There is nothing more frustrating than your laptop running slow and affecting your work. There are simple techniques you can follow to improve laptop speed and performance.
Perform Disk Defragmentation
Disk Defragmentation is a critical task. It reorganizes fragmented files to increase the file access speed. Thus programs easily retrieve information from files and it improves overall performance. Set-up a defrag schedule to automatically perform defragmentation task on a predefined schedule.
For Windows 8:
1. Press Windows Key, type "Defragment and Optimize your Drives" in the Search Box.
2. Click the Settings icon.
3. Open it from the Search Results.
4. Select all disk drives, click "Optimize" button.
5. Click "Change Settings" button, schedule the defrag process.
For Earlier Versions of Windows:
1. Click Start, point to All Programs | Accessories System Tools.
2. Click Disk Defragmenter.
3. Select all disk drives, click "Defragment Disks" button.
4. Set an automatic schedule as well.
Clean Junk & Temporary Data
Junk & temporary data consumes a huge disk space. Free-up the space to speed up your laptop.
For Windows 8 & Early Versions:
1. Right click My Computer desktop icon.
2. Select Properties option from the context menu.
3. Click General tab and then "Disk CleanUp" button.
Uninstall Programs that you Do not Use
Keeping a number of programs installed not only wastes the disk space but also slows down your laptop. Uninstall rarely used programs as shown below:
For Windows 8:
1. Press the Windows Key.
2. Type "Control Panel" in the Search Box.
3. Click the Apps icon.
4. Open it from the Search Results.
5. Click Programs | Uninstall a Program.
6. Select a rarely used program, click Uninstall button.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.
For Earlier Versions of Windows:
1. Click Start | Control Panel.
2. Click Programs | Uninstall a Program.
3. Choose a program, click Uninstall button.
4. Follow the setup wizard.
Defrag the Registry
Registry defragmentation is a critical task. It involves analyzing registry fragmentation and defragmenting all fragmented entries. Follow the guidelines given below:
1. Download a Registry Defragmenter.
2. Install and run the program.
3. Click Registry Defragmenter tab and then Defragment button.
4. It may take a few minutes to analyze and optimize the registry.
Optimize Startup
Startup optimization requires disabling all unnecessary startup programs and services. Use System Configuration utility as below:
For Windows 8 and Earlier Versions:
1. Press the Windows Key.
2. Type "MSCONFIG" and click the Apps icon.
3. Open it from the Search Results.
4. Click General tab.
5. Choose "Selective startup" option.
6. Uncheck the box labeled "Load startup items".
7. Click Apply | OK.
8. Reboot your machine.
The best way to speed up your laptop is to use a System Optimizer software. Download a System Optimizer and perform maintenance tasks to make your laptop run faster.