How to Speed up Windows 10 and 11?

In this article, you will learn how to speed up Windows 10 and 11. We have discussed every factor that contributes to the overall performance of a computer system. The article is also supported by relevant screenshots where necessary.

As technology has progressed, computers have become an integral part of our daily lives. However, slow computer performance can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming. If you’re a Windows user, you might be wondering how to speed up your computer. Fortunately, there are several ways to optimize your computer’s performance and boost its speed. In this article, we’ll explore the most effective methods to speed up Microsoft Windows.

Both PC hardware and software have undergone tremendous changes in the past few years and the Windows Operating System is no exception. Many people consider startup time to be the only performance indicator, but this consists of a lot more factors than just the startup. The tips we will discuss here to speed up your Windows operating system are equally applicable to all versions of Microsoft Windows, including Windows 10 and 11. 

Speed is important for Microsoft Windows because it directly affects the overall performance and efficiency of the operating system. A slow computer can be frustrating to use and can significantly reduce productivity, especially for tasks that require a lot of processing power, such as gaming or video editing. Additionally, slow computer performance can cause programs to crash, files to become corrupted, and even the operating system to freeze or crash. By optimizing and speeding up your Windows computer, you can improve its stability, reduce the risk of errors or crashes, and increase your overall productivity and satisfaction with your computer.

Uninstall Unused Programs

The latest versions of Microsoft Windows i.e. Windows 10 and 11 have been released with tons of extra software called helper programs. Many of these helper programs load at system startup and consume a valuable amount of RAM and PC cycles.

The first step to speed up Windows 10 or 11 computers is to uninstall any unused or unnecessary programs. There may be some programs that you had installed and you needed just once in your life. You forgot to remove them after getting your work done. All these programs are listed under program and features in the control panel. These programs take up valuable storage space and can cause your computer to run slower. To uninstall a program, go to the Control Panel and select “Programs and Features”. Then, select the program you want to remove and click “Uninstall”. This will remove the program from your computer and free up storage space.

There are also some programs that come in a package with Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has included them with the good intention that you may need them. But, they are not necessarily needed by you. All these programs are not listed in the control panel’s program section. You will need to access them from the apps and feature section of the system settings. To uninstall these programs, follow the following steps.

• Open the Start menu on your PC and click on the “Settings” gear icon.
• In the Settings window, click on “Apps.”
• You will now see a list of all the programs installed on your PC. Scroll through the list and find the program you want to uninstall.
• Click on the program and then click on the “Uninstall” button.
• Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
• Repeat steps 3-5 for any other programs you want to uninstall.

Disabling Startup Programs also speed up Windows 10 or 11

Another reason why your computer may be running slowly is due to the number of programs that start up automatically when you turn on your computer. These programs can slow down your computer’s startup time and consume valuable system resources. The older versions of Windows like Windows 7 had a utility called Microsoft Configuration which you could limit the startup programs from. The latest versions of Windows like Windows 10 and 11 present a sophisticated way of limiting these startup programs. The task manager is now updated in Windows 10 and 11 and the startup option is included right in the task manager. Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut key is used to access the new task manager.

To disable startup programs, follow the following steps.

• Open the Task Manager on your PC by pressing “Ctrl+Shift+Esc” or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.”
• Click on the “Startup” tab.
• You will see a list of programs that are set to start when you boot up your PC.
• Right-click on the program you want to disable and select “Disable.”
• Repeat step 4 for any other programs you want to disable.

Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Over time, your hard drive can become cluttered with temporary files, old downloads, and other unnecessary data. This can slow down your computer’s performance and cause it to run sluggishly. To clean up your hard drive, go to the Control Panel and select “Disk Cleanup”. This will scan your hard drive and identify any unnecessary files that can be safely removed.

 You can also clean up your hard drives by the following method.

• Open File Explorer on your PC by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing “Windows key + E.”
• Right-click on the hard drive you want to clean up and select “Properties.”
• In the Properties window, click on the “Disk Cleanup” button.
• The Disk Cleanup tool will now scan your hard drive for files that can be safely deleted. This may take a few minutes.
• Once the scan is complete, you will see a list of files that can be deleted. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete.
• Click on the “OK” button to delete the selected files.
• Repeat steps 2-6 for any other hard drives you want to clean up.

Updating Your Drivers also speeds up Windows 10 and 11

Outdated drivers can also cause your computer to run slowly. A noticeable impact on performance can be observed if all the drivers are up-to-date. Some of the driver software get automatic updates with the Windows updates and some need to be updated manually. To update your drivers manually, go to the Device Manager and select the device you want to update. Then, right-click on the device and select “Update Driver Software”. This will download and install the latest drivers for your device, which can help improve your computer’s performance.

