Ten Actions to increase your computer’s performance
Ten Actions to increase your computer’s performance
Note: This is the Windows Key
Note: The symbol on the Windows Key is referred to as the Windows Logo W
Note: Depending on the version of Windows running on your computer, the appearance of this key and logo may vary slightly.
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Note: You may need to launch Admin by Request.
Action 1
Update Windows
Procedure: The following instructions guide you on updating your Windows operating system, ensuring you have the latest security patches and performance enhancements.
Intended User: These instructions are designed for non-technical users with basic computer skills using a Windows-based device.
Purpose: Keeping your Windows operating system up-to-date is crucial for maintaining a secure and optimized computing environment. Regular updates provide critical bug fixes, feature improvements, and security updates, safeguarding your system from potential threats and ensuring it performs at its best.
Instructions:
Step 1
-
Click on the Start menu (The Windows Logo W in your lower-left screen on Windows 10).
-
Click on Settings (which looks like a gear).
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
- Scroll down
- Click Update & Security
Step 3
- Click on Windows Update in the left menu.
- Click on the Check for updates button and install any available updates.
Note: Do this even if it says, “You’re up to date”
Note: Your screen will automatically advance as follows:
Note: Even though this computer was up to date, there was a security update to be made (below).
Note: If there are no updates to be made after you click Check for updates, you will see this message:
Action 2
Update Device Drivers
Procedure: The instructions explain how to update device drivers on your Windows 10 PC, ensuring that your hardware components are equipped with the latest drivers.
Intended User: These instructions are intended for non-technical users with basic computer skills who want to ensure their hardware operates optimally.
Purpose: Keeping your device drivers current is essential for maintaining hardware compatibility and performance. Updated drivers provide better stability and increased functionality and may resolve issues related to hardware malfunctions or system crashes.
Instructions:
Step 1
Right-click on the Start menu in the lower-left corner of your Windows 10 PC.
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
Click on Device Manager.
Step 3
- Locate the device category you want to update (in this example, Display adapters for graphics driver).
- Right-click on the device (in this example, Intel® UHD Graphics 630)
- Click Update driver
Step 4
Select Search automatically for drivers
Note: If the drivers are current, you’ll receive a message like this:
Note: If drivers are not current, follow the on-screen instructions to search for and install the latest driver software.
Step 5
Close out of the Task Manager by clicking the X in the top right corner of the Device Manager Window
Action 3
Manage Startup Programs
Procedure: In the following steps, you will learn how to manage startup programs on your Windows 10 PC, allowing you to control which applications launch automatically when your computer boots up.
Intended User: These instructions are targeted at non-technical users with basic computer skills who want to improve their computer's startup time and overall performance.
Purpose: Managing startup programs is crucial for optimizing your computer's boot time and reducing system resource usage. By disabling unnecessary applications from launching at startup, you can speed up your computer's boot process and improve its responsiveness during daily use.
Instructions:
Step 1
-
Right-click on the Start menu in the lower-left corner of your Windows 10 PC.
- Select Task Manager.
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
Click on the Startup tab.
Step 3
Disable unnecessary programs by selecting them
- Right-click on the program you want to disable from launching at startup
- Click Disable
Step 4
Verify the program changed from Enabled to Disabled
Step 5
Close out of the Task Manager by clicking the X in the top right corner of the box
Action 4
Clean Up Disk Space
Procedure: The steps provided will guide you through cleaning up disk space on your Windows PC, helping you reclaim valuable storage and improve system performance.
Intended User: These instructions are intended for non-technical users with basic computer skills who wish to free up disk space and enhance their computer's performance.
Purpose: Over time, your computer accumulates temporary files and unnecessary data, consuming valuable disk space and slowing down your system. Cleaning up disk space frees storage and helps your computer run faster and more efficiently.
Instructions:
Step 1
Open File Explorer by holding the Windows KeyW + E.
