Top Tips to Make Your Computer Run Faster

Last Updated: 

July 3, 2025

If you want to make your computer work faster, then this article will provide you with some of the most effective and efficient ways to do so.

Now that it's spring, it's time to clean, pull weeds, put away winter clothes, and tune up your PC! Improving the speed of your PC isn't as hard as it sounds, though. Your PC will run faster after you make a few small changes. 

It may take some work to make your PC run more efficiently, but some tasks can be done automatically. Your PC is like a Roomba; it cleans up your laptop or desktop most of the time when you're not looking. Here are a few things you can do to make your PC faster and more efficient, as well as to make it last longer. Some may be known, while others may not be. And good for you if you've already done these!

Key Takeaways on Optimising Your Computer’s Performance

  1. Regular updates maximise performance: Keeping your operating system up-to-date ensures your PC runs smoothly by fixing system faults and updating device drivers.
  2. Restart for efficiency: Regularly restarting your computer clears RAM and improves performance by preventing clogging from prolonged use.
  3. Optimise startup programs: Disabling unnecessary startup applications can free up resources and speed up your PC's boot time.
  4. Utilise built-in tools: Features like Disk Cleanup and System Maintenance in Windows 10 help remove clutter and maintain system health for better performance.
  5. Consider hardware upgrades: Increasing RAM or upgrading to an SSD can significantly boost your computer's speed and responsiveness.
  6. Eliminate bloatware: Uninstalling unwanted pre-installed programs frees up storage space and enhances overall system performance.
  7. Prioritise system optimisation: Disabling resource-heavy effects like transparency and upgrading hardware components can further enhance your computer's speed and efficiency.

Build Good PC Habits for Lasting Results

While these steps can help give your PC a much-needed speed boost, the real secret sauce is consistency. Just like you wouldn’t let dust bunnies pile up under your couch, maintaining a regular tune-up schedule for your PC can prevent performance slowdowns before they start. Setting aside time each month to revisit these tasks, updating, cleaning, checking for bloatware, will pay off in the long run.

Good computer habits, combined with regular maintenance, not only keep your machine humming along but can also add extra years to its life. Consider marking your calendar or setting a recurring reminder so your PC gets the TLC it deserves. With just a little effort, you’ll enjoy a faster, more reliable computer every day.

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Different Techniques to Make Your Computer Run Faster

Here are some tried and tested ways to enhance your computer’s performance. These methods don’t include using any third-party software like PC optimisers, Free Driver Updater Tools, game boosters, etc. All the methods shared in this article are manual, so follow the steps carefully to perform them.

Tip 1: Install The Latest OS Available

Having the most recent Windows 10 update installed is a great method to maximise the performance of your PC. Additionally, upgrading your productivity tools, such as ensuring you have the latest version when you buy Microsoft Office, can further enhance your workflow.

System faults and common flaws may affect system performance, although Microsoft provides updates often to correct them. Both small and large system updates aim to find the most recent device drivers, which may boost your PC's performance. 

Tip 2: Prepare Properly Before a Clean Windows Installation

Performing a clean installation of Windows is a powerful way to give your PC a fresh start, but it's essential to get your ducks in a row before diving in. Think of it like prepping your home before a big spring-clean: a little planning upfront saves headaches later.

Here’s what you should do before wiping the slate clean:

  • Back up your personal files: Move documents, photos, and anything important to an external hard drive or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This ensures you won’t lose treasured files during the installation process.
  • Make a list of essential apps and software keys: Jot down names of must-have programs you’ll want to reinstall, and be sure to collect any license keys or login information ahead of time.
  • Download the latest Windows installation files: Create installation media by downloading the official Windows setup tool from Microsoft’s website. Use a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) to make the process smooth.
  • Ensure your device drivers are handy: Some hardware may require specific drivers after installation. Download these from your manufacturer’s website and save them to your backup drive if possible.

Once you’ve got everything secured and ready, you can proceed with the installation, confident you won’t lose valuable data or hit any unexpected roadblocks.

