1. Start with an optimization: One of the most basic and important things you can do to speed up your PC is to use a good optimization tool like WinUtilities. This software can help you clean out useless files, fix broken registry entries, uninstall unwanted programs, and more. It can also provide some straightforward ways to tune up and optimize your system for better overall performance. With WinUtilities installed and running, you should start to notice a significant increase in speed and performance of your PC.
2. Adjust virtual memory size: Virtual memory (also known as pagefile or swapfile) is a section of your hard drive that mimics RAM and helps extend your RAM memory if it’s depleted. The default settings may not always be optimal for speeding up your PC, so you can tweak the size of your virtual memory to get better performance. This will involve going into the Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced tab -> Performance Settings -> Advanced tab. Click on the “Change” button under Virtual Memory and change the size to be equal to your physical RAM.
3. Remove unnecessary startup items: Many programs are set to run automatically when Windows starts up. These items take up valuable system resources and can significantly slow down your PC. To stop these items from launching at startup, go to the Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> System Startup. From there, you can disable any programs that you don’t want to automatically start up at system boot.
4. Disable visual effects: Windows includes a variety of visual effects that can make your PC look more visually appealing, but they can also slow it down. To disable these effects and gain a performance boost, you can go to the Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Performance Settings. Under the Visual Effects tab, select “Adjust for best performance”. This will turn off all unnecessary visual effects.
5. Update drivers: Outdated drivers can cause problems with your system and can slow down your PC. To ensure you’re running the latest drivers, use a driver updater program like WinUtilities Driver Updater. This tool can quickly and easily scan your system for outdated drivers, then install the latest versions automatically so your system can run at its peak performance.
6. Adjust Energy Settings: Your energy settings can have a big impact on the performance of your PC. To adjust these settings, go to the Control Panel -> System -> Power Options. Select either “High Performance” or “Balanced” for the best performance.
7. Run a disk defragmenter: Over time, data stored on your hard drive can become fragmented and scattered across different parts of the drive. This makes it harder for your system to find and retrieve the data and can slow down your computer. To counter this, you can use a disk defragmenter like WinUtilities Disk Defragmenter to tidy up your hard drive and keep it running smoothly.
8. Clean up your desktop: Having too many shortcuts, documents, programs, and other objects on your desktop can slow down the performance of your PC. To reduce clutter, organize files into folders and delete any unnecessary shortcuts or files. You can also use a tool like WinUtilities Desktop Manager to temporarily hide items on your desktop, so they’re out of sight but still available if needed.
9. Change file indexing settings: Indexing is a process where Windows keeps track of all the files on your hard drive for faster searches. The default settings may index more files than necessary, which can slow down your performance. To change the file indexing settings, go to the Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced tab -> Indexing Options. Select any folders you don’t need to be indexed, then click “OK”.
10. Scan for viruses and malware: Viruses, spyware, and other malicious programs can clog up your system, causing system slowdowns and crashes. To protect your PC, you should have a reliable antivirus program installed, like WinUtilities Antivirus. This software is designed to detect and remove any malicious programs that might be lurking on your system.