Is your Windows 10 laptop running slow? Over time, laptops accumulate unnecessary files, background processes, and software bloat that can make them sluggish.
The good news? You don’t need to buy a new laptop just follow these 10 proven tips to speed up your Windows 10 laptop and make it run like new again!
Why is My Windows 10 Laptop So Slow?
Before fixing the problem, let’s understand the common causes:
- Too many startup programs
- Low disk space (HDD/SSD full)
- Outdated drivers or Windows
- Too many background apps
- Malware or viruses
Now, let’s speed up your laptop with these easy & effective methods.
1. Disable Startup Programs (Boot Faster)
Too many apps launching at startup slow down your boot time.
How to disable startup programs:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager).
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Right-click unnecessary apps (e.g., Spotify, Skype) and select Disable.
Pro Tip: Only keep essential apps (like antivirus) enabled.
2. Free Up Disk Space (Delete Junk Files)
A full hard drive slows down performance.
How to clean up disk space:
1. Use Storage Sense (Built-in Cleanup Tool)
- Go to Settings > System > Storage
- Turn on Storage Sense (auto-deletes temp files).
2. Manually Delete Temp Files
- Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and delete all files.
3. Uninstall Unused Programs
- Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features
- Remove old software you no longer use.
3. Optimize Your Hard Drive (Defrag HDD or Trim SSD)
For HDD Users: Defragment your drive (improves speed).
- Search for "Defragment and Optimize Drives" in Windows.
- Select your drive and click Optimize.
- For SSD Users: Enable TRIM (keeps SSD fast).
- Open Command Prompt as Admin and type:
[fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0]
4. Adjust Windows for Best Performance
Windows 10 has visual effects that slow down older laptops.
How to optimize performance settings:
1. Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows".
2. Select "Adjust for best performance" (disables animations).
3. Click Apply > OK.
5. Update Windows & Drivers
Outdated software can cause slowdowns.
How to update Windows & drivers:
1. Windows Update
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
- Click Check for updates.
2. Update Drivers
- Press Windows + X or Device Manager.
- Right-click devices (e.g., Display, Network) and select Update driver.
6. Scan for Malware & Viruses
Malware can secretly slow down your laptop.
How to scan for viruses:
1. Use Windows Defender (Built-in Antivirus)
- Search for "Windows Security" > Virus & threat protection.
- Click Quick Scan.
2. Use Malwarebytes (Free Scanner)
- Download from [Malwarebytes.com] and run a scan.
7. Disable Background Apps
Many apps run in the background, wasting resources.
How to disable background apps:
1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
2. Turn off unnecessary apps (e.g., Facebook, Mail).
8. Upgrade Your RAM (If Possible)
If your laptop has less than 8GB RAM, upgrading can dramatically improve speed.
- Check RAM usage in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- If usage is always above 80%, consider adding more RAM.
9. Switch to an SSD (Best Speed Boost!)
Replacing an old HDD with an SSD is the #1 way to speed up a slow laptop.
1. SSDs are 5x faster than HDDs
2. Prices are affordable now (256GB SSD ≈ GH₵ 300–500)
Pro Tip: Clone your HDD to SSD using Macrium Reflect (Free).
10. Reset Windows 10 (Last Resort)
If nothing works, a fresh Windows install can bring back peak performance.
How to reset Windows 10:
1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Click "Get started" under Reset this PC.
3. Choose "Keep my files" (removes apps but keeps personal files).
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Laptop Running Smoothly
By following these 10 proven tips, your Windows 10 laptop will run faster and smoother in no time!
Which tip helped you the most? Let us know in the comments!
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