▷ How to optimize pc performance 【best methods】?

In this tutorial we will show you some ways to optimize the performance of the Windows computer, especially if it has been running very slowly.

Index of contents

How to optimize PC performance

It is not your imagination, it is quite common that over time a Windows PC begins to work more slowly every day, without you being able to see at a glance what the reason is.

We all know how frustrating it can be for a computer to take forever to perform an apparently simple task. A slow computer can cost you time and even money in the long run. For many computers, there is a solution, and we are not talking about a flashy new computer. If you have a slow computer, a few hours available, basic Windows knowledge and a web browser, then this tutorial is for you.

But first let's clarify some questions regarding this tutorial:

• The order in which the following optimizations, maintenance operations, and more are presented in this tutorial does not need to be followed. It is simply the order we have chosen. All the steps in this tutorial are optional. We will let you know if a particular optimization is a little more advanced, and you will decide if you want to venture down that path. These optimizations are intended for Windows 10, although some They will work with previous versions of Windows. If you encounter any technical problem during this tutorial (you shouldn't), Google is your best friend to solve them, although you can ask us too, that we always try to help you as much as possible. It is recommended Please make a full backup of all important files before starting this tutorial. If you follow this tutorial incorrectly, we will obviously not be responsible for any damage.

Remove malware, spyware and adware

Malware, spyware and adware can greatly slow down your computer. Although there are many free utilities that can scan your computer and remove these nasty bugs, we recommend using Microsoft Security Essentials because it is a free antivirus and malware scanner, keylogger and much more.

Download it from the Windows page, install it and run "Quick Scan" or "Complete." Quarantine or remove any problems you find.

For advanced users: it is also recommended to install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This free software helps you fight malware even more effectively.

Run error checking

Occasionally, it is a good idea to check your hard drives or for errors; that is, corrupted files that can slow down access speeds to the drive.

To access the “Error checking” utility, open Windows Explorer by pressing Win + E and select, in the left column, “This Computer”. Right-click a drive icon. Select "Properties" and then "Tools".

Now hit "Check" in the "Checking for Errors" section. The utility will then scan the unit. This process may take several minutes to complete.

It is recommended to run error checking periodically (every few months) on any hard disk you use regularly.

Cleaning unnecessary files

Deleting unnecessary files from your computer can improve its performance. To do this, we recommend using CCleaner. We don't know if you know, but it comes from the abbreviation for Crap Cleaner. It is a free and easy to use maintenance utility for Windows. Thousands of users in the world have been using it for years to remove junk files from the computer without any problem.

Note: Never defragment your SSD, it is not necessary and you end up cutting its life time.

Once downloaded and installed, run the application. Press the "Analyze" button. After a few minutes, CCleaner will display a list of files (temporary internet files, cookies, Windows log files, and more) that you can delete to free up disk space. Now hit "Run Cleaner". When the cleaning is done, you can close the application.

For advanced users: CCleaner also has a built-in registry cleaner (in the Registry tab), and the ability to control which applications start automatically when Windows starts (Tools), which can speed up the startup time of your computer. This is not recommended for beginners.

Uninstall unused programs

Removing programs you don't need can free up disk space and speed up your computer's startup time. To do this, press Win + X in Windows 10, select "Control Panel" and then select "Add or remove programs" or "Programs and features" (depending on your version of Windows).

Uninstall any application that you know for sure that you do not use or need. For beginners, it is recommended that if you are not absolutely sure what a specific program is for, do not uninstall it. Uninstalling some programs may require a restart.

Turn off visual effects

An important step is to disable Windows visual effects like window animations, fades and slides, and so on. This will decrease the visual appeal of Windows, but may increase the performance of the computer a little, especially if the computer is more than 6 years old. To do this, carry out the following instructions:

Press Win + X and then select "Control Panel." Then select "System" and "Advanced System Settings" on the left. On the "Advanced Options" tab, click "Settings" in the "Performance" section. Now select "Adjust for best performance" and click OK.

You can also select the “Personalize” option and try to enable / disable the different settings to see what visual / performance options you can do without, and which ones seem to improve the Windows experience in terms of speed and responsiveness.

High performance power settings

Windows has a power setting that can be configured so that the computer favors performance rather than power savings, or vice versa. To access these settings, press Win + X and select "Power Options." Select the "High Performance" option to get more out of your computer's performance.

Make sure Windows is up to date

In general, it is a good idea to keep Windows and the most used applications up to date so that they can run optimally. To keep Windows up to date, use Windows Update, which is usually found in the Start menu> All Programs> Windows 10 Update Assistant. You can also configure Windows to automatically download and install updates through this same interface.

Like other software applications you use regularly, you have at least two basic options to keep everything up to date:

• Some apps have a built-in feature to update. If so, use this feature. Periodically download and install the latest version of the app from the developer's official website.

Note: Windows no longer allows disabling automatic updates

Disk Defragmenter

For hard drives, it is recommended to defragment them from time to time, in order to access files faster. If the computer is used frequently, it is a good idea to defragment every one to two months, and less often if it is not used regularly.

To open "Defragment and Optimize Drives, " you can search for it from Cortana, or go to Windows Explorer and right-click on a drive icon and select "Properties." In the "Tools" tab press "Optimize".

