If you are an advanced user, you can download a free tool from the Microsoft website that shows you all of the programs and processes that run when you start Windows, including the ones that Windows requires to operate successfully. The Check Disk program identifies and cleans any errors.

Toolbars typically appear at the top of your browser window, and often provide their own search box. It's wise to periodically clean your physical hardware parts. Over time, your device may create errors on its hard drive. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. Some Internet security applications do not uninstall completely. Then run a full scan of your hard disk and, if your package allows, set up regular scheduled scans. The power plans you can use depend on the kind of device you have. You can still use your device during the optimization process. Ireland - English. Xbox Console Companion?

These errors can slow your device. Use a free system cleaner like CCleaner to erase unnecessary junk files in the Windows OS itself, the Windows Registry , and third-party programs like your web browsers, which like to collect cache files. Now restart your system. Coronavirus Read our latest advice. ReadyBoost can speed up your device by using storage space on flash memory cards and USB flash drives. If you have a solid-state drive SSD this process won't be necessary, as Windows will automatically do it for you from time to time in the background. Installing and uninstalling software and Windows updates, rebooting your computer during an update, forcing your computer to shut down immediately, and other things can cause errors within the Windows system files. You can even remove the lock screen altogether, going straight to the login screen upon boot.

Yes No. Singapore - English. Is your laptop only slow when you're carrying out intensive tasks such as editing photos or is it slow no matter what you're doing? No matter how good you are about keeping your computer clean and up-to-date, they tend to slow down after time. So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. Uninstalling toolbars can be done in the same way as other software. Costa Rica - Español. Tap or select Change settings. Hrvatska - Hrvatski. Image credit: Shutterstock.

Should you defrag your hard drive? Crna Gora - Srpski. How old is your laptop? Also, find a way to remind yourself to reply to email messages later instead of keeping them open until you reply. Try Which? If prompted, type an administrator password or confirmation. If your system supports it, Windows Hello is pretty speedy, too. Toggle off any of these that you want to open manually, such as Spotify or OneDrive, and your system should start up faster. While many of these tips will also apply to desktop PCs as well as laptops, there's no point messing around with a desktop's power plan.

So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. These extras are usually fine to have turned on, but they're only worth it if you have enough system memory. Tweet Share Email. After Windows finishes analyzing the drive, check the Current status column to see whether you need to optimize the drive. Over time, the volume of these files can build up. Yes No. Guatemala - Español. Nederland - Nederlands.

Over time, the volume of these files can build up. If you're still running Windows 7 or older , you may get a small speed boost by defragging your hard drive. If you use another antispyware program together with Microsoft Security Essentials, we recommend that you turn off real-time scanning in the other program. The Windows 10 lock screen is a pointless innovation. These empty spaces make your hard drive take longer to think, which in turn causes files, folders, and programs to open slowly. The default balanced plan is usually a good call, but even then you might want to make some adjustments; like disabling certain ports while the monitor is asleep, for example. Reinstalling Windows is a permanent solution, so make sure to back up your files and record any programs you want to make sure to reinstall. If you find your device slowing down, decide whether you really need to keep all of your programs and windows open at the same time.

México - Español. Depending upon the size of your hard disk, this may take several minutes. In the list of Drives , click the hard disk drive that you want to clean. If you select this option, you can select how much memory to use. So is the accumulation of cached web browser files, a cluttered desktop, a full hard drive , slow hardware , and many other issues. Clean up your desktop if it's cluttered. Also, find a way to remind yourself to reply to email messages later instead of keeping them open until you reply. Paraguay - Español.

Speed increases don't end with startup times. Ísland - Íslenska. Every Windows computer is vulnerable to malware , but your risk of infection is low if you regularly use anti-malware programs. Canada - English. This article originally appeared in our sister publication Maximum PC. No matter how good you are about keeping your computer clean and up-to-date, they tend to slow down after time. How old is your laptop? Image credit: Future. Disable unnecessary startup programs. This should bring up the DirectX Diagnostic Tool; on the bottom of the page, it shows you which version of DX you have installed.

But this isn't a measure for the faint of heart. Then run a full scan of your hard disk and, if your package allows, set up regular scheduled scans. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab. In the Drives list, tap or select the drive that you want to clean up and then tap or select OK. Every Windows computer is vulnerable to malware , but your risk of infection is low if you regularly use anti-malware programs. So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. You can even remove the lock screen altogether, going straight to the login screen upon boot. Toggle it off. If you tap or select the program after startup, it will start and run normally.

