Make Your Computer Run Faster: Three Tips and Tricks
Have you been noticing that your computer is running much more slowly than it was before? Have you been frustrated with the loading times of simple programs such as Internet Explorer or Outlook? If so, you might not need a new computer. There are many reasons why your computer might be running more slowly. Often cited causes include viruses, newly installed software, or recent hardware changes that might be affecting your computer’s operation. However, these are not usually the causes of computer slowdowns. More likely than not, your computer is running more slowly because of something a little more common. If you want to make your computer run faster, follow the three tips below.
1. Clean Up Disk
The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk by searching your disk for files that you can safely delete. You can choose to delete some or all of the files. Use Disk Cleanup to perform any of the following tasks to free up space on your hard disk.
Go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup
Files to delete: (Check only the below items)
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin
Temporary Files
Click OK, then Yes to verify the action.
2. Defragment Your Hard Drive
Defragmenting feels like it belongs in the ’90s, but it’s still as relevant today as it was back then. Over time, as your hard drive fills up, it can no longer find continuous empty space in which to store a file. When this happens, Windows splits the file over multiple spaces. When the file is read, the hard drive cannot just look in one location, but instead has to travel to multiple places to read the entire contents. With enough fragmented files, the computer slows down as it cannot read the drive’s contents efficiently. Defragmenting your drive is simple: go to Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter. Follow the steps from there.
3. Disable Unnecessary Devices
There are many unnecessary devices located within Device Manager. Take the time and go through them. If you identify devices, like a game port that you never use, go ahead and make them disabled. Doing this reduces the number of devices that are initialized when you start your computer. Typically, this allows your machine to load faster. Remember to exercise caution. If you do not know exactly what a device is, never disable it. Doing so can do more harm than good.
Conclusion
Chances are that following the steps in this guide will help improve your computer’s performance. Check your devices, defragment your hard drive, and disable any unnecessary devices. If none of these work, then it is highly recommended that you start searching for viruses and other causes. However, the above tips will usually lead to a good performance boost.
If all else fails, call us at 530.478.1137 for a free computer tune-up when you bring your computer in to the store front (Grass Valley, CA) or write to us regarding your problem at info@rb-com.com.
