HOW TO EASILY INCREASE YOUR PC PERFORMANCE

1. DELETE OLD PROGRAMS

If you have an older computer, you might be surprised at the old, unused programs that are hiding on your hard drive. Visit your “Programs and Features” menu to see a full list and uninstall anything you don’t use regularly.

2. LIMIT PROGRAMS THAT STARTUP AUTOMATICALLY

Programs like Spotify or Skype will automatically start whenever you turn on your computer. You can change the default settings so that these programs won’t take up valuable RAM on startup.

3. CLEAN & DELETE OLD FILES

Are you still storing old pictures from your high school prom or camping trip from 15 years ago? If there are old documents or files you don’t need, simply delete them. If you want to keep your old files, consider moving them to cloud storage such as Google Drive or One Note.

4. UPGRADE YOUR RAM

One of the most straightforward ways to improve the speed of your computer is to upgrade your RAM. Adding an extra 2 to 4 gigs of RAM space is often enough to make a noticeable difference.

5. GET A SOLID STATE DRIVE

Another hardware upgrade you can make to your computer is to install a solid-state drive. This will greatly improve the performance of your computer including starting up and regular tasks.

6. RUN A CLEANER TOOL

In addition to manually cleaning off your files, you should regularly clear your temporary and cached files. Using a free tool such as CCleaner or Malwarebytes, you can keep the hidden files of your computer clear and organized.

7. CLEAR YOUR BROWSING HISTORY & COOKIES

If your browser seems to be running slow it might be time to clear your history and cookies. Your browser saves all of your visits and collects cookies. These small cookies and files can add up quickly and slow down your browsing. Clearing these out regularly is essential in learning how to increase your PC performance and keep things running smoothly if you start to notice any lag in speed.

8. CHECK FOR VIRUSES

A common cause of slow computers is a hidden virus or ransomware file. Make sure you have current anti-virus software that is activated and be sure you are following good digital security practices while online. This will help avoid getting a virus in the first place.

9. KEEP IT COOL

Anytime your computer gets too warm it will, in turn, start to slow down. This is especially true of laptops. As we approach the summer season, make sure your computer is in a well-ventilated area and doesn’t overheat.

10. DON’T FORGET TO SHUT DOWN

It sounds silly, but turning off your computer and turning it back on again can work wonders to increase your computer’s performance. If you’re running into lag on your computer, simply try turning it off, unplugging it and then reconnecting and turning it back on again.