In the list of Drives , click the hard disk drive that you want to clean. Portugal - Português. Yes No. Make sure the system is managing the page file size. Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. Alternatively use Which? If you have a solid-state drive SSD this process won't be necessary, as Windows will automatically do it for you from time to time in the background. Note Optimizing a drive can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to finish, depending on the size of the drive and degree of optimization required. Sign up now or login.

Toolbars typically appear at the top of your browser window, and often provide their own search box. Pause OneDrive syncing. Make sure all your software is up to date. You'll want to make sure that your computer is running fast when you're using it, too. Contents Exit focus mode. India - English. United Kingdom - English. The power plans you can use depend on the kind of device you have.

You may just be experiencing a slow internet connection due to a faulty router, a bad connection, or limited speed offered by your ISP. Files and folders take longer to open, programs don't shut down as quickly as you'd hope, and delayed logins and startups seem to be a daily occurrence. Should you defrag your hard drive? Disabling a program from running at startup doesn't stop the program from running if you need it. In the list of Drives , click the hard disk drive that you want to clean. Voice Recorder? Make sure the system is managing the page file size. If prompted, type an administrator password or confirmation. No matter how good you are about keeping your computer clean and up-to-date, they tend to slow down after time.

Identifying bloatware Despite the expectation of a digital clean slate, brand new PCs often come preloaded with all kinds of unnecessary programs known as 'bloatware'. Run your antivirus software program regularly. Making the best use of Task Manager is key to mastering control over Windows Launch your antivirus software and make sure it's up to date. Install a solid-state drive SSD Unlike traditional hard drives, solid-state drives SSD are so-called because they have no moving parts. Uninstalling toolbars can be done in the same way as other software. Belgique - Français. Now restart your system. Paraguay - Español.

Windows 10 wants to be helpful, but like a bumbling manservant, sometimes that help is actually less than helpful. The less stuff on your drive, the better it runs. Sometimes, by adding or removing certain program options, you can prevent a program from running at startup. You can even remove the lock screen altogether, going straight to the login screen upon boot. If Windows is running slowly, you can speed it up by disabling certain visual effects. If you use another antispyware program together with Microsoft Security Essentials, we recommend that you turn off real-time scanning in the other program. The Windows 10 lock screen is a pointless innovation. However, your computer itself may actually not be slow. The default balanced plan is usually a good call, but even then you might want to make some adjustments; like disabling certain ports while the monitor is asleep, for example. El Salvador - Español.

Also known as RAM drives, these nifty data storage solutions use thirdparty software to partition a given amount of your memory to be used as data storage instead of random-access memory. Many pre-installed bloatware programs can be uninstalled easily, but the trick lies in knowing what can be safely removed and what you should keep. While many of these tips will also apply to desktop PCs as well as laptops, there's no point messing around with a desktop's power plan. If one background app is chewing up CPU power, or you want to compare the RAM impact of two different browsers, this is the place to do it. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. The Media type column tells you what type of drive you're optimizing. Canada - Français. Colombia - Español. If your PC is connected to mains power, set the power plan to high performance and call it a day.

Removing toolbars Extra web browser toolbars are a classic example of bloatware. Also known as RAM drives, these nifty data storage solutions use thirdparty software to partition a given amount of your memory to be used as data storage instead of random-access memory. Then run a full scan of your hard disk and, if your package allows, set up regular scheduled scans. Toggle off any of these that you want to open manually, such as Spotify or OneDrive, and your system should start up faster. Press and hold or right-click the drive you want to repair, and then tap or select Properties. Read our guides on how to speed up a slow laptop , how to free up disk space and browse our computer repair top tips. Make sure all your software is up to date. Yes No. Uninstalling toolbars can be done in the same way as other software. How old is your laptop?

Australia - English. The larger free space on the hard drive also helps with performance. Try Which? Despite the expectation of a digital clean slate, brand new PCs often come preloaded with all kinds of unnecessary programs known as 'bloatware'. Coronavirus Read our latest advice. Depending upon the size of your hard disk, this may take several minutes. Tap or select Change settings. Having to swipe up or hit the spacebar before logging in slows things down a bit, and using a conventional password is slower, too. Toggle off any of these that you want to open manually, such as Spotify or OneDrive, and your system should start up faster. Remove unwanted programs that are just lingering on your computer.

If these temporary internet files and other useless items stick around for too long, they can not only cause programs to hang and become unresponsive and sluggish, but also take up valuable hard drive space. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. You can still use your device during the optimization process. You may need to download and run a cleanup utility for your previous security application to completely remove it. Spending minutes at a time waiting for your laptop or all-in-one to load up a simple web page or Microsoft Office program can make even a sane person want to throw their PC in the bin. If you find your device slowing down, decide whether you really need to keep all of your programs and windows open at the same time. If you tap or select the program after startup, it will start and run normally. These sometimes come pre-installed on your PC, and many downloadable applications will attempt to add unnecessary toolbars. Also known as RAM drives, these nifty data storage solutions use thirdparty software to partition a given amount of your memory to be used as data storage instead of random-access memory. All Products.

