15 Tips to Make Your Computer Run Faster

Over time, both PCs and Macs can slow down due to clutter, unused apps, and hidden malware. Regularly cleaning up your system can help improve performance and free up valuable space. This guide will show you some simple tips using popular tools that work on both PCs and Macs to get your computer running smoothly again.

Run CCleaner for a Basic Cleanup

CCleaner is a simple and effective tool to clean up your computer by removing temporary files, browser cache, and other unnecessary data. This can help free up space and improve performance.

• PC & Mac: Download and install CCleaner.
  • Open the program and click on the Cleaner tab.
  • Select the types of files you want to remove (like temporary files, browser history, and cookies).
  • Click Run Cleaner to delete the selected files.
  • On Windows, you can also use the Registry Cleaner to fix registry issues that may slow down your system. Just click on the Registry tab and follow the prompts.

This quick cleanup step will give your computer an immediate performance boost.

Scan for Malware Using Malwarebytes

Malware can slow down your computer and put your data at risk. Using Malwarebytes, you can easily scan for and remove malware, spyware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) from your system.

• PC & Mac: Download and install Malwarebytes.
  • Open the program and click on Scan.
  • Malwarebytes will check your computer for any harmful software.
  • Once the scan is complete, review the results and click Quarantine to remove any detected threats.

Regularly running Malwarebytes helps keep your computer safe and running smoothly by eliminating malicious software.

Uninstall Old or Unused Apps

Unused or old apps can take up space and slow down your system. It’s a good idea to remove them regularly.

• PC: Use BCUninstaller (Bulk Crap Uninstaller) to uninstall multiple apps at once and remove all leftover files.
  • Download and install BCUninstaller.
  • Open the program and select the apps you no longer need.
  • Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to completely remove the apps and their related files.
• Mac: Use FreeMacSoft AppCleaner to uninstall apps along with all hidden files.
  • Download AppCleaner.
  • Drag the app you want to remove into AppCleaner, and it will find all the related files.
  • Click Remove to uninstall the app and free up space.

Removing unused programs helps to declutter your system and improve performance.

Disable Startup Apps to Speed Up Boot Time

Too many apps launching at startup can slow down your computer’s boot time. Disabling unnecessary startup apps will help your system start up faster.

• PC: Use Task Manager or SysInternals Autoruns to manage startup programs.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  • Go to the Startup tab, where you’ll see a list of programs that start automatically when your PC boots.
  • Right-click on any apps you don’t need and select Disable.
  • For more advanced control, download and use SysInternals Autoruns to manage all startup items in detail.
• Mac: Manage Login Items to control which apps start when you log in.
  • Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
  • Select your account and click on the Login Items tab.
  • Select any unnecessary apps and click the minus (-) button to remove them.

Disabling unneeded startup apps helps your computer boot faster and perform better right from the start.

Delete Old Files to Free Up Space

Over time, old files and large folders can take up valuable space on your hard drive. By using tools like SpaceSniffer on PC and Disk Inventory X on Mac, you can easily find and delete these files.

• PC: Use SpaceSniffer to visualize your files and folders.
  • Download and run SpaceSniffer (no installation needed).
  • It will scan your hard drive and show a visual map of all your files and folders based on size.
  • Look for large or unnecessary files, right-click on them, and delete the ones you no longer need.
• Mac: Use Disk Inventory X to find large files and free up space.
  • Download and open Disk Inventory X.
  • It will scan your drive and display a graphical map of your files, showing which ones take up the most space.
  • Select the large or old files you no longer need and move them to the trash to free up space.

By regularly deleting old or unnecessary files, you can keep your hard drive clean and improve your computer’s performance.

Keep Your System and Software Up to Date

Outdated software and operating systems can slow down your computer and leave it vulnerable to security risks. Keeping everything updated helps maintain performance and security.

• PC:
  • Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
  • Make sure all installed apps are updated via the Microsoft Store or by visiting the app’s website.
• Mac:
  • Go to System Settings > Software Update to check for macOS updates.
  • Update your apps via the App Store or by downloading updates from the developer’s website.

Empty the Trash/Recycle Bin

Even after deleting files, they continue to take up space until the Trash or Recycle Bin is emptied.

• PC:
  • Right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop and choose Empty Recycle Bin.
• Mac:
  • Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.

This will permanently remove deleted files and free up space on your hard drive.

Manage Browser Extensions and Cache

Too many browser extensions and accumulated cache can slow down your internet experience. Regularly reviewing and clearing these can boost performance.

• PC & Mac:
  • Extensions: Open your browser’s settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), go to the Extensions or Add-ons section, and disable or remove any unnecessary extensions.
  • Clear Cache: In your browser settings, locate the Clear Browsing Data option and choose to clear cached images and files, cookies, and other site data.

Managing extensions and clearing your cache regularly can make your browsing faster and smoother.

Check Disk for Errors

Hard drive errors can affect the performance and stability of your computer. It’s important to check and fix any errors periodically.

• PC: Use the built-in Check Disk tool to scan for disk errors.
  • Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive you want to check (usually C:).
  • Select Properties, then go to the Tools tab and click Check under Error-checking.
• Mac: Use Disk Utility to check and repair your disk.
  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
  • Select your drive and click First Aid to check for and repair errors.

