If you have an old laptop that is slow, and you want to do something about it then you are not alone. This guide is going to tell you how to speed up your old laptop while also helping you to make the most out of the devices that you have without any worries at all.
Close your System Tray Program
If you see that your computer is getting off to a very slow start, then you may have way too many programs starting at the same time. You need to try and do something about this if you want to speed up your device. If you want to close your system tray programs, then you should know that the process will vary depending on whether you are using a Mac computer or a PC.
Stop Start-up Programs from Affecting your System
It may be that you have programs that run in the tray as well as programs that automatically run on start-up. If you are not careful then this can slow down your computer more than you realize. Sometimes you may have programs that you want to run, such as anti-virus programs but others can slow down your computer. Right-click on the taskbar and then choose task manager. You then need to go to the start-up tab. From there you can see which programs start when you load up your PC. This process is beneficial if you go ahead and disable some of the more high-impact ones. You should note that some of them are required for your PC to operate. If you notice that some processes in specific are Microsoft for example then it is a good idea for you to try and keep these running if possible.
Update your Drivers and Apps
You may have heard that keeping software up to date is essential for your security. This is very true, and it is important for your performance too. If you have Windows, it will send you notifications when you have an update available, but you need to make sure that you don’t keep putting it off. If you suspect that you have missed an update, then it is more than possible for you to check. Go to Start and then Settings, and then click on Updates. Aside from your OS, you should make sure that your drivers and apps are also up to date. This is very good for your security and your performance.
Delete anything Unnecessary
Just like your closet and your drawers, you may find that your computer has the tendency to get cluttered too. You might not be able to see it, but you know it is there and this will be having a negative impact on the general performance of your PC. This is very true if you have a lot of files, or if you have high-resolution images. If possible, you need to free up space by making a habit of deleting your files or your folders every week. You also need to make sure that you empty the recycling bin afterwards too. If you do this on a regular basis, then you will never have to worry about remembering what is in those files and folders, so you do not risk deleting something that is very important. You should know that HDDs often run at a peak speed until they reach a capacity rate of 90%. It is helpful for you to see how much space you have used up. If it is over 90% then this could be why you have a slow PC right now. If you have an SSD then you should not fill this 75% beyond its total capacity.
Do you have Programs that Use up all of your Resources?
If you know that your computer is running slower, then there’s a high chance that there is a particular program which is to blame. One way for you to find the culprit is for you to go through the task manager so you can find out what is going on. You need to try and right-click on the taskbar and then you need to click on Task Manager. This should then show you the information you need to find out. If you have an Apple computer then it may be wise for you to explore the idea of clearing your system cache on Mac to make sure that you are not overlooking this.
Adjust your Power Options
Windows comes with a lot of power plans and each one is designed to suit your individual needs. If you have it set to balanced right now, then this will take into account PC performance as well as the energy you are consuming. You should only have this option enabled if you are running from a battery or if you are trying to keep the electricity bills down. If you are not concerned about this then you need to explore the idea of a high-performance plan. This is the best option if you know that your PC is running slow. This may consume more energy but at the end of the day, it does favor performance, and this should speed up your performance overall.
Remove Programs you Don’t Use
People often install massive programs without thinking about how much space it is using up. If you think that this may be the case, then you can install the programs you don’t use. Even if it is a program you use now and again, if it is very big, it may be worth reinstalling it every time you happen to need it. Go through your programs and decide which ones you don’t need. If you are unsure about a program, then you can the internet to find out more. You can also use a tool to go through your system for you. When this happens, you may find that it is able to suggest programs you might not have thought of, or even knew you had, so keep that in mind if possible.
Source: doncaprio
