How to Speed Up Windows 10 Performance

Edited 6 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Windows 10PerformanceOptimizationSpeedSystemSettingsUpgradeSoftwareHardwareTroubleshooting

Windows 10 is a powerful and feature-rich operating system, but like any complex software, it can slow down over time as you use it. Whether you're working from home, gaming, or just want a faster PC, improving your Windows 10 performance can make your computing experience much more enjoyable. This guide will take you through a comprehensive list of steps and strategies to help you speed up Windows 10. No matter your level of technical expertise, these solutions are designed for everyone.

1. Update Windows regularly

Keeping Windows 10 updated is very important to ensure better system performance and security. Windows updates often include performance improvements, so it is important to check for updates regularly and install them.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for Updates.
• Install any available updates.

This process ensures that Windows is running with the latest enhancements and bug fixes.

2. Restart your computer regularly

The simplest way to boost your Windows 10 performance is to restart your computer. Restarting clears the RAM and closes any processes that might be slowing down your computer.

• Simply click the Start menu, select the Power button, and choose Restart.

3. Disable startup programs

Many applications start automatically with Windows and can slow down boot time. Disabling unnecessary startup programs can reduce this time substantially.

• Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
• Click the Startup tab.
• Select a program you don't need to start automatically, then click Disable.

4. Use SSD instead of HDD

Switching from a hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid state drive (SSD) can dramatically increase the speed of Windows 10. SSDs provide faster data access and boot times compared to traditional HDDs.

If you're willing to replace your hardware, this investment can significantly increase performance.

5. Increase RAM

Having more RAM (random access memory) allows your computer to handle more tasks at once, which can improve your system's performance. If you often run large programs or multiple applications at the same time, increasing RAM can help.

6. Adjust Windows 10 visual effects

Windows 10 has many visual effects such as animations and shadows. Disabling or reducing these effects can improve your system speed.

• Type performance in the search bar and select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
• Under the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance, or customize which effects you want to disable.

7. Clear disk space

Having too much stuff on your hard drive can slow down your PC. Use the Disk Cleanup tool to free up space.

• Type disk cleanup in the search bar and select the app.
• Select the drive you want to clean up and click OK.
• Select the files you want to delete and click OK.

8. Uninstall unnecessary software

Over time, you may have installed programs that you no longer use or need. Uninstalling these can free up resources for the applications you actually use.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
• Review the list of installed programs and remove those you don't need by selecting the app and clicking Uninstall.

9. Use ReadyBoost

ReadyBoost can improve system performance by using a USB flash drive as additional memory. This is especially useful if your PC has a low amount of RAM.

• Insert the USB flash drive into your PC.
• Open File Explorer, right-click the USB drive, and select Properties.
• Go to the ReadyBoost tab, select Use this device, and adjust the amount of space you want to allocate.

10. Optimize virtual memory

Windows uses a portion of your hard drive as virtual memory when it runs out of RAM. By optimizing this, you can improve system responsiveness.

• Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
• Click Advanced system settings.
• Under the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
• In the Virtual Memory section, click Change.
• Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, and set a custom size.

11. Defragment your hard drive

If you don't have an SSD, defragmenting your hard drive can improve performance. This process rearranges data so that files are easier to access.

• Type defrag in the search bar and select Defragment and Optimize Drives.
• Select the drive you want to defragment and click Optimize.

12. Disable Cortana

Cortana can use up system resources, especially if you don't use the functionality. Disabling it may free up some resources.

• Type gpedit.msc in the search bar and press Enter.
• Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
• Double-click Allow Cortana, select Disabled, and click OK.

13. Eliminate bloatware and background apps

Many PCs come with pre-installed software that may not be essential to your tasks. Removing bloatware and restricting which apps can run in the background can free up system resources.

• Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• Go to the Processes tab, identify unnecessary processes, right-click, and select End Task.

14. Check for malware and viruses

Malware and viruses can slow down your PC considerably. Running regular scans with Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software ensures that your system is clean and running smoothly.

• Open Windows Security by searching for it in the Start Menu.
• Select Virus & threat protection and click Quick scan or Full scan.

15. Monitor system performance

Using tools like Windows Task Manager and Resource Monitor you can see what resources are being used and where potential bottlenecks are occurring.

• Open Task Manager and click on the Performance tab.
• Review CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.

16. Upgrade drivers

Outdated drivers can cause performance issues. Regular updates can fix bugs and bring improvements.

• Go to Device Manager by searching for it in the Start Menu.
• Expand each category and right-click on each device, select Update Driver.

17. Use the high performance power plan

Windows offers several power plans, and selecting the right plan can make a difference in performance.

• Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
• Select High performance.

18. Use System File Checker and DISM

These built-in tools can fix corrupted system files that might be affecting performance.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• Run sfc /scannow to verify and repair system files.
• Additionally, run Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth as needed.

19. Repair the Windows Registry

Advanced users can manually edit the Windows Registry to disable unnecessary features and increase performance. Be careful, as incorrect changes can cause system problems.

20. Install PC optimization software

There are many third-party applications designed to optimize your PC's performance by cleaning up temporary files, managing startup programs, and suggesting improvements. While many free options exist, make sure you choose a reputable product.

In conclusion, improving Windows 10 performance involves regular maintenance, optimizing settings, and, if possible, upgrading hardware components. Most importantly, understanding your usage habits can help optimize these changes to ensure your system is always performing at its best.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update