Tip 3: Perform a Clean Install of Windows for a Fresh Start

If you're looking for a totally fresh slate, perhaps your computer feels sluggish even after tweaks, a clean install of Windows can work wonders. This process wipes everything on your hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch, eliminating stubborn glitches, malware, or years of digital clutter that slow your machine down.

Here's how you can do it the right way:

  • Back up your important data: Before you begin, copy all your crucial files (photos, documents, music, etc.) to an external hard drive or a secure cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Once you start the clean install, everything on your main drive will be erased.
  • Download the latest Windows installation media: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB stick. (Pro tip: an 8GB or larger USB drive works best for this task.)
  • Boot from your USB drive: Plug in your bootable USB, then restart your computer. You may need to press a key like F12 or Esc during startup to access your boot menu. Select your USB drive to begin.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts: The installer will guide you through reformatting your hard drive and installing a pristine copy of Windows. Just follow the steps, pick your time zone, and connect to Wi-Fi when prompted.

Once Windows is reinstalled, you’ll need to reinstall your favourite programs and restore your files from backup. It’s a little extra effort, but you’ll notice the snappiness right away, like giving your PC a spa day and a fresh haircut all at once!

Tip 3: Understanding Reset Options – Keep or Remove Your Files

If you’ve tried the previous suggestions and your computer is still sluggish, a more advanced solution is to reset Windows. When you start the reset process, Windows gives you two main choices:

  • Keep My Files: This option reinstalls Windows without deleting your personal files, like photos, documents, and other data. However, it does remove apps and settings you’ve added, giving your PC a software “fresh start” while preserving what’s important.
  • Remove Everything: If you want to completely wipe the slate clean, choose this setting. It erases all your files, apps, and settings, returning your PC to a like-new state. This can be handy if you plan to give away, sell, or recycle your computer, or if you want a truly clean reboot.

To get started, head to your Settings, find the Recovery section under Update & Security, and follow the simple prompts to choose the reset option that best fits your needs.

Tip 4: Restart Your Computer

Although it may seem obvious, restarting your computer regularly might improve its performance. A lot of individuals don't bother to shut off their computers; instead, they put them in Sleep mode and leave them running for weeks. As a result, your computer's RAM becomes clogged with applications and workloads, making normal operations slower. 

Your computer will run faster and more efficiently the next day if you turn it off every night so it can clear its memory. Restarting or powering down your computer may help speed it up if you've observed it taking longer than usual to accomplish commonplace activities like launching applications or accessing files. Before you turn off your computer or restart it, save all of your work. 

Tip 5: Disable Startup Applications

Running several applications and programs simultaneously may be taxing on a computer's performance. A lot of installers slow down your PC's speed by telling Windows to begin their apps immediately after you start up your PC. 

Tip 6: Manage Windows Services

Behind the scenes, Windows runs a variety of background services, some essential, others less so. Non-essential services starting automatically can quietly sap your system's memory and processing power, especially if left unchecked after years of updates and software installs.

To streamline performance, you can fine-tune which services run at startup:

  • Open the Start menu and type “services.msc” to launch the Services window.
  • Carefully review the list; many services are critical, but others, such as certain update helpers or remote registry services, may not be necessary for everyday users.
  • Right-click any service you want to adjust and select ‘Properties’ to change its startup type (Automatic, Manual, or Disabled).
  • Exercise caution, disabling essential services could lead to system instability. When in doubt, a quick online search (or checking Microsoft’s official documentation) can clarify what each service does.

Taking a few minutes to review and adjust these settings can free up resources, especially on older machines or laptops that seem to lag despite your best efforts.

Tip 7: Review and Adjust Windows Services

Tweaking Windows services can free up system resources, but it's important to proceed thoughtfully. Before making any changes, take these steps:

  • Do your homework: Some Windows services are essential for your PC’s stability, so research each service before disabling it. Websites like Black Viper or Microsoft’s official documentation can help you determine which services are safe to turn off.
  • Access the services list: Press the Windows key, type services.msc, and hit Enter to open the Services window.
  • Understand what you’re changing: Focus on services marked as “Manual” or “Automatic.” Right-click a service and select “Properties” to see its details and change its startup type.

