Best Methods to increase Laptop Speed instantly
Here are a few tips to help increase the speed of your laptop instantly:
- Close unnecessary programs and tabs: Having multiple programs and browser tabs open at the same time can slow down your laptop. Close any programs or tabs that you’re not currently using to free up memory and improve performance.
- Clear your cache and cookies: Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help speed up your laptop by freeing up space on your hard drive.
- Run a virus scan: A virus or malware can slow down your laptop significantly. Run a virus scan to ensure that your laptop is free from any harmful software.
- Remove startup programs: Some programs may automatically start when your laptop is turned on. You can remove these programs from your startup list to free up memory and speed up your laptop’s boot time.
- Disable visual effects: Disabling visual effects such as animations and shadows can help improve your laptop’s performance.
- Disk Cleanup: Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that can help you free up space on your hard drive by removing unnecessary files.
- Defragment the Hard drive: Defragmenting your hard drive can help speed up your laptop by organizing the files on your hard drive.
- Update your drivers: Outdated drivers can slow down your laptop. Make sure that all your drivers are up to date.
- Check for dust and clean the ventilation: Dust can clog up the ventilation of your laptop and cause it to overheat. Clean the vents on your laptop to ensure proper airflow and cooling.
- Consider upgrading your hardware: If your laptop is old and you’re still not seeing an improvement in performance, you may need to upgrade your hardware.
1. Close unnecessary programs and tabs
Closing unnecessary programs and tabs is an easy way to free up memory and improve the performance of your laptop. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, you’ll see a list of all the programs and processes that are currently running on your laptop.
- Go through the list and end any processes that you don’t need by clicking on them and then clicking the “End Task” button.
- Close any unnecessary tabs that you have open in your browser by clicking the “X” on the tab or by using the Ctrl + W shortcut.
- Close any programs or apps that you’re not currently using by clicking the “X” on the program window or by using the Alt + F4 shortcut.
By closing unnecessary programs and tabs, you’ll free up memory and improve the performance of your laptop. Remember to be careful when closing programs and tabs, as you don’t want to close something important that you may need later.
Clear your cache and cookies
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help speed up your laptop by freeing up space on your hard drive. Here’s how to do it:
- Open your browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
- Click on the menu button (usually three dots or lines in the top right corner of the window)
- Select “Settings” or “Preferences” depending on your browser
- Look for “Privacy and Security” or similar and click on it
- Find the option to “Clear browsing data” or “Delete browsing history”
- Select the option to clear cache and cookies
- Choose the desired time range (e.g. last hour, last week, etc.)
- Click on the “Clear data” or “Delete” button.
It’s important to note that clearing your cache and cookies will also log you out of any websites you were logged in to, and clear any saved form data. However, it is a good practice to clear your cache and cookies regularly as they can slow down your browser and take up valuable space on your hard drive.
If you want to keep your cookies, but clear the cache, you can choose the option to only clear the cache.
You can also use browser extensions such as “Click&Clean” or “CCleaner” to quickly clear your cache and cookies.
Run a virus scan
Running a virus scan is a crucial step in keeping your laptop running at top speed, as a virus or malware can slow down your laptop significantly. Here’s how to run a virus scan on your laptop:
- Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Most antivirus programs will automatically update themselves, but it’s a good idea to check for updates manually.
- Run a full system scan. This option is usually located in the main menu of your antivirus program. The scan may take a while to complete, so it’s best to run it when you’re not using your laptop.
- If the scan detects any threats, it will give you the option to remove them. Follow the prompts to remove the viruses or malware.
- Once the scan is complete and any viruses or malware have been removed, reboot your laptop to ensure that all changes take effect.
It’s important to regularly run virus scans on your laptop to ensure that it’s free from any harmful software. Also, you should keep your antivirus software up to date to protect your laptop from the latest threats.
If you don’t have an antivirus software installed on your laptop, you can download and install one for free such as Avast, AVG, Avira, and more.
Remove startup programs
Removing unnecessary programs from your startup list can help speed up your laptop’s boot time and free up memory. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “msconfig” and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration utility.