Regularly checking your disk for errors ensures your storage drives are functioning properly.

Adjust Power Settings for Performance

Customizing power settings can help strike a balance between performance and energy savings.

• PC: Use Power Options to adjust settings.
  • Go to Control Panel > Power Options and choose the High Performance plan to boost performance (this may consume more power).
• Mac: Adjust energy preferences.
  • Go to System Settings > Battery, then adjust settings like Energy Saver and Power Nap to balance performance and battery life.

Reduce Visual Effects for Better Performance

Fancy visual effects can slow down your computer. Reducing them can improve performance, especially on older systems.

• PC: Adjust visual effects.
  • Right-click This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings.
  • In the Performance section, click Settings and choose Adjust for best performance or customize which effects to disable.
• Mac: Disable unnecessary animations.
  • Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and enable Reduce Motion to reduce system animations.

Monitor System Health with Built-in Tools

Regularly monitoring your system’s health can help detect issues before they cause major problems.

• PC: Use Windows Security for system health checks.
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and run a quick scan for any potential problems.
• Mac: Use Activity Monitor to monitor system performance.
  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor and keep an eye on system resources such as CPU, memory, and disk usage.

Add More RAM to Improve Performance

If your computer slows down when running multiple programs or handling heavy tasks, adding more RAM (Random Access Memory) can significantly improve its performance.

• PC & Mac:
  • More RAM allows your system to handle more applications at once and reduces lag when multitasking.
  • Check your system’s current RAM by going to Task Manager (PC) or Activity Monitor (Mac) and see how much RAM is being used under heavy load.
  • Determine your system’s RAM limit by checking the manufacturer’s specifications. Most modern PCs and some older Macs allow RAM upgrades, while newer Macs may have fixed memory.

Recommendations:

• PC: Most users can benefit from at least 8GB of RAM for everyday tasks. If you regularly work with graphic design, video editing, or gaming, consider upgrading to 16GB or more.
• Mac: Check your Mac model. Many older models allow RAM upgrades. If you use memory-intensive apps like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro, upgrading to 16GB or 32GB can make a big difference.
• Brands to Consider: Popular and reliable RAM brands include Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, and G.SKILL. Make sure to get RAM that’s compatible with your system’s motherboard and form factor (DDR4, DDR3, etc.).

Upgrading your RAM is a relatively simple and cost-effective way to boost your computer’s speed and efficiency, especially if you multitask or run heavy software.

Swap Your Hard Drive with an SSD for Faster Speeds

Replacing your old hard drive (HDD) with a Solid-State Drive (SSD) is one of the most effective ways to improve your computer’s speed. SSDs are much faster at loading your operating system, opening files, and running programs.

• PC & Mac:
  • SSDs have no moving parts, making them more durable and energy-efficient than HDDs.
  • You can either clone your existing hard drive to the SSD to keep your files and settings, or you can do a fresh installation of the operating system after installing the SSD.
  • Installing an SSD often makes your computer feel much faster, even if it’s several years old.

How to Check How Much Storage You Need:

• To figure out how much space you need, first check how much storage you are currently using.
  • PC: Open File Explorer, right-click on your main drive (usually C:), and select Properties. You’ll see how much space is used and how much is free.
  • Mac: Click the Apple logo, select About This Mac, then go to the Storage tab. It will show your current disk usage.
• Based on how much space you are using now, you can decide the size of SSD you need. For example, if you’re using around 300GB, you might want at least a 500GB SSD to leave room for future files.

Recommendations:

• Storage Size:
  • For most users, a 500GB or 1TB SSD is enough to balance speed and storage space. If you work with large files like videos, games, or design software, consider getting a 1TB or 2TB SSD.
• Brands to Consider:
  • Reliable SSD brands include Samsung (990 EVO, 980 PRO, 870 EVO), Crucial (P5 Plus, P3, MX500), Western Digital (SN850X, WD Black SN770, WD Blue SN570), and Kingston (KC3000, KC2500, A2000).
• Types of SSD:
  • SATA SSD: If you have an older PC or Mac that supports SATA, choose a SATA SSD like the Samsung 870 EVO or Crucial MX500. This will still offer a big speed improvement over an HDD.
  • NVMe SSD: If your system supports NVMe (common in newer computers), opt for an NVMe SSD, which offers much faster speeds. Options like the Samsung 990 PRO or Western Digital SN850X are great choices.

How to Upgrade:

• Cloning Your Drive: You can use software like Macrium Reflect for PC or Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac to copy your entire hard drive to the new SSD, keeping all your files and settings. If you purchase a Samsung drive then you can use their free Samsung Magician Software.
• Fresh Installation: If you prefer starting fresh, back up your important files, install the SSD, and then reinstall the operating system from a USB drive.

Upgrading to an SSD will significantly speed up your computer, making it faster to start up, load applications, and handle everyday tasks. It’s a great investment, especially if your computer feels slow or outdated.

Regularly Restart Your Computer

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Restarting your computer clears temporary files, refreshes memory, and can resolve small performance issues.

• PC & Mac: Make it a habit to restart your computer regularly, especially if you notice slowdowns.

Let us know in the comments what tips you find useful when speeding up your computer.