A sluggish computer can be immensely frustrating. Simple tasks like launching apps, browsing the web or switching between windows can test your patience as you stare at a spinning wheel, waiting for something to happen. Over time, these small delays compound and can make everything you do on a computer feel like a chore. The truth is relatively simple adjustments can accelerate and revitalize even the most stubbornly lethargic machine.
How To Speed Up your Computer Or Laptop
Whether your computer is new or old, it’s important to keep it well-maintained. Over time, files and programs can accumulate, slowing down performance. Regularly uninstalling unused software, clearing cache and temporary files, and defragmenting your hard drive can help optimize speed. Additionally, ensuring you have enough free disk space and RAM will prevent bottlenecks that cause lagging.
The age of your computer and any recent changes can provide clues about performance issues. If you’ve had your device for several years, or recently installed updates or new software, that could explain a slowdown. Additionally, large file downloads or migrations can temporarily impact speed while the transfers complete.
To diagnose the issue, check if everything is lagging or just specific programs. You can find your computer’s processor speed in the System Information or About This Mac section. A good range is 2-4 GHz for most tasks, but CPU-intensive applications like video editing may require more power. If everything is sluggish, you may need to upgrade components, or consider disposing of your current computer and buying a new machine.
If your computer is running slowly, there are several steps you can take to speed it up. Start by closing any unnecessary programs and browser tabs, and try these 10 steps:
- Delete Unnecessary Files
- Uninstall Unused Programs
- Run Disk Cleanup
- Defrag Hard Drive
- Add More Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Scan and Remove Malware
- Stop Background Processes
- Adjust Visual Effects
- Clean Out Computer Ventilation
- Refresh Operating System (OS) Installation
1. Delete Unnecessary Files
Problem: Slow file saves/opens; “hard drive is full” errors; low storage warnings.
Reason: An overloaded hard drive filled with unused program installers, old documents, downloaded movies you never watch and other cruft dramatically slows down your computer. All this data needs to be loaded from the physical drive, which is extremely slow compared to RAM.
Solution: Deleting unused files frees storage space and eliminates unnecessary drive access.
- Windows: Open File Explorer and browse folders containing large unused files like videos, downloads, pictures, etc. Delete them by right-clicking and choosing delete. Empty recycle bin after.
- Mac: Open Finder and navigate to folders like Movies, Downloads and Photos with large files. Drag unused files to Trash to delete. Then empty the Trash.
2. Uninstall Unused Programs
Problem: High RAM/CPU usage; the computer lags when multitasking; programs crash more frequently.
Reason: Too many installed programs, especially bulky productivity suites, graphics editors and media apps, launch dozens of background processes that quietly consume RAM and CPU cycles even if you never open the apps.
Solution: Uninstalling this unused software kills all their associated background tasks, freeing up system resources immediately.
- Windows: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. Select unused apps and choose Uninstall. Confirm uninstallation for each program.
- Mac: Open the Finder menu and choose Applications. Drag unused apps from the Applications folder to Trash to uninstall. Then empty the Trash.
3. Run Disk Cleanup
Problem: Hard drive space is disappearing rapidly; slow boot times as unnecessary files load.
Reason: Windows system file debris and temporary caches that accumulate over time. These system files still take up drive space like any other data and can amount to many gigabytes of dead weight.
Solution: Removing them frees storage and eliminates unnecessary access to these bloated system files. Run Disk Cleanup (Windows) or Free up space (Mac):
- Windows: Right-click the C: drive and choose Properties > Disk Cleanup. Choose files to delete, and click OK > Delete Files button.
- Mac: Go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage tab. Click the Manage button. Assess and delete old unnecessary files.
4. Defrag Hard Drive
Problem: Programs, files and folders take a long time to open; saves/transfers crawling.
Reason: File fragmentation forcibly spreads pieces of files across disjointed sectors of a storage disk. This requires mechanically seeking and rotating the physical drive more to read/write a single file’s contents.
Solution: Defragmenting physically consolidates fragmented data so each file occupies one continuous block. This reorganization reduces physical head movements, lowering access times considerably.
- Windows: Open This PC/My Computer. Right-click the C: drive and choose Properties > Tools > Optimize. Choose the Defragment and optimize drive option.