- In the System Configuration utility, go to the “Startup” tab.
- Here, you’ll see a list of all the programs that are set to start when your laptop is turned on.
- Go through the list and uncheck the boxes next to any programs that you don’t need to start automatically.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
It’s important to be careful when disabling startup programs as some of them may be needed for the proper functionality of your laptop or some software installed on it.
Another way to check what programs are running at startup is by using the task manager, which you can access by pressing ctrl+alt+delete, then choose Task Manager, go to the startup tab and you will see the list of programs running at startup and you can disable them by clicking on the program and then click on “disable”.
Keep in mind that disabling a startup program will not remove it from your computer, it will only prevent it from running at startup.
Disable visual effects
Disabling visual effects such as animations and shadows can help improve your laptop’s performance. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter. This will open the System Properties window.
- In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Under the “Performance” section, click on the “Settings” button.
- In the Performance Options window, you will see several options to choose from:
- “Adjust for best appearance”: This option will enable all visual effects.
- “Adjust for best performance”: This option will disable all visual effects.
- “Custom”: This option will allow you to choose which visual effects you want to enable or disable.
- Select the option that best fits your needs and click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
Keep in mind that disabling visual effects may make your laptop look less attractive, but it will improve performance. You can always go back and adjust the settings if you want to enable certain visual effects again.
Another alternative is to use the built-in “Ease of Access” feature in windows, which allows you to disable animations and other visual effects. You can access this feature by going to settings > Ease of Access > Other options > turn off “Play animations in Windows”
It’s worth noting that disabling visual effects also can reduce the power consumption of your laptop, which can help to extend the battery life.
Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that can help you free up space on your hard drive by removing unnecessary files. Here’s how to use Disk Cleanup:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Disk Cleanup”
- Select the “Disk Cleanup” program that appears.
- Select the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click “OK”.
- Disk Cleanup will calculate the amount of space you can free up.
- In the Disk Cleanup for (Drive Letter) window, select the files you want to delete. Some of the options you might consider include:
- Temporary files: These are files that are no longer needed, such as Internet cache files, program setup files, and error reports.
- Recycle Bin: This option allows you to delete all the files that have been sent to the Recycle Bin.
- Thumbnails: This option deletes the thumbnail images that are stored on your hard drive.
- Windows upgrade log files: This option deletes the log files that were created during a Windows upgrade.
- Once you’ve selected the files you want to delete, click “OK” and then “Delete files” to start the cleaning process.
- After the process is completed, you will notice an improvement in the storage space and the performance of your laptop.
It’s a good practice to run Disk Cleanup regularly to keep your hard drive clean and free up space. Also, there are third-party software such as CCleaner, Glary Utilities, and more that can help you to clean up your disk more thoroughly.
Defragment the Hard drive
Defragmenting your hard drive can help speed up your laptop by organizing the files on your hard drive. Here’s how to defragment your hard drive:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives”
- Select the “Defragment and Optimize Drives” program that appears.
- In the Optimize Drives window, select the drive you want to defragment (usually the C: drive).
- Click on the “Optimize” button to start the defragmentation process.
- The defragmenting process may take some time depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files that need to be defragmented.
- Once the process is completed, you will notice an improvement in the performance of your laptop.
It’s a good practice to run the defragment process regularly, especially if you notice that your laptop is running slowly.
It’s worth noting that with newer versions of windows(10) the defragment process is not necessary as frequently as before, as the operating system has a built-in feature called “Optimize Drives” which runs automatically on a schedule and keeps the hard drive optimized.
Also, you should note that if you are using an SSD (solid-state drive) instead of a traditional hard drive, defragmenting is not necessary as SSDs have a different technology that does not require defragmenting, running defragment on an SSD can shorten its lifespan.
Update your drivers
Outdated drivers can slow down your laptop and cause issues with hardware and software. Updating your drivers can help improve your laptop’s performance and fix any issues you may be experiencing. Here’s how to update your drivers:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Device Manager”
- Select the “Device Manager” program that appears.
- In the Device Manager window, you will see a list of all the hardware devices installed on your laptop.
