As you use your PC, it can get to a place where the speed no longer matches your expectations. This can be due to different types of issues, from software to hardware. It can also be simply that your usage needs have changed, and you need to run heavier programs or multiple ones.
Either way, there are different techniques you can use to improve the performance of your PC.
Add more RAM
The most common reason for improving PC performance is the usage of more resource-intensive programs. These can be software such as photo and video editing programs or games you want to play.
The Random Access Memory (RAM) is the most common culprit in such situations and the obvious starting point when you want to upgrade your PC. This type of memory plays the biggest role in the running of a PC as it handles all active programs, right from the operating system. It also manages how the different tasks run simultaneously. If it’s low, this makes the entire computer slow.
Upgrading RAM significantly boosts the performance of a PC as it can manage more processes at once. The amount you need to add will depend on how you use your PC, but modern computers need a minimum of 8 GB. 16 GB or 32 GB is recommended for graphic editors and gamers.
Uninstall Unnecessary Software
Over time, our computers become cluttered with apps. Some of these are apps we no longer use or need. Having such apps brings performance down as they still use computer resources. They store data and consume storage space, and most of them still run in the background even when you don’t start them.
Removing these apps greatly increases a computer’s performance. You can start by looking at the programs installed on your PC. To do this, head to the control panel or settings menu and click Apps. If you see any that you no longer use, remove them. This will not only enhance performance but also make your computer clutter-free.
Limit Startup Programs
Most programs start and run in the background when you start your computer. This is meant to ensure that you can quickly carry out different tasks, but it also makes your computer slower.
First, the bootup process may feel like it’s taking forever as each of these apps has to start. Besides the startup, the apps also continue to take up a good chunk of your RAM. Preventing them from starting will boost your PC performance.
First, take a look at the programs set to start automatically. You can do this by opening the Task Manager and navigating to the Startup tab. Here, you’ll find a list of all programs that need the permission, with the status set as either ‘enabled’ or ‘disabled.’ Windows will also show you the level of impact each program has. Disable any that you don’t need every time you start up your computer.
Adjust System Settings
Making a few tweaks to your settings can greatly improve the performance. Some of the settings that you need to change can seem minor, but they have a huge effect on performance.
One of these is the power settings. Most PCs are set to Balanced by default. However, you can switch this to high-performance mode, which will allow the PC to utilize its full potential. This option is available under Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Note that there’s a setting for when using a battery and when connected to power.
Besides that, you can consider turning off visual effects and animations. These are meant to make your operating system look better, but they also consume processing power. You can turn off unnecessary ones by going to Settings > System > Display.
Lastly, you can update your operating system and drivers. They mostly fix bugs but also have performance improvements that help computers run more smoothly.
