Free and Effective Ways to Make Your Computer Run Faster

A computer is not only a tool for work but also an indispensable companion in our daily lives. However, one common issue that every user will face is a slow computer over time. So how can you make your computer run faster without upgrading the hardware?

Sometimes, just a few small changes can make a big difference in the performance of your computer. Therefore, this article will summarize and guide you through ways to make your computer run faster without spending a fortune. Just follow these steps, and FPT Shop believes that your computer will be as smooth and fast as new.

NOTE: This article uses instructions on Windows 10. However, you can also apply it to Windows 7/8/11.

Reasons why your computer is slowing down

The phenomenon of a slow computer can come from various causes, including outdated hardware and outdated software. Here are some of the most common reasons:

• Insufficient RAM: A computer with low RAM will give you a slow and laggy experience when running multiple applications at the same time.
• Full hard drive: When the hard drive is almost full, the computer will slow down because the system has to work harder to find and store data.
• Traditional HDD: HDDs have slower read/write speeds compared to SSDs, which reduces overall performance.
• Malware: Malware, spyware, or viruses can slow down a computer by using system resources.
• Outdated software: Outdated software or operating systems may not be optimized, resulting in slow and laggy performance.
• Too many installed applications: Many background applications can use up system resources such as RAM and CPU, slowing down the computer.
• Improper system customization: If you set up your system improperly, the performance of your computer may not be maximized.
• Running too many programs at once: Having too many programs running at the same time can slow down the computer.

These are common reasons why your computer is slowing down. Now, let’s find out how to make your computer run faster.

How to make your computer run faster for free

Here are some tips and tricks that will help improve the performance on your computer. They are all completely free, and you can easily do them yourself.

Clean up your computer’s hard drive

Cleaning up your hard drive is an important step to optimize the performance of your computer. To clean up your hard drive, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Use the “Disk Cleanup” tool in Windows 10

Open the tool: Click on the Start button, type “Disk Cleanup” and select the tool from the list of results.

Select the drive to clean up: The system will ask you to select the drive you want to clean up. Choose the system drive (usually C:) and click OK.

Select files to delete: Disk Cleanup will scan and display a list of file types that you can delete, including temporary files, files in the Recycle Bin, and old Windows updates. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete and click OK.

Step 2: Uninstall unused software

Access the Control Panel: Right-click on the Start Menu and select Control Panel, then click on Programs and Features.

Uninstall software: Browse through the list of installed programs, select unnecessary ones, and click Uninstall or Change/Remove to remove them from your system.

Step 3: Delete or move large files

Search for large files: Use tools like WinDirStat or TreeSize to identify the largest files on your computer.

Delete or move: Delete any unnecessary large files. For important files, consider moving them to an external hard drive or cloud storage service to free up disk space on your computer.

Optimize startup

Optimizing the startup process is a necessary step to improve the speed and overall performance of your system. Here are the steps to perform this trick:

Step 1: Access Task Manager to manage startup apps

Open Task Manager: Use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination to open the Task Manager window.

Go to the Startup tab: Here, you will see a list of all applications set to automatically run when your computer starts up.

Step 2: Manage startup apps

Evaluate the apps: Review the list and identify any unnecessary apps that do not need to run immediately upon computer startup. Background apps like web browsers, cloud synchronization tools, or media players may not be necessary and can slow down the startup process.

Disable unnecessary apps: Select the apps you want to disable and click the Disable button at the bottom right corner of the window. This will prevent them from automatically starting and help your computer start up faster.

Implementing these changes can significantly reduce your computer’s startup time, allowing you to start working quickly without waiting for unnecessary apps.

System optimization

System optimization is an important process to ensure that your computer operates as efficiently as possible. Here are the steps to perform this trick:

Step 1: Optimize the hard drive with the Defragment tool

Open the Defragment tool: Type Defragment and Optimize Drives into the Windows search bar and open the tool.

Select the drive to optimize: In the tool window, select the drive you want to optimize.

Perform the optimization: Click Optimize to start the defragmentation process. This will rearrange the data on the hard drive, improving access speed and read/write performance.

Note: You do not need to use this tool for SSDs.

Step 2: Adjust performance options

Access System Properties: Right-click on This PC on your desktop or in File Explorer, select Properties, then click on Advanced system settings.

Tweak performance: In the Advanced tab, click on Settings under the Performance section.

Select Adjust for best performance: In the Performance Options window, select Adjust for best performance to optimize your computer’s performance by reducing unnecessary visual effects.