- Go through the list and look for any devices that have a yellow exclamation mark next to them. These devices have outdated or missing drivers.
- Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver”.
- Select the option to “Search automatically for updated driver software”. Windows will search for the latest drivers and install them if they are available.
- Repeat the process for all the devices that have outdated or missing drivers.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
Alternatively, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your specific laptop model and then install them manually.
It’s a good practice to check for driver updates regularly, as new updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.
Updating drivers can also help to resolve any issues you may be experiencing with your laptop, such as poor graphics performance, slow internet connection, and more.
Check for dust and clean the ventilation
Dust can clog up the ventilation of your laptop and cause it to overheat, which can slow down its performance. Here’s how to check for dust and clean the ventilation on your laptop:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug it from the power source.
- Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust from the vents and around the keyboard. Be gentle and avoid using too much pressure as you could damage internal components.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment to remove dust from the vents and the fans.
- Check the air intake and output vents for blockages and remove them if necessary.
- Open the laptop’s bottom panel, if possible, and clean the fans and heat sink.
- Reassemble the laptop and power it on.
It’s a good practice to clean the dust from your laptop’s ventilation every few months, especially if you use your laptop in a dusty environment.
Keeping your laptop clean will help it to run cooler and more efficiently, which can extend its lifespan and improve its performance.
Another tip is to use a cooling pad for your laptop, which can help to dissipate heat and reduce the amount of dust that enters the laptop.
It’s worth noting that cleaning the dust and the ventilation of your laptop can also reduce the risk of fire and other hazards caused by overheating.
Increase RAM volume
Increasing the amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) on your laptop can help to improve its performance, especially when running multiple programs at the same time. Here’s how to increase the RAM volume on your laptop:
- Make sure that your laptop is compatible with the type and amount of RAM you plan to install. You can check the laptop’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website or in the manual.
- Purchase the additional RAM that you need. You can purchase RAM from the laptop’s manufacturer or from third-party sellers. Be sure to purchase the correct type and amount of RAM for your laptop.
- Turn off your laptop and unplug it from the power source.
- Remove the battery and the back panel of the laptop.
- Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard. The RAM slots are usually located near the CPU and are labeled with symbols such as DIMM or SODIMM.
- Carefully remove the existing RAM modules by gently pushing down on the tabs located on the sides of the modules.
- Insert the new RAM modules into the empty slots, making sure that the notches on the modules align with the tabs in the slots.
- Gently push down on the modules until they click into place.
- Reassemble the laptop and power it on.
- Check the RAM volume in your computer settings and confirm that the new RAM has been recognized and is being used.
It’s important to be careful when handling the internal components of your laptop, as damage to the RAM or other components could cause your laptop to malfunction. Also, before buying new RAM make sure that it is compatible with your laptop and that you know how to install it properly.
Install C drive to an SSD in a laptop
Installing a C drive (the primary drive where the operating system is installed) to an SSD (Solid State Drive) in a laptop can significantly improve its performance. Here are the general steps to do this:
- Purchase an SSD that is compatible with your laptop. You can check the specifications of your laptop on the manufacturer’s website or in the manual to determine the type of SSD that is compatible.
- Create a backup of your current C drive. This is important as the installation process will erase all data on the drive. You can use built-in backup tools or third-party software to create a backup.
- Turn off your laptop and unplug it from the power source.
- Remove the battery and the back panel of the laptop.
- Locate the current C drive, which is usually a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive.
- Carefully disconnect the cables and screws that hold the hard drive in place.
- Insert the SSD into the laptop, making sure that it is properly aligned and securely connected.
- Reassemble the laptop and power it on.
- Boot from a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) and follow the instructions to perform a clean install of Windows on the SSD.
- During the installation process, make sure to select the SSD as the destination drive where Windows will be installed.
- After the installation process is completed, you can restore your backed up data to the new SSD.
It’s important to be careful when handling the internal components of your laptop, as damage to the SSD or other components could cause your laptop to malfunction. Also, make sure that you have the proper tools and knowledge to perform the installation before attempting it.