You'll want to make sure that your computer is running fast when you're using it, too. Puerto Rico - Español. Malaysia - English. ReadyBoost can speed up your device by using storage space on flash memory cards and USB flash drives. Despite the expectation of a digital clean slate, brand new PCs often come preloaded with all kinds of unnecessary programs known as 'bloatware'. Ah, the Windows Update. In any case, you may just need to speed up your internet access. Dell XPS 13

While many of these tips will also apply to desktop PCs as well as laptops, there's no point messing around with a desktop's power plan. Another potentially obvious tip for gamers is to keep your GPU drivers up to date. You can still use your device during the optimization process. You can select which visual effects to turn off one by one or you can let Windows select for you. Image credit: Shutterstock. The feature runs automatically on a weekly schedule, but you can also run Optimize Drives manually. The Media type column tells you what type of drive you're optimizing. Having to swipe up or hit the spacebar before logging in slows things down a bit, and using a conventional password is slower, too. How old is your laptop?

Computing Helpdesk. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. You can tweak baseline mouse sensitivity here, too, although we recommend doing that via the physical DPI controls on a gaming mouse. If you use another antispyware program together with Microsoft Security Essentials, we recommend that you turn off real-time scanning in the other program. Also, find a way to remind yourself to reply to email messages later instead of keeping them open until you reply. We also have guides on how to speed up MacBooks. Get rid of unwanted programs Speed increases don't end with startup times. Similarly, it stockpiles small files called 'cookies', which contain information about your browsing history and personal details. You can still use your device during the optimization process. Join the discussion Ask the community.

ReadyBoost can speed up your device by using storage space on flash memory cards and USB flash drives. So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. Any additional feedback? Costa Rica - Español. If Windows is running slowly, you can speed it up by disabling certain visual effects. You can still use your device during the optimization process. The less stuff on your drive, the better it runs. Sometimes you can improve system performance by changing your computing behavior. Nederland - Nederlands. Use a free system cleaner like CCleaner to erase unnecessary junk files in the Windows OS itself, the Windows Registry , and third-party programs like your web browsers, which like to collect cache files.

Show all. So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. From the list of programs that appears, click the program you want to uninstall, then click Uninstall. Over time, the volume of these files can build up. You may also just have dirty hardware. Do I need to buy a new laptop? Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8. Look out for toolbars when installing other programs and make sure you opt out by unticking the tick box.

This tab includes two additional options for freeing up space:. Uruguay - Español. Getting rid of unnecessary files, application and other "junk" is an effective way to speed up any computer. Depending upon the size of your hard disk, this may take several minutes. Try Which? Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Tech Support to get instant access to friendly one-to-one tech and computing advice from Which?. The Check Disk program identifies and cleans any errors. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer.

Make sure you have an Internet security program running on your device before you uninstall other security programs. A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings such as display, sleep, and so on that manages how your device uses power. Spending minutes at a time waiting for your laptop or all-in-one to load up a simple web page or Microsoft Office program can make even a sane person want to throw their PC in the bin. Over time, your device may create errors on its hard drive. A laptop with no room to breath is unlikely to be performing at its best. Follow the instructions above to remove them and, if you're not sure what to get rid of, speak to one of our experts at the Which? Welcome to our guide on how to speed your laptop for free. If you find your device slowing down, decide whether you really need to keep all of your programs and windows open at the same time.

Make sure you have an Internet security program running on your device before you uninstall other security programs. Should you defrag your hard drive? Show all. If your PC is connected to mains power, set the power plan to high performance and call it a day. El Salvador - Español. You can turn off these visual effects to speed things up a bit. Skip to main content. Make sure all your software is up to date. The steps we go through here can breathe new life into your existing laptop. Having to swipe up or hit the spacebar before logging in slows things down a bit, and using a conventional password is slower, too.

The default balanced plan is usually a good call, but even then you might want to make some adjustments; like disabling certain ports while the monitor is asleep, for example. If you have a storage device that will work with ReadyBoost, you'll see an option to use ReadyBoost when you plug it into your device. Make sure the system is managing the page file size. Under Status , tap or select the drive you want to optimize. How old is your laptop? South Africa - English. Identifying bloatware Despite the expectation of a digital clean slate, brand new PCs often come preloaded with all kinds of unnecessary programs known as 'bloatware'. It's not always possible to buy a brand-new laptop, but you can save a huge amount of money and hassle by following these steps to speed up a laptop and get it running like new — all for free. Any additional feedback? You should make sure you've ticked some boxes before spending money on a new laptop.