Update Drivers and Windows

Updating drivers and Windows not only helps your computer operate stably but also improves performance and security. Follow these steps to perform this trick:

Step 1: Update Windows

Access Windows Update: Open Windows Update from the Windows start menu.

Check for updates: Click on Check for updates to let Windows automatically search and download the latest updates.

Install updates: Follow the update process and restart your computer if prompted to complete the installation.

Step 2: Update Drivers

Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager to view all the hardware components of your computer.

Check for outdated drivers: Look through the list of devices and check for any yellow exclamation marks, which may indicate that a driver needs updating.

Update the driver: Right-click on the device that needs updating and select Update driver.

You can choose Search automatically for updated driver software to let Windows find and install the latest driver.

Alternatively, you can also visit the manufacturer’s website directly to download the latest drivers.

Resource management

System resource management is an essential part of optimizing the performance of your computer. Here is a detailed guide to help you effectively optimize your computer:

Step 1: Analyze system resources

Open Resource Monitor: Type Resource Monitor into the Windows search bar and open this tool.

Examine resources: In the Resource Monitor window, you will see tabs such as CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network. This is where you can monitor the resource usage of each application.

Step 2: Optimize and manage applications

Evaluate applications: Identify the applications that consume the most resources. Sometimes, an unimportant or rarely used application may be using a significant amount of CPU or memory resources.

Closing or uninstalling applications: If you identify unnecessary applications, you can choose to close them via the Task Manager or uninstall them completely from your system.

Improve security and remove malware

Protecting your computer from malware threats is an important step to ensure that your computer runs smoothly and securely. Follow these steps to perform this trick:

Step 1: Use antivirus software to scan and remove malware and viruses.

Step 2: Install and run reliable anti-malware tools to protect your computer.

Note: Windows 10 also has an integrated antivirus tool called Windows Security. However, you can choose other software according to your personal preference.

Manage privacy and background apps

Managing privacy settings and background apps on your computer not only enhances security but can also significantly improve system performance. Here is a detailed guide to effectively optimize your computer:

Step 1: Adjust privacy settings

Open system settings: Click on the Windows icon and select Settings, or use the shortcut Windows + I.

Go to privacy: In the Settings window, find and select Privacy.

Control access: Browse through the options and adjust the app’s access to personal information such as location, camera, microphone, and others.

Step 2: Manage background apps

Find background apps: In the same Privacy window, scroll down and select Background apps.

Turn off unnecessary apps: You will see a list of apps that can run in the background. Turn off any apps that you don’t regularly use or don’t need constant notifications from.

Turning off background apps not only helps reduce system resource consumption but also enhances your privacy by limiting the number of apps that can access personal data.

How to make your computer run faster (paid methods)

In addition to the “free” ways to make your computer run faster mentioned above, you can also consider some hardware upgrade methods below. These methods may require some cost but are sure to surprise you with their effectiveness.

Increase RAM

Upgrading RAM is a smart investment decision that can bring significant changes to the speed and multitasking capabilities of your computer.

Step 1: Check and choose the appropriate RAM

Check the current configuration: Use tools like CPU-Z or System Information to determine the type and capacity of your current RAM.

Research compatibility: Based on your computer or motherboard manufacturer’s information, choose the appropriate RAM type for your system.

Decide on the capacity: Determine the RAM capacity you want to upgrade based on your usage needs and budget.

Step 2: Purchase and install new RAM

Purchase from a reputable supplier: Choose to buy RAM from reputable suppliers to ensure quality and warranty.

Install RAM: Open your computer and install the new RAM according to the technical instructions. If you’re not confident, seek professional repair services.

Switch to SSD

SSD is one of the most effective hardware upgrades to enhance the performance of your computer. With superior read/write speeds compared to traditional HDDs, SSDs not only reduce startup time but also accelerate application responsiveness.

Step 1: Choose the appropriate SSD

Determine your needs: Evaluate the necessary storage capacity and usage purpose to choose the right SSD.

Compare prices and performance: Research different SSD models, compare prices, speeds, and durability to make an informed purchasing decision.

Step 2: Upgrade and install SSD

Back up your data: Before performing the upgrade, back up all important data.

Perform the upgrade: Remove the old HDD and replace it with the new SSD. Use cloning tools to transfer data or reinstall the operating system if necessary.

Conclusion

A slow computer is an inevitable part of tech life. However, FPT Shop believes that the methods mentioned in this article will help you improve performance on your device. Depending on your needs and financial ability, choose the most suitable method.