The utility will clean up the fragmented files and free up space on the drive. This process can take several hours depending on the size of the drive and the number of files on the drive, so it is recommended to start this process before going to bed or plan to be away from the computer for a while.

Consider using open source software

Open source software is often faster and lighter than bulky and expensive commercial software applications / suites. The following list shows just some of the open source alternatives to commonly used Windows applications.

Commercial version	Open source version
Adobe acrobat	PDF Creator
Microsoft Outlook	Thunderbird
Adobe illustrator	Inkscape
Microsoft Office	Openoffice
Adobe photoshop	GIMP
iTunes	Songbird
Skype	QuteCom
McAfee VirusScan	ClamWin

Switching to open source software is easy. Simply open Google.com in your favorite browser and search for "open source alternatives." You'll find thousands of websites that provide information on open source alternatives, as well as links to download them.

We want to make it clear that each application is a world and the use you give it can serve you an open source or at the end you will have to go through the box.

Clean the facility

If the above steps haven't made your computer feel faster, you may want to reinstall Windows and start again. This is often seen as a last resort, but it can help regain that new sense of computer speed. In fact, many advanced users do this routinely (every 6 months to a year) so their computers are working excellently.

If you are open to the idea of ​​reinstalling Windows, this is what is normally done:

• Back up all your important files, such as documents, images, and music. Insert the Windows disk (restore disk or full installation disk) into your computer's CD / DVD drive, restart your computer, and then, follow the prompts for creating a new partition and installing a new copy of Windows. If you don't know where the Windows disk is, you will need to contact the person or company that sold you the computer.Once Windows is installed, reinstall any additional software you plan to use and restore the backup files.

Add more memory (RAM) or solid state drive (SSD)

If you still don't notice a significant increase in your computer's performance after following this tutorial, your hardware may need a little upgrade, too.

Increasing the RAM on your computer is an update that can improve the Windows experience, especially when it comes to multitasking.

Swapping out a hard drive for an SSD (Solid State Drive) can also increase performance significantly because data can be read and written to the hard drive much faster.

If you decide to buy more RAM or upgrade to an SSD, it is recommended that you consult us so that we can help you choose correctly. Because new parts must be compatible with the equipment and installed correctly.

We recommend reading some of our best hardware guides:

• Best processors on the market Best RAM memory on the market Best SSDs on the market Best RAM memory on the market

More software to optimize PC performance

Iolo System Mechanic

This software removes junk files and unwanted applications, removes RAM, blocks bloatware and unwanted auto-run settings, cleans various logs, browser histories and caches.

This achieves a fundamental release of system resources, as well as the elimination of traces of your activity after browsing the Internet, all this in order to provide protection to your privacy.

The free edition is more than enough, however, the two premium versions (System Mechanic and System Mechanic Pro) are recommended if you plan to use them regularly.

IObit Advanced SystemCare

IObit Advanced SystemCare comes in two formats: with a free version that takes care of a quick PC cleanup, and a paid Pro version, which improves internet speed, optimizes in real time, protects privacy, deeply cleans the registration and provides 24/7 technical support.

Whichever edition you prefer, the IObit Advanced SystemCare environment is well designed, simple to use, and unlikely to scare even the newest PC user.

Like most free PC optimization software, it cleans up files and folders you don't need, and does error correction on your hard drive, all through a simple control panel.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2018

It is a fast and complete scanner, and it comes with a set of well-designed maintenance tools. The biggest attraction of this software is its flexibility, since you can scan unnecessary files, web browser cookies and broken registry entries with a single click, and delete them all with another click.

Alternatively, you can drill down further by selecting the "Details" button to review the results of each scan. Unlike some PC optimization tools, Ashampoo WinOptimizer gives a complete description of each problem that is identified, explaining exactly what it is, and why you should consider removing it. You can then make an informed decision about whether to delete or keep it.

WinOptimizer also includes a set of "modules" for routine maintenance tasks such as defragmenting hard drives and optimizing startup processes.

All these tasks could be performed within Windows itself, but having them available in a single program is much more convenient than searching the menus.

Razer Cortex: Game Booster

This free PC optimization software suspends unnecessary system processes, erases memory and defragments the system for best possible PC performance.

It's available for Windows 7, 8, and 10, and while the differences won't surprise you too much, for most people the results will mean slightly smoother visual enhancements rather than surprising performance enhancements. Plus, it automates the cumbersome process of disabling unnecessary software and services when it's time to play.

Final Conclusion on how to optimize PC performance

Congratulations! You have completed this tutorial on how to optimize the performance of the Windows PC. Optimizing your PC can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the internal hardware, operating system, and general configuration of your computer.

However, the steps we have seen will take you through some basic tips and recommendations to optimize computer performance so that you can get the most out of your hardware. Surely you have learned a lot and you have been able to verify that your PC can still improve with a few slight touches, either by software or by hardware.

This is useful both for those who have an older PC that only meets the minimum requirements, and for those who have the latest graphics card and the latest PC components. What did you think of our article how to optimize PC performance? Have we forgotten something? We want to know your opinion.