Malaysia - English. Unlike traditional hard drives, solid-state drives SSD are so-called because they have no moving parts. Costa Rica - Español. Brasil - Português. You may just be experiencing a slow internet connection due to a faulty router, a bad connection, or limited speed offered by your ISP. While many of these tips will also apply to desktop PCs as well as laptops, there's no point messing around with a desktop's power plan. Make sure the system is managing the page file size. Subscribe to Maximum PC.

Installing and uninstalling software and Windows updates, rebooting your computer during an update, forcing your computer to shut down immediately, and other things can cause errors within the Windows system files. Tap or select Change settings. Speed increases don't end with startup times. If prompted, type an administrator password or confirmation. Mac users shouldn't need to defrag at all. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen if using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen and move the mouse pointer down. Launch your antivirus software and make sure it's up to date. Another potentially obvious tip for gamers is to keep your GPU drivers up to date.

You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. Malware removal and a couple of tweaks to your settings are a good place to start. Belgique - Français. Guatemala - Español. If your device takes a long time to start up, one of the causes could be having a large number of startup apps or a few apps that have a high impact on startup time. It may be hidden in the expanded menu; just click the arrow and drag it on to the taskbar if needed. After you've had a computer for a while, you might notice that it's running less slowly than when you first got it. So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures.

Get one-to-one help for your laptop problems If none of the above tips for speeding up your laptop works, you can get one-to-one technology support from Which? After you've had a computer for a while, you might notice that it's running less slowly than when you first got it. What is useful here is the ability to check exactly how much pressure each program is putting on your CPU, GPU, memory, and drives. First up, assign a PIN rather than a password for logging in; four digits and no need to hit Enter, either. Speed increases don't end with startup times. Alternatively use Which? Check for low disk space and free up space. Check for viruses and other malware Run your antivirus software program regularly. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy. Windows 10 wants to be helpful, but like a bumbling manservant, sometimes that help is actually less than helpful.

The larger free space on the hard drive also helps with performance. Chile - Español. Image credit: Shutterstock. Sverige - Svenska. Windows provides numerous interesting visual effects including animated windows and fading menus. If you use another antispyware program together with Microsoft Security Essentials, we recommend that you turn off real-time scanning in the other program. Every Windows computer is vulnerable to malware , but your risk of infection is low if you regularly use anti-malware programs. Toggle it off. Eesti - Eesti. Keep software up to date Make sure all your software is up to date.

Many pre-installed bloatware programs can be uninstalled easily, but the trick lies in knowing what can be safely removed and what you should keep. If these temporary internet files and other useless items stick around for too long, they can not only cause programs to hang and become unresponsive and sluggish, but also take up valuable hard drive space. This article originally appeared in our sister publication Maximum PC. These may include trial versions of software that came with the computer when you bought it, out-of-date antivirus programs, old software or games that you no longer play. Having to swipe up or hit the spacebar before logging in slows things down a bit, and using a conventional password is slower, too. Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. Deutschland - Deutsch. Another potentially obvious tip for gamers is to keep your GPU drivers up to date.

Eesti - Eesti. Colombia - Español. You may also just have dirty hardware. Launch your antivirus software and make sure it's up to date. Reinstalling Windows is a permanent solution, so make sure to back up your files and record any programs you want to make sure to reinstall. Note: If prompted, type an administrator password or confirmation. If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things up. The steps we go through here can breathe new life into your existing laptop.

United States - English. Welcome to our guide on how to speed your laptop for free. Uninstalling toolbars can be done in the same way as other software. But the number of programs that are scheduled to start up when Windows can also have a significant effect. If one background app is chewing up CPU power, or you want to compare the RAM impact of two different browsers, this is the place to do it. Is your laptop only slow when you're carrying out intensive tasks such as editing photos or is it slow no matter what you're doing? Getting rid of unnecessary files, application and other "junk" is an effective way to speed up any computer. Trusted Trader.

Use this tool only if you are comfortable restoring Windows after an error occurs. Dominican Republic - Español. It's not always possible to buy a brand-new laptop, but you can save a huge amount of money and hassle by following these steps to speed up a laptop and get it running like new — all for free. France - Français. Sometimes, by adding or removing certain program options, you can prevent a program from running at startup. Colombia - Español. You can turn off these visual effects to speed things up a bit. The steps we go through here can breathe new life into your existing laptop. Install a solid-state drive SSD Unlike traditional hard drives, solid-state drives SSD are so-called because they have no moving parts.