Add More RAM

If your computer is running slowly, it may be due to a lack of memory (RAM). Adding more RAM can significantly improve your computer’s performance and speed. To add more RAM, open up your computer and insert a new RAM module into an empty slot. Make sure to consult your computer’s manual or a professional technician before attempting to install new RAM.

Use an SSD

Another way to speed up your Windows 10 computer is to use a solid-state drive (SSD) instead of a traditional hard drive. SSDs are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, and can significantly improve your computer’s performance. If you’re using a laptop, you can purchase an external SSD and connect it to your computer via USB.

Disable Visual Effects

Windows includes several visual effects that can slow down your computer’s performance. To disable these effects, go to the Control Panel and select “System”. Then, select “Advanced System Settings” and click on the “Settings” button under the “Performance” section. From there, you can disable any visual effects that you don’t need. The visual effects can also be disabled by the following method

• Click the “Start” button on your desktop and type “Performance” in the search bar.
• Select “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” from the search results.
• Click on the “Visual Effects” tab.
• Select “Adjust for best performance” to disable all visual effects, or select “Custom” to choose which effects to disable individually.
• Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.

Scan for Malware

Malware can significantly slow down your computer’s performance and cause other issues. To scan for malware, use a reputable antivirus program and run a full system scan. This will identify and remove any malware that may be causing your computer to run slowly. Follow the following steps to remove malware and virus from your computer.

• Install and update a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program. Some popular options include Malwarebytes, Norton, and McAfee.
• Run a full system scan with the antivirus or anti-malware program. This may take some time, depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files on your computer.
• Review the results of the scan and take appropriate action. If any malware or viruses are found, follow the prompts to remove them or quarantine them to prevent further damage.
• Restart your computer to ensure that any changes are fully applied.

It’s important to regularly scan for malware to protect your computer and personal information from potential threats. You can also take steps to prevent malware, such as avoiding suspicious websites and downloads, keeping your software up to date, and being cautious when opening email attachments or links.

Keep Your Computer Up-to-Date

It is also important to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest software updates and security patches. These updates can speed up your Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 and protect it from security threats. To check for updates, go to the Control Panel and select “Windows Update”. From there, you can check for and install any available updates. Alternatively, you can check Windows updates from the system settings. Just type “Windows Updates” in “Type here to search” and you will successfully land on the page for system updates.

Disable Search Indexing

By default, Windows indexes your files to make searching faster. However, this can also slow down your computer’s performance, especially on older or slower hardware. To disable search indexing, go to the Control Panel and select “Indexing Options”. From there, you can disable indexing for specific drives or turn off indexing altogether. You can also access indexing options by typing “Index” in the Windows startup search box.

Disable Animations and Transitions

Windows includes several animations and transitions that can make the operating system feel smoother and more polished. However, these animations can also slow down your computer’s performance, especially on older or slower hardware. To disable animations and transitions, go to the Control Panel and select “System”. Then, select “Advanced System Settings” and click on the “Settings” button under the “Performance” section. From there, you can disable specific animations and transitions.

Use ReadyBoost

If your computer is low on RAM, you can use a USB drive with ReadyBoost to improve performance. ReadyBoost uses the storage space on a USB drive as additional memory, which can speed up your computer’s performance. To use ReadyBoost, insert a USB drive into your computer, open File Explorer, right-click on the USB drive, and select “Properties”. From there, select the “ReadyBoost” tab and follow the on-screen instructions.

Disable Background Apps

Windows 10 includes several apps and processes that run in the background, even when you’re not using them. These background apps can consume valuable system resources and slow down your computer’s performance. To disable background apps, go to the Settings app and select “Privacy”. Then, select “Background apps” and turn off any apps that you don’t need running in the background.

Turning on Game Mode also Increase Windows 10 Speed

Windows 10 includes a Game Mode that optimizes your computer’s performance for gaming. Even if you’re not a gamer, turning on Game Mode can help boost your computer’s performance. To turn on Game Mode, press the Windows key + G to open the Game Bar, then click on the settings icon and select “Game Mode”.

Use Performance Troubleshooter

 Windows includes a built-in Performance Troubleshooter that can help identify and fix performance issues. To use the Performance Troubleshooter, go to the Control Panel and select “Troubleshooting”. Then, select “View all” and click on “Performance”. From there, follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter and fix any performance issues.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with slow computer performance, there are several ways to speed up your Windows computer. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can optimize your computer’s performance and boost its speed. Start by uninstalling any unused programs, disabling startup programs, and cleaning up your hard drive. Updating your drivers, adding more RAM, and using an SSD can also significantly improve your computer’s performance. Additionally, disabling visual effects, scanning for malware, and keeping your computer up-to-date with the latest updates and security patches can help keep your computer running smoothly. With these tips, you can enjoy faster and more efficient computer performance.