Link to the original article
Regardless of your computer’s technical parameters and the purpose for which you use it, in time it will lose part of its speed. After long usage the memory will be full of useless files, the operating system will start piling mistakes, loading a browser will take more time than needed and your favourite game will lag. In the current article, I will point out ten ways to solve this problem and as an addition if you check the bottom of the original article you will also find a list of useful and completely free softwares that will easen your work.
Remove the unnecessary software – Each installed program creates records in the registries, takes space in the hard drive and (in most cases) loads unnecessary background processes that works even when you don’t use it. This is why it is advisable to remove all programs you no longer need.
Fix the mistakes in your registries – This is the place, where your Windows operating system stores instructions and options for its configuration and the additionaly installed software. With time multiple mistakes will start appearing in this database, which will not only slow down the computer, but can lead to far more serious complications. Programs like CCleaner and Wise Registry Cleaner are completely free solutions, with which you can quickly and easily solve the problem.
Stay away from viruses and other malware – There is hardly a reason to explain the trouble that viruses can cause. It is extremely important to maintain your antivirus program updated and regularly scan the memory and most importantly the system’s disk, where your OS is installed. This is precisely where most viruses attack, concealed behind a seemingly innocent program.
Defragment the hard disk – After continuos saving and deleting data, the hard disk begins fragmenting the stored information. This means that parts of only one file can be scattered randomly thoughout the disk and in order to read this file, the read-and-write_head has to make multiple unneeded movements through the plate, which rapidly increases the loading time. To avoid this, run the embedded deframenting program periodically or use one of the free suggestions in the bottom of the article.
Check the hard disk for errors – Defragmenting is only part of the problems that can catch up with your hard disk after long usage. Sometimes multiple units turn into the so called bad sectors and in this way make your precious information unavailable and permanently lost. To prevent this you can use the embedded programs for scanning and (optionally) fixing the disk, with which all modern operating systems are provided.
Limit autostaring – Many programs contain processes and instructions created in order to easen and accelerate their work, which turn on with the loading of the operating system itself and continue to work in the background. This could be very useful with software you regularly use, but loses meaning with programs, started once a month. To save yourself from these unnecessary processes, use the specialised software AutoRuns or the built-in instrument MSConfig, available for all Windows versions.
Clean the hard disk often – Exept saving space, this way you contribute to speed of the operating system. After prolonged use your hard disk is flooded with unnecessary files, like temporary databases, program instalation, internet history, useless lists and records and others. You will be surprised to find out how much space they take up. A full disk is a slow one. Solve the problem with the embedded Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) or with one of the programs below.
Keep your operating system updated - No one invents software upgrades with a bad intention. Usually their goal is to improve security and the computer’s speed or to fix a subsequently found bug. If an update of your OS is present, don’t be afraid to take advantage.
Adjust visual effects – Yes, with them your operating systems looks great, but every coin has two sides. The more beautiful your Windows is, the more resources it will need to work. By adjusting the visual effects and removing small features you can significantly increase the speed without ruining the whole vision.
Clean the system’s memory – When you turn off a program, this not always leads to its full stop. Sometimes working processes or post-loaded data are left without a real need. Furthermore, many programs use the so called reserved memory that the operating system grants them in order to work correctly. This mostly happens to our priority programs which are started by us. To bring back this wasted space, use specialised software for optimising the memory or just make a so called cold reboot. This is what the process of the computer’s full shut down to the power’s outage is called. Unlike the alternative method for rebooting which we well know and often use, with the cold one, also known as a hard restart, the whole RAM is cleaned.
With special thanks to Kalina Chtereva