How to Speed Up Your PC

For most people, a slow PC is typically a sign that it might be time for an upgrade. However, that isn’t always necessarily the case. There are a number of steps that you can use to speed up your PC and squeeze some extra life out of it before it’s time to buy a new one. You just need to keep a few key things in mind.

 

First, you should always go through and remove any software that is installed that you’re not actively using. Most new computers come with a host of programs installed that nobody ever touches. This is commonly referred to as "bloatware." Go through and make a list of the applications that you absolutely need. Separate those from the ones that you never plan on using. Then, go through and uninstall all of the useless ones. You should see a bit of a speed boost right away.

 

In a further effort to free up hard drive space, you could also consider uploading a lot of those old documents that you’re not really working with anymore to the cloud. Cloud services like Dropbox are inexpensive and some even have free tiers that give you a set amount of storage space for free. This is a great way to take a little bit of the pressure off your hard drive. It should also give you a performance boost along the way. 

 

In terms of actual upgrades, know that you don’t have to run out and buy a new computer. You can be selective about what you upgrade to give your machine a performance boost. Figure out how much RAM (random access memory) is currently installed in your computer. Then, go online and type in the brand and model number to see the maximu amount of RAM your machine can support. If you’re financially able to, buy as much as you can to get that speed backk to where it needs to be. You can have a professional install it, or you can likely do it yourself. You’ll be able to find RAM installation instructions for your specific computer online.

 

Along the same lines, consider upgrading your older hard drive to a new solid state alternative. Older hard disk drives with spinning platters tend to take awhile to recall information, especially as they fill up. This is a big part of what is giving your PC that slow feeling. A SSD has no moving parts and can recall data almost instantly. Not only will this make it easier to work with files, but it will also allow applications to load much faster as well.

 

Finally, you could consider reinstalling your computer’s operating system in an effort to achieve that speed increase you’re after. The instructions for how to do this will vary depending on the operating system you’re using. Just make sure that you back up any important files that you can’t afford to lose before you do so to avoid any potential problems.