How to Improve Computer Speed in Windows 11/10/8/7 [Step-by-Step Tutorial]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Sherly 

Updated on April 22, 2024

This article focuses on how to boost computer performance and achieve a faster and smoother computing experience without upgrading your hardware. Let's delve into the learning process.

This article offers nine quick solutions to help you address the "computer running slow" issue:

All computers eventually experience slower performance at some point. As software requirements become more demanding, how your PC responds to these changes can significantly affect its overall performance. Let's now proceed to learn the solutions one by one. Please consider sharing this article with your friends.

Solution 1. Update Drivers

Keeping your device drivers up to date can also contribute to enhancing your PC's performance. A reliable tool like DriverHandy can assist in automatically updating all your drivers. To give it a try, please follow the guide below:

Step 1. Download and launch the tool DriverHandy, then open it.

Step 2. Click "Scan" to efficiently find all drivers that need to be updated.

Step 3. Select everything you want to update and click "Update All."

Solution 2: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

When you power on your computer, certain programs launch automatically and run in the background. You can disable these targeted programs so that they don't run at startup, which can also help speed up your computer. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. To open Task Manager, press Shift + Ctrl + Esc.

Step 2. It will display a list of all installed programs and show how much RAM each one occupies.

Step 3. Click "Startup," right-click on the target program, and select "Disable."

If you're wondering how to add RAM to your device, there's a link provided to assist you.

Can I Use My SD Card as RAM on Android and Windows?

This article delves into the process of using your SD card as RAM on both Windows and Android.

Solution 3: Pause OneDrive Sync

Files need to be synchronized between your PC and OneDrive, and this synchronization can slow down your PC. You can temporarily pause OneDrive syncing to attempt to improve your PC's performance.

Step 1. Find OneDrive in the notification area on the taskbar.

Step 2. Click OneDrive > More > Pause syncing.

Step 3. You can opt to pause syncing for 2, 4, or 12 hours.

Solution 4: Ensure the System is Managing the Page File Size

The paging file is a section on the hard drive that Windows utilizes for memory purposes. In Windows 10, there's an option to automatically manage the paging file size, which can enhance your PC's performance. To give it a try, follow these steps:

Step 1. Type advanced system in the search bar, and then choose View advanced system settings.

Step 2. In System Properties, click on the Advanced tab, and then click on Settings in the Performance section.

Step 3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Change in the Virtual Memory section.

Click the "Advanced" tab.

Step 4. Make sure the option "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" is selected. After that, restart your PC to check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 5: Check Disk Space and Free Up More

Allocating more space to the C drive is an effective method to enhance computer performance. tools Partition Master is a professional disk management tool that enables you to expand your C drive to gain additional space. It can directly merge unallocated space, regardless of its location on the hard disk, into the C drive. Furthermore, you can also move partitions so that the unallocated space becomes adjacent to the partition you wish to expand.

You can download it and follow the guide below to extend the C drive.

Option 1. Extend the System C drive with unallocated space

1. Right-click on the System C: drive and select "Resize/Move."
2. Drag the system partition end into the unallocated space to add it to the C: drive, then click "OK."
3. Click "Execute Task" and "Apply" to execute the operations and extend the C drive.

Option 2. Extend System C drive without unallocated space This option refers to expanding the System C drive even when there is no unallocated space available.

1. Right-click on a large partition with sufficient free space on the system disk, and select "Allocate Space." 2. At the "Allocate Space From (*) To" section, select the system drive, and drag the end of the System C drive into the unallocated space. Click "OK" to confirm. 3. Click "Execute Task." It will display the pending operations. Click "Apply" to save the changes and extend the C drive.

0:00-0:26 Extend the System Drive with Unallocated Space; 0:27-0:58 Extend the System Drive without Unallocated Space.

This utility can also assist in extending other drives to resolve "low disk space" issues or aid in effective management of your disk partitions. Let's explore more of its features.

Key features of Partition Master:

• Check disk for errors
• Free up space on C drive
• Move Unallocated Space to C drive
• Wipe or format the hard drive to gain more space
• Partition hard drive to speed up hard drive
• Resize, create, delete, merge, or split partitions

With this tool, you can effortlessly manage your disk partitions. Download it now to enhance your computer's performance.

Solution 6: Restore PC from a System Restore Point

Restoring your PC will reverse recent changes that might be causing the issue. If recently installed Windows apps or drivers are causing problems with your PC, you can improve its performance by restoring it to an earlier point in time (Restore point).

Step 1. Type restore point in the search bar. Then choose the "Create a restore point" option from the search results.

Step 2. In the System Protection section, select System Restore.

Step 3. Click Next to proceed, then choose a restore point related to the problematic applications, drivers, or updates. Select Next > Finish之后.

If you are unable to create a restore point, click the link for assistance.

Solution 7. Adjust the Performance and Appearance of Windows

Windows 10 offers numerous visual effects, like animations and shadow effects, that look impressive. However, these visual elements consume extra system resources and can slow down your PC's performance.

To make adjustments, follow these steps:

Step 1. Type "Performance" in the search box and select "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows."

Step 2. Select Adjust for best performance > Apply.

Solution 8. Check and Remove Virus and Malware

Viruses or malware can sluggish your PC or induce other issues. It's crucial to scan for viruses and malware to maintain your device's optimal performance. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Locate the search box on the taskbar, type "Windows Security" in it, and click on it to open.

Step 2. Choose Virus & threat protection, then navigate to Current threats. Click on Scan options, followed by Windows Defender Offline scan, and finally, select Scan now.

Step 3. Windows Defender Offline will scan for viruses and malware, which takes around 15 minutes. After the scan, your PC will restart again.

Conclusion

想要让Windows运行得更快吗？我们为您提供九种有效的方法来解决这个问题。尝试这些技巧，您的电脑将变得更加响应，并减少性能和系统问题的发生。

Additionally, we've recommended a professional tool, Partition Master, for managing your hard drives. It can test your disk's performance and monitor its temperature, contributing to the health of your hard drive and PC. Download it to address your concerns.

"Speed Up Computer Performance" 常见问题解答

Improved PC performance leads to a better user experience. Here, we've compiled a list of additional questions and answers related to computer performance. Feel free to refer to them if you need assistance.

**1. How can I improve my PC's performance for free?**

There are numerous ways you can attempt to boost your PC's performance for free, including:

• Suspend OneDrive synchronization
• Update outdated drivers
• Upgrade the PC's RAM
• Free up hard drive space
• Disable unnecessary startup programs

And you can use a reliable program, Partition Master, to manage your hard drive effectively for a faster PC performance.

2. Why is my PC running so slowly?

Having multiple applications and web browsers open simultaneously can slow down your PC. Alternatively, your memory might be taken up by apps that launch automatically and run in the background or ones you opened but didn't remember to close.

**3. What upgrades can increase computer speed?**

You can enhance your computer's performance by adding more and faster RAM, upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) for storage, or overclocking your CPU.