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10 Tips to Speed Up Windows 10

1. Uninstall Crapware (the extra pre-installed software on your PC). Many of these programs load processes at boot time and take up valuable RAM and CPU cycles.
   • Tap the Start button, then on Settings. When the window opens, select Apps & features. Click once on the app you’d like to remove, then click Uninstall.
2. Limit Startup Processes. A lot of programs install side processes that run every time you start your PC. Some of them are not things you need running on your PC all the time.
   • Go to the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Choose the Startup tab to see all the programs that load at Windows startup. Right click on any program to change the status.
3. Clean Up Your Disk. Disk Cleanup finds unwanted junk and files on your PC and offers to delete them all at once. This will most likely only have a noticeable effect on speed if your drive is getting pretty full. Also, schedule regular disk defragmentation by typing Optimize Drives into the Cortana search box.
   • From the Start menu, type Disk Cleanup.
4. Add More RAM. More memory is always a way to speed up PC operations. Extra RAM is pretty affordable. However, many new devices such as Surface tablets don’t allow you to add RAM.
5. Install an SSD Startup Drive. A solid state drive will not only help with Windows startup, but also with loading and using demanding applications. For system speedup, it makes sense to replace your internal startup hard drive, but an external SSD with a USB connection will give you a speed boost in applications usage.
6. Check for Viruses and Spyware. A great (and free) malware-cleanup program is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Also use ongoing anti-malware protection.
7. Change Power Settings to Maximum Performance. This isn’t a good choice if you want to save electricity, but it could boost your computing.
   • Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options. Click the dropdown arrow on the right side and choose High Performance.
8. Use the Performance Troubleshooter. This may find the root cause of your slowdown. Run the other troubleshooters, too.
   • In Cortana’s search box, type troubleshooting and under System and Security, choose Check for performance issues.
9. Change appearance in Performance Options Dialog. If you choose to adjust for best performance, you’ll lose all the visual effects. It might be best to just check the features you enjoy and uncheck the ones you can live without.
   • Type adjust appearance in Cortana. You can adjust for best performance or do a Custom select.
10. Turn Off Search Indexing. If you do a lot of searching, this might not be the best option for you; it will make some searches slower.
    • Type index in the Start search box, select Indexing Options, click Modify. Remove locations being indexed and file types, too.
    • You can also leave search indexing on but stop its process when you need extra speed. Right click on Computer (or This PC) > Manage. Double click Services and Applications, then Services. Double click Windows Search. From the dialog box, you can choose a Startup type of Manual or Disabled.

You can call us today at 501-372-3379 for help with any of these tips, especially 4-6. A consultation with a Systems Consultant is always free.

Past tips from the show