5. Add More Random Access Memory (RAM)
Problem: System constantly writing data to virtual memory on hard drive; extreme lag when multitasking.
Reason: Insufficient RAM forces the computer to constantly offload data to the hard drive, which is extremely slow compared to RAM. More RAM lets commonly accessed apps and associated files stay cached in high-speed memory instead of resorting to a “virtual” drive storage.
Solution: Upgrading RAM allows more data access directly in memory, making things run smoother.
- Windows and Mac: Determine available slots for more RAM, purchase compatible new RAM sticks, power down the computer, and install new RAM by opening the case and inserting it into the motherboard.
6. Scan and Remove Malware
Problem: Pop-up ads; unusual activity like cryptocurrency mining; new unwanted browser toolbars and search engines; the computer lags severely in bursts.
Reason: Hidden viruses, trojans, spyware and other nasty malware secretly run tasks that steal system resources. They can modify sensitive data, track user activity, mine cryptocurrency and dramatically reduce performance.
Solution: Detecting and removing these parasitic programs eliminates unwanted system behaviors immediately.
- Windows and Mac: Download and run a malware scanner like Malwarebytes. Let it scan the system and detect threats. Choose to evaluate all threats and quarantine/remove them as necessary.
7. Stop Background Processes
Problem: High central processing unit (CPU) or RAM usage even when the computer appears idle; fans are spinning loudly even with no programs being open.
Reason: Many applications automatically launch helper programs and run updates in the background even if you are not actively using the apps. For example: music, chat clients and online storage sync apps. These unseen background processes quietly eat up RAM and CPU cycles without reason.
Solution: Shutting them down completely frees up resources.
- Windows: Open Task Manager > Processes tab. Select and disable unnecessary background processes.
- Mac: Open Activity Monitor in Applications > Utilities. Locate unnecessary processes and select Quit Process to end them.
8. Adjust Visual Effects
Problem: High CPU usage and laptop fans spinning when moving windows around the screen or other graphics processing units (GPU) effects.
Reason: Fancy animations like live taskbar thumbnails, translucent windows, and slide-in menus look nice but require dedicated GPU processing cycles to render correctly. The effects can significantly impact the performance of an integrated GPU, resulting in a reduced lifespan for the component.
Solution: Disabling them removes a lot of load off the GPU, increasing available cycles for actual tasks.
- Windows: Right-click desktop, choose Personalize > Advanced appearance settings link. On the Performance tab, select Adjust for best performance radio button > Apply.
- Mac: Reduce motion and transparency: Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Accessibility. Select Display from the sidebar. Check the box for Reduce motion and Reduce transparency.
9. Clean Out Computer Ventilation
Problem: The computer spontaneously overheats and shuts down during intensive tasks; loud, whirring fans that run constantly.
Reason: Clogged heat sinks and fan vents prevent warm air from escaping the computer case efficiently, leading components to heat up dramatically. The CPU/GPU will forcibly throttle performance to avoid permanent heat damage.
Solution: Simply using compressed air to clean out accumulated dust buildup will lower temperatures and eliminate thermal throttling.
- Windows and Mac: Power down the machine. Use a compressed air canister and hold fans in place as you spray out vents and intakes to clear dust.
10. Refresh Operating System (OS) Installation
Problem: General unstable computer performance that gets worse over time; odd errors and glitches when updating or installing new software.
Reason: An operating system accumulates digital cruft in system files and directories over years of patching. While not visible, this accumulation of broken shortcuts, cache debris and redundant patches eventually bogs things down.
Solution: Refreshing the OS outright replaces these low-level components with 100% new clean versions in one step. Refresh OS (Windows) or Clean Reinstall (Mac)
- Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started under Reset this PC section. Choose to Keep my files.
- Mac: Fully wipe the hard drive after backing up files to erase OS. Then, boot from the recovery partition or USB installer to cleanly install the latest MacOS version.
Bottom Line
Speeding up your computer can significantly improve your overall experience and productivity. With a faster computer web browsing speeds up, apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, workflows go uninterrupted and gaming performance improves.
Eliminating those minor but constant delays can significantly boost your productivity and happiness. Tasks that once irritated you suddenly become pleasant. A fast computer gets out of your way and lets you focus on what matters — doing great work and having fun without technological barriers. Accelerating your sluggish PC or Mac pays dividends across everything you do.
