How to Optimize your Laptop or Desktop for Better Performance

"Do you recall the feeling of unboxing and using your brand-new laptop for the first time, with its speedy performance? Unfortunately, over time, laptops can slow down due to various factors such as lack of memory, downloaded programs, and malware. This can make working on a slow laptop frustrating, especially for the 50% of laptop users who experience such issues. But, there are ways to diagnose and fix a slow laptop's performance."

Increase Free Space in Local Disk C

One way to increase free space in the Local Disk C is to delete unnecessary files and programs. You can also use disk cleanup tools to remove temporary files, browser history, and other unnecessary data. Another way is to move or transfer large files or documents to an external hard drive or cloud storage. You can also consider uninstalling programs that you no longer use or need. If these methods do not provide enough free space, you may need to consider upgrading to a larger hard drive or SSD.

Delete Temp files

To delete temporary files from your laptop, you can use the built-in disk cleanup tool on Windows. Here's how:

1. 1. Open the Start menu and type "disk cleanup" in the search bar
   2. Select "Disk Cleanup" from the results
   3. A window will appear with a list of drive options. Select the drive (usually Local Disk C) that you want to clean up.
   4. Click on the "OK" button.
   5. The Disk Cleanup tool will calculate the amount of space that can be freed up.
   6. Check the boxes next to the types of files that you want to delete, such as "Temporary files" and "Recycle Bin."
   7. Click on the "OK" button to start the cleanup process.

Additionally, you can also use third-party software to clean up temporary files, such as CCleaner, Disk Cleaner, etc.

Another way to delete temp files is by using the command prompt.

1. 1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd and press enter.
   2. Type the command "%temp%" and press enter
   3. This will open the temp folder, where you can delete all the files.

Please note that it's important to be careful when deleting files, especially if you're not sure what they are. Be sure to read through the list of files before deleting them.

Unnecessary Software

To uninstall unnecessary software from your laptop, you can use the built-in Programs and Features tool on Windows. Here's how:

1. 1. Open the Start menu and type "Programs and Features" in the search bar.
   2. Select "Programs and Features" from the results.
   3. A list of all the programs installed on your laptop will appear.
   4. Scroll through the list and locate the program that you want to uninstall.
   5. Click on the program and select "Uninstall."
   6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

Alternatively, you can also use the Control Panel to uninstall software. Here's how:

1. 1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start menu and typing "Control Panel" in the search bar.
   2. Select "Control Panel" from the results.
   3. Under the "Programs" category, select "Uninstall a program."
   4. Locate the program that you want to uninstall and click on it.
   5. Click on the "Uninstall" button and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have a lot of software to uninstall, it may be helpful to sort the list of programs by installation date so that you can see which programs are newer and which are older. This can help you identify programs that you don't use anymore or don't recognize.

It's important to be careful when uninstalling software, especially if you're not sure what it is or if it's essential for your system. Be sure to read through the list of programs before uninstalling them.

Check your PC for Malware

To check your PC for malware, you can use a variety of different tools and methods. Here are a few options:

1. 1. Anti-virus software: One of the most effective ways to check for malware is to use anti-virus software. This software is designed to detect and remove malware from your computer. Many anti-virus programs offer real-time protection, which means that your computer is constantly being scanned for malware. Some popular anti-virus software include Norton, McAfee, AVG, and Avast.
   2. Malware scanners: There are also specialized malware scanners that can be used to check for malware. These scanners typically work by searching through the files and programs on your computer and identifying anything that appears suspicious. Some popular malware scanners include Malwarebytes and HitmanPro.
   3. Windows Defender: Windows 10 has inbuilt malware scanner called Windows Defender. It will automatically check for malware and remove any that it finds.
   4. Manual checks: You can also manually check for malware by looking through the list of installed programs, checking your browser extensions and running processes.

It is recommended to run a scan regularly, especially if you suspect that your computer may be infected, or if you have recently downloaded a suspicious file or program. Also, make sure to keep your anti-virus and anti-malware software updated to ensure that they can detect the latest threats.

Reboot or Restart your PC regularly

Rebooting or restarting your PC regularly can help improve its performance and stability. Here are a few reasons why:

1. 1. Clearing memory: Rebooting your PC clears the memory and allows it to run more efficiently. When you have multiple programs running at the same time, they can use up a lot of memory, which can slow down your computer. Restarting your PC clears out the memory and frees up resources for other programs to use.
   2. Closing background processes: Rebooting your PC also closes any background processes that might be running, which can free up resources and improve performance. Some of these processes may be hogging memory or other resources, causing your computer to slow down.
   3. Updating software: Many software updates are installed when you reboot your computer. These updates may include security patches, bug fixes, and performance enhancements.
   4. Fixing errors: Rebooting your PC can also help fix errors that might be causing your computer to crash or freeze. Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve issues that would otherwise require more extensive troubleshooting.

It is recommended to reboot or restart your PC at least once a week, or more often if you use it frequently or if you notice a decrease in performance. It's also a good idea to save your work and close all open programs before rebooting or restarting your PC to prevent any data loss.

Turn Off Visual Effects

Turning off visual effects can help improve the performance of your PC, especially if you have an older or less powerful computer. Here's how to turn off visual effects in Windows:

1. 1. Open the Start menu and type "System Properties" in the search bar.
   2. Select "System Properties" from the results.
   3. In the System Properties window, select the "Advanced" tab.
   4. Under the "Performance" section, click on the "Settings" button.
   5. In the Performance Options window, select the "Adjust for best performance" option. This will turn off all visual effects.

Alternatively, you can select "Custom" instead of "Adjust for best performance" and manually deselect the visual effects that you want to turn off.

You can also turn off the visual effects by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Personalize" then "Themes" then "Desktop Icon Settings" and then "Customize Desktop" and then unchecking the visual effects options you want to turn off.

Disabling visual effects can improve your computer's performance, as it reduces the workload on your computer's graphics card and CPU. This can help your computer run faster, especially when you're running multiple programs at the same time. However, it's worth noting that disabling visual effects can make your computer look less visually appealing, so it's a trade-off between performance and aesthetics.