.
Restrict the number of applications that run at startup
Numerous programs are made to start instantly whenever Windows starts. Software producers frequently set their applications to start in the background, which you probably don’t even know about, this helps the program open up immediately if you click the icons. That is certainly useful for applications you use lots, however, for applications you seldom or never work with, this squanders valuable memory plus slows down boot-up speed.
Decide for yourself if you need an application to operate at startup. So how do you know what applications operate automatically during startup? Often this can be totally obvious, as the application adds an icon on the notification area within the taskbar, which you will notice running. Search there to find out if you can find any applications running that you simply don’t wish to start immediately. Examine each icon to view the application name.
Make sure to select the Show hidden icons button so that you don’t overlook any icons.
Even though you looked at the notification bar, you could still overlook some applications running automatically during startup.
AutoRuns for Windows, a totally free tool that you could get from your Microsoft web page, will show you all the applications and processes running when you start Windows. You are able to stop an application from operating on auto-pilot when Windows loads by launching the AutoRuns for Windows. Clear the check box near the name of the application you would like to stop. AutoRuns is made for advanced end users.
Defrag your disk drive
Fragmentation can make your hard drive do additional work that may slow down your laptop or computer. Disk Defragmenter organizes fragmented data so that your disk drive can function more effectively. Disk Defragmenter operates on a schedule, however, you could also defragment your hard disk drive manually.
Tidy up your hard drive
Needless files on the hard drive occupy disk space and may slow down your personal computer. Disk Cleanup cleans away temporary files, cleans the Recycle Bin, and gets rid of many different system files as well as other items that you don’t need. For step-by-step directions regarding how to do that, see Delete files working with Disk Cleanup.
Operate fewer applications simultaneously
Occasionally switching your computing habits could have a big affect on your computer overall performance. If you are the kind of PC user who enjoys to maintain ten programs plus a number of web browser windows open at the same time while sending messages to your buddies, do not be surprised if the computer slows down. Maintaining many e-mail messages open can consume lots of memory.
If you discover your computer slowing down, consider if you should keep all of your applications and windows open at the same time. Look for a better solution to remind yourself to respond to e-mail messages instead of keeping every one of them open.
Be sure you are only operating one antivirus application. Operating several antivirus program could also slow down your computer and cause conflict. Thankfully, if you are running multiple antivirus application, Action Center informs you and also can assist you repair the problem.
Switch off visual effects
If Windows is a bit slow, it is possible to speed it up by stopping a few of its visual effects. It boils down to visual appeal versus functionality. Would you prefer Windows to run faster or look more attractive? If your PC is quick enough, you don’t need to make this compromise, if your computer struggles to run Windows 7, it may be beneficial to cut back on the visual special features.
You may pick which visual effects to switch off, one at a time, or let Windows decide for you. There are actually 20 visual effects you are able to control, including the transparent glass look, just how menus open up or close, and whether or not shadows are shown. To modify all visual effects for optimum performance:
Begin by clicking the Start button , and after that clicking Control Panel. Inside the search box, begin entering ‘Performance Information and Tools’, and after that, within the set of results, select it.
Select Adjust visual effects. If you are prompted for the administrator password or verification, enter the password. Select the Visual Effects tab, click on Adjust for best performance, after which select OK. (You can also let Windows decide on what’s ideal for the computer.)
Restart on a regular basis
This tip is easy. Restart your computer at least one time every week, specifically if you use it a whole lot. Restarting your personal computer is a great way to clean out its memory and be sure that any errant operations and programs that began operating get turned off. Restarting could fix unexplainable functionality problems if the exact cause is difficult to determine.
Increase the memory
If your pc operating Windows 7 appears too slow, it’s often because the Computer does not have sufficient RAM. The easiest method to speed it up is usually to add more.
Windows 7 can operate on a PC using 1 GB of RAM, however it runs much better using 2 GB. For maximum performance, increase that to 3 GB or maybe more.
An alternative choice would be to increase the level of memory by utilizing Windows ReadyBoost. This specific feature enables you to take advantage of the storage space on a number of detachable media devices, including USB flash drives. It’s quicker to connect a flash drive right into a USB port rather than open up your computer case and connect memory modules directly into the motherboard.
Search for viruses and spyware
Should your PC run slow, it is possible it is has been infected with a virus or some type of spyware. This may not be as typical as the other issues, however it is something to think about. Before you decide to worry too much, examine your computer with antispyware and antivirus applications.
A typical characteristic of a virus can be a significantly slower-than-normal pC functionality. Some other symptoms include sudden messages popping up on your computer, applications which start automatically, or even the sound of the hard drive continuously working.
Spyware is a kind of program that is installed, typically without you knowing, to observe your action on the web. You should check for spyware using Windows Defender or some other antispyware applications.
The simplest way to cope with viruses is always to avoid them from the start. Run antivirus software regularly and keep it updated. Even when you take such safety measures, nevertheless, it is possible for the PC to get attacked.
Look at your computer’s speed
If your PC continues to be too slow, you may need a new one or a few computer hardware upgrades, for instance a new hard drive or quicker video card. You do not have to guess the speed of the PC because Windows comes with a program to examine and rate the PC’s speediness using a tool referred to as Windows Experience Index.
This handy tool rates your PC on several key components and provides you with a number along with an total base score. Base ratings presently vary from 1 to 7.9. Should your PC rank less than 2 or 3, it may be time for you to think about a new computer.