Toggle off any of these that you want to open manually, such as Spotify or OneDrive, and your system should start up faster. How to speed up a laptop or computer By Michael Passingham. Ísland - Íslenska. Traditionally, when a PC saved a large file to the hard drive, it would break it into smaller pieces and store them across several locations. Network drives can't be optimized. This should bring up the DirectX Diagnostic Tool; on the bottom of the page, it shows you which version of DX you have installed. You can do this with a clean install of Windows. Restore your PC from a system restore point. Deutschland - Deutsch. Unlike traditional hard drives, solid-state drives SSD are so-called because they have no moving parts.

How old is your laptop? Note You must open any program that you do not want to run on startup and change the setting. Clean up everything before you buy new hardware - it's possible that they're just too dirty. Every Windows computer is vulnerable to malware , but your risk of infection is low if you regularly use anti-malware programs. You should then uninstall the other programs. Dell XPS 13 Look out for toolbars when installing other programs and make sure you opt out by unticking the tick box. Here are some must-do activities to keep your PC in tip-top condition. Back to School

Do I need to buy a new laptop? Skip to main content. Australia - English. The default balanced plan is usually a good call, but even then you might want to make some adjustments; like disabling certain ports while the monitor is asleep, for example. You can also pause all updates for up to two weeks; useful if you want to try something in a specific version of Windows Suisse - Français. These empty spaces make your hard drive take longer to think, which in turn causes files, folders, and programs to open slowly. Once the virus is on the computer, it usually stores itself in the system memory, slowing everything down.

A laptop with no room to breath is unlikely to be performing at its best. Press and hold or right-click the drive you want to repair, and then tap or select Properties. Over time, the volume of these files can build up. Indonesia Bahasa - Bahasa. Reinstalling Windows is a permanent solution, so make sure to back up your files and record any programs you want to make sure to reinstall. Philippines - English. Xbox Console Companion? In the Drives list, tap or select the drive that you want to clean up and then tap or select OK. You may need to download and run a cleanup utility for your previous security application to completely remove it. Polska - Polski.

Extra web browser toolbars are a classic example of bloatware. We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. You can do this with a clean install of Windows. It's wise to periodically clean your physical hardware parts. Removing toolbars Extra web browser toolbars are a classic example of bloatware. Read our detailed guide on how to free up disk space if you suspect this is a problem. Press and hold or right-click the drive you want to repair, and then tap or select Properties. Keep software up to date Make sure all your software is up to date.

Argentina - Español. This tab includes two additional options for freeing up space:. After you've had a computer for a while, you might notice that it's running less slowly than when you first got it. Here are some must-do activities to keep your PC in tip-top condition. Luxembourg - Français. But this isn't a measure for the faint of heart. El Salvador - Español. Depending upon the size of your hard disk, this may take several minutes.

Disable unnecessary startup programs. Back to School ReadyBoost can speed up your device by using storage space on flash memory cards and USB flash drives. Launch your antivirus software and make sure it's up to date. Suisse - Français. Tired of waiting and just want a speedy new laptop? A complete fresh install of Windows should only ever be a last resort, when other attempts to salvage your system have failed. Clean up everything before you buy new hardware - it's possible that they're just too dirty. Look out for toolbars when installing other programs and make sure you opt out by unticking the tick box.

So, delete those old video files that you downloaded a year ago and back up all the data you don't readily use , like vacation pictures. Note Optimizing a drive can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to finish, depending on the size of the drive and degree of optimization required. Try Which? If you're still running Windows 7 or older , you may get a small speed boost by defragging your hard drive. Sverige - Svenska. Look out for toolbars when installing other programs and make sure you opt out by unticking the tick box. A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings such as display, sleep, and so on that manages how your device uses power. A complete fresh install of Windows should only ever be a last resort, when other attempts to salvage your system have failed. Reinstalling Windows is a permanent solution, so make sure to back up your files and record any programs you want to make sure to reinstall. ReadyBoost can speed up your device by using storage space on flash memory cards and USB flash drives.

They could even help you if you buy a second-hand laptop or get given one from a friend or relative. You may be best off buying a new laptop. Sometimes, by adding or removing certain program options, you can prevent a program from running at startup. If you have a storage device that will work with ReadyBoost, you'll see an option to use ReadyBoost when you plug it into your device. Your feedback will help us improve the support experience. These errors can slow your device. Check for low disk space and free up space. New Zealand - English. Install a solid-state drive SSD Unlike traditional hard drives, solid-state drives SSD are so-called because they have no moving parts. Select Product Version.