How to clean up your computer to make Windows 10 run faster?

How to Clean Your Computer to Make it Run Faster in Windows 10: A Detailed Guide

Your computer with Windows 10 running slow? You are not alone in this. Over time, computers can become cluttered with unwanted files, programs, and other stuff that can slow them down. Fortunately, there are many ways to tidy up your system and make it run better. In this blog, we will share several methods to help speed up your PC and improve its performance. 

Understanding why your PC is slowing down

Before we start cleaning, let's look at some common reasons why computers slow down over time:

1. Accumulation of junk files: Temporary files, caches, system logs, and browser history can build up and take up valuable storage space.

2. Too many programs at startup: Some programs start automatically when you turn on your computer, causing it to take longer to start.

3. Fragmented files: Although modern hard drives handle fragmentation better, they can still slow down older models.

4. Malware and unwanted software: Unnecessary third-party programs and viruses can reduce your computer's performance.

5. Outdated drivers and software: Old drivers or applications can cause problems that slow down your system.

Now that we understand why your computer may be slow, let's talk about how to clean it up.

Step 1: Use Disk Cleanup

Windows 10 has a useful tool called Disk Cleanup that helps you remove unnecessary files from your computer, such as temporary files and items in the Recycle Bin.

How to use disk cleanup:

– Open the Start menu and type “Disk Cleanup.”

– Open the application and select the drive you want to clean (usually the C: drive).

– The tool will scan the drive and show you a list of files that you can delete. Choose the ones you want to remove.

– Click OK and then confirm by clicking Delete Files.

For a deeper clean, you can also choose to delete system files, which may include old Windows Update files.

Step 2: Remove unnecessary programs

You may have programs on your computer that you no longer use. These can take up disk space and even slow down your system.

How to remove programs:

– Go to Settings by pressing Windows key + I.

– Click on Applications.

– Review the list of installed apps in Apps & features.

– Click on any app you don’t use and press Uninstall.

Make sure you do not remove programs that are vital to the operation of your system, such as antivirus software.

Step 3: Disable startup programs

Some programs start automatically when you start your computer, and many of them are not necessary. These can slow down the startup process.

How to disable them:

– Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

– Go to the Home tab.

– Check the list and right-click on any program you don’t need at startup, then choose Disable.

– Restart your computer to see the changes.

Just be careful not to disable important programs like antivirus software.

Step 4 – Defrag your hard drive (HDD only)

If you have a traditional hard drive (HDD), file fragmentation could be slowing down your computer. As files become scattered, it takes longer for your system to access them.

How to defragment:

– Open the Start menu, type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” and press Enter.

– Choose the drive you want to defragment (usually C:).

– Click Optimize.

Note: If you have a solid state drive (SSD), you do not need to defragment it as SSDs do not have the same fragmentation issues.

Step 5: Scan for malware and viruses

Malware can really affect your computer's performance. Running a full antivirus scan periodically can help keep everything running smoothly.

How to run Windows Defender:

– Open the Start menu and type “Windows Security.”

– Go to the Virus & threat protection section.

– Choose Quick Scan or Full Scan to perform a thorough scan.

If any threats appear, follow the instructions to remove them. Third-party antivirus tools can also provide additional security.

Step 6: Keep Windows and drivers up to date

It is essential to maintain Windows 10 and all device drivers updated to ensure your computer continues to run smoothly. Outdated software and drivers can cause problems.

How to update Windows:

– Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.

– Click Update & Security.

– Press Check for updates and install any available updates.

How to update drivers:

– Press Windows key + X and open Device Manager.

– Right-click on the device you want to update (such as your graphics card).

– Select Update Driver and follow the prompts.

You can also use automatic tools like Driver Booster to make updates easier.

Step 7: Disable visual effects

Windows 10 has many visual effects that can slow down older or less powerful computers. Disabling them can free up some resources.

How to adjust visual effects:

– Press Windows key + R to open Run.

– Type “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.

– In the System Properties window, go to the Advanced tab.

– Click Settings under Performance.

– Choose Adjust for best performance or manually disable specific effects.

Step 8: Free up disk space

If your hard drive is almost full, it can really slow down your computer. Beyond using Disk Cleanup, look for large files you no longer need or move them to an external drive.

How to find large files:

– Open File Explorer.

– Go to This PC.

– Right-click on your C: drive and select Properties.

– Click Disk Cleanup and let it analyze what’s there.

– Find large files and delete the ones you don’t need.

You can also use tools like WinDirStat to see which files are taking up space.

Step 9: Restart your PC (if necessary)

If your computer is still slow after all these steps, a fresh start might help. Windows 10 allows you to reset your PC to its original settings while saving your files.

How to reset:

– Open Settings (Windows key + I).

– Go to Update & security > Recovery.

– Click Get started under Reset this PC.

– Choose whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything for a complete reset. 

If you follow these steps, you should see a noticeable improvement in your computer's performance.

Conclusion

Cleaning up your Windows 10 PC doesn't require expert knowledge, and if you follow the steps in this guide, you should notice a significant improvement in your system's performance. Regular maintenance, such as uninstalling unnecessary programs, disabling startup items, and running disk cleanup, will help keep your PC running at its best.

By following these steps, you'll reclaim valuable storage space, reduce system resource consumption, and potentially extend the life of your PC. And remember: regular updates, antivirus scans, and optimizations can go a long way toward keeping your computer fast and secure in the long run.

Happy cleaning!