Common services that users often disable safely (depending on usage) include:

  • Fax: If you don’t use your computer for faxing, this can be disabled.
  • Print Spooler: Only necessary if you frequently print documents.
  • Bluetooth Support: Can be turned off on desktops or if you don’t use Bluetooth devices.

A word to the wise: Never disable services like Windows Update, Security Center, or anything related to network functionality unless you’re absolutely sure, doing so may cause unexpected issues. Creating a system restore point before making changes can save a lot of headaches if you need to roll back.

By thoughtfully disabling unnecessary services, you’ll be giving your PC more breathing room for tasks that matter most.

Tip 8: Adjust Windows Services for Better Boot Times

Not all background services on your PC need to start up automatically with Windows. Fine-tuning which services launch at startup can shave precious seconds off your boot time and free up resources for the tasks that really matter.

To get started, open the Start menu and type services.msc, this launches the Services management console. You'll see a long list of services, but don’t worry, you don’t need to tweak them all! Do a quick search online (or visit trusted sources like TechSpot or PCMag) to find out which Windows services are safe to delay or disable based on your setup and needs.

When you’ve found a service you want to change, right-click it and choose "Properties." Here, you’ll see the “Startup type” drop-down, switch it between 'Automatic', 'Manual', or 'Disabled' depending on your preference. Be careful not to turn off anything critical to the system; when in doubt, leave it as is! Making selective adjustments can help your computer power up faster without losing any essential features.

Tip 9: Use Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is an integrated function in Windows 10. Files like temporary internet files, picture thumbnails, and downloaded software files may accumulate on your computer and be a pain to remove if you aren't using them. If you see any additional programs or files eating up space on your computer, now is a good time to delete them. To find unnecessary or outdated files to remove, look in your Downloads folder. 

Tip 10: Disable Special Effects

With Windows 10, you get a plethora of visual enhancements that enhance the whole experience. Windows and other features that may be designed to fade in and out of view automatically apply them. Translucency and animations are two more unique elements that might reduce your performance. 

Tip 11: Run System Maintenance

There is an integrated function in Windows 10 that checks for and fixes common system issues. Included in this category are activities like searching for updates, defragmenting the hard disk, and screening for viruses and malware. Although system maintenance often runs invisibly in the background when your computer is not in use, you always have the option to manually launch it if you suspect a problem. 

Tip 12: Upgrade Your RAM

Increasing the amount of RAM, or system memory, is a significant approach to boost your PC's speed and performance. For optimal performance, Windows 10 needs at least 4 GB of RAM. Having additional RAM is a good idea if you use your PC for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. 

Tip 13: Disable The Transparency Effect

Windows 10 makes use of transparency effects for certain elements, such as the task menu, in addition to using system resources to show features like animation. This effect, which doesn't seem to be heavy or difficult at first glance, really uses more system resources than you would expect. 

Tip 14: Uninstall Unwanted Apps

Many times, third-party programs that you may not need are pre-installed on your computer. This kind of software is called bloatware, and it often sits about doing nothing while taking up a lot of space on your computer. If your computer is running slowly, it can be because of unused apps that are installed.

Tip 15: Upgrade Your ROM

A storage upgrade is one of the best ways to boost your computer's speed and performance. While most personal computers ship with spinning disk hard drives (HDD), upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) makes your PC far more powerful. While SSDs are often more costly than HDDs, the benefits they provide in terms of faster boot times, application loading times, and system responsiveness make them a worthwhile investment.

Wrapping Up

We believe that the above-shared tips have helped you improve your computer’s overall performance. However, if your PC is still processing slowly, then it is time to buy a new one. Additionally, if there’s anything else you wish to add to this list of tricks, then share them with us in the comments section below.

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