You don’t necessarily need to replace your old laptop just because it’s sluggish. Your notebook will accumulate a great deal of extra data and applications from frequent usage, in addition to some actual dust. The software will need more frequent upgrades as the components age. Don’t worry, however; we’re here to assist expedite the process.

However, you should attempt a few hardware and software repairs before purchasing a new workstation. Your laptop may function like new with a little time, a screwdriver, and a few configuration changes. Here are 12 methods to make your system faster.

1. Get an SSD instead of a hard drive:

The single largest hardware modification you can do to speed up a laptop is to install a solid-state drive (SSD). When compared to conventional hard drives, it speeds up everything; booting up, shutting down, and starting programs all happen in the blink of an eye. SSDs are becoming increasingly and more common in laptops, although not all of them have them. Additionally, you may get a substantial performance increase for a fair price by cracking apart your old laptop’s conventional hard drive.

2. Increase RAM:

There should be at least 8GB of RAM on your laptop. Since more and more laptop makers are soldering memory to the motherboard, making it hard to add more, your best option these days is to purchase a laptop with that much memory. However, RAM is reasonably priced, and many computers still allow you to access them. Upgrade to 8GB if you have 4GB, since the extra memory will likely cost less than $25. Depending on your laptop, upgrades to 16GB, 32GB, or even 64GB are possible.

3. Update your startup applications:

Your computer will take longer to start up and use resources for apps you may not even be using if you have anything running in the background. Thankfully, turning them off is easy:

To see the list of applications that are running when your computer turns on, go to Task Manager > Startup in Windows 10.

To change which apps open when you switch on a MacBook, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.

4. Remove any unnecessary applications:

Unused applications may drain CPU resources and take up space on your hard disk. To make room and processing power available for a quicker computer, get rid of the clutter. Make careful to go over your library files for any leftover clutter.

5. Perform routine malware checks:

Your laptop may be sluggish because of anything you didn’t want to install, such as harmful software. To stop unwanted software from slowing down your laptop or worse, do routine virus and malware scans. You may prevent and get rid of risks that are hoarding resources or packing your laptop with unnecessary files by being watchful.

6. Eliminate animations:

Your operating system’s animations may be visually appealing, but they use valuable resources that may be used elsewhere.

On Windows:

1. Look up “View advanced system settings.”
2. Under Performance, choose Settings.
3. Select “Adjust for best performance,” which will disable many animations and special effects.

Within OS X:

1. Select Dock under System Preferences.
2. To disable magnification and halt animations while launching apps, check the boxes.

7. Make your shutdowns faster:

You often have to wait a long time when you want to shut down Windows because the computer is trying to close open apps that aren’t closing gracefully on their own. You may compel the shutdown procedure to immediately terminate these rebel programs if you’re prepared to go into your registry. This will shut open apps without affecting you, so be sure you always save your work.

8. Turn off web results:

When you search in Windows 10, Cortana looks through both your local files and the internet. This might be a burden on your system and takes a while to download. Windows 10 makes it simple to disable online results if you mostly use the Cortana box to locate files and programs that reside on your hard drive.

9. Increase the speed of your downloads folder:

One of Windows’ most popular folders, the File Explorer, might take a very long time to launch if it is overflowing with downloads. You should optimize the folder if you notice a loading bar each time you access it.

10. Maintain cleanliness:

You run the danger of your laptop overheating if you allow it to get very dusty. The CPU and graphics card have to put in more effort to function properly when that occurs. To give your CPU and graphics card a break, grab a can of compressed air and clear the vents.

11. Switch up your browser:

Different browsers have varying speeds. Chrome might ultimately take up all of your RAM if you use it often, particularly if you have a lot of tabs open. Although Microsoft’s Edge isn’t yet as feature-rich, it has the advantage of being quicker and lighter. You may try Safari on Macs.

12. Keep your drivers updated:

Some fresh drivers may revitalize your hardware and resolve any problems it may be experiencing. Make sure your drivers are current by visiting the manufacturer’s website.

Disclaimer:

This article provides general tips for improving computer performance. Technical steps—especially hardware upgrades or changes to system settings such as the Windows registry—should be followed carefully and only if you understand them. Always back up your data before making changes. The information in this guide is for educational purposes only, and the author is not responsible for any damage or data loss.