Step 2
- Right-click on the C: drive (or the drive where Windows is installed)
- Select Properties.
Step 3
Click on the Disk Cleanup button
Step 4
Select the files you want to delete.
Note: Scroll down to view more options.
Note: Consider selecting Recycle Bin as part of your Disk Cleanup. Remember not to use this as a storage space.
Step 5
Click Clean up system files
Note: You’ll see a loading screen briefly that looks like this:
Step 6
Click OK
Step 7
Click Delete Files to confirm.
Note: You’ll see a loading screen briefly that looks like this
Action 5
Uninstall Unnecessary Software
Procedure: This set of instructions will assist you in uninstalling unnecessary software from your Windows PC, allowing you to declutter your system and improve its overall performance.
Intended User: Non-technical users with basic computer skills who want to remove unwanted applications from their system will find these instructions useful.
Purpose: Uninstalling unnecessary software is vital for freeing up disk space, reducing system clutter, and streamlining your computer's performance. You can create a more efficient computing environment by removing applications you no longer need.
Instructions:
Step 1
-
Right-click on the Windows logo W in the lower-left corner of your Windows 10 pc.
- Select Settings
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
Select Apps
Step 3
- Select the application you want to uninstall
- Click Uninstall
Step 4
Confirm that you want to uninstall the program by clicking Uninstall
Step 5
Click close after the program finishes uninstalling.
Step 6
Close out of Settings by clicking the X in the top right corner of the window
Action 6
Defragment Your Hard Drive (Traditional HDDs)
Procedure: The following steps will guide you through defragmenting your hard drive on Windows, specifically applicable to traditional HDDs.
Intended User: These instructions are aimed at non-technical users with basic computer skills who use traditional HDDs and want to optimize their hard drive's performance.
Purpose: Defragmenting a traditional HDD helps to organize data more efficiently, resulting in faster data access and improved system performance. Regularly defragmenting your hard drive can extend its lifespan and ensure smoother operations.
Instructions:
Step 1
- Select the magnifying glass (Search) icon in the bottom left corner of your taskbar
- Type Defragment and Optimize Drives
- Click the Defragment and Optimize Drives App
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
- Select the drive you want to optimize (typically C:)
- Click Optimize and wait for the process to complete
Step 3
Click close
Action 7
Adjust Power Settings
Procedure: In the following instructions, you will learn how to adjust power settings on your Windows 10 machine, allowing you to optimize energy consumption and enhance your computer's performance.
Intended User: Non-technical users with basic computer skills who wish to fine-tune their power settings for improved performance will benefit from these instructions.
Purpose: Properly adjusting power settings can significantly impact your computer's battery life and overall performance. Choosing the appropriate power plan can strike the right balance between performance and energy conservation.
Instructions:
Step 1
- Right-click on the Windows logo in the lower right corner of your Windows 10 Machine.
- Click Settings
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
Select System
Step 3
Click on Power & sleep in the left menu.
Step 4
Choose the desired power plan from the dropdown menu.
Note: The lower these numbers, the better-preserved energy and battery life are.
Action 8
Scan for Disk Errors
Procedure: The instructions provided here will guide you through scanning for disk errors on your Windows 10 PC, helping you detect and resolve potential issues with your storage drives.
Intended User: These instructions are aimed at non-technical users with basic computer skills who want to ensure the health and reliability of their storage drives.
Purpose: Regularly scanning for disk errors is crucial for identifying and rectifying potential storage drive problems. Proactively addressing disk errors can prevent data loss, improve system stability, and ensure smooth operation.
Instructions:
Step 1
- Click the magnifying glass located on your Windows 10 search bar
- Type Command Prompt
- Hover over Command Prompt
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
- Right-click Command Prompt
- Select Run as administrator
Step 3
In the Command Prompt window
- Type chkdsk /f
- Press Enter
Step 3
Confirm the action
- Type Y
- Press Enter.
Step 4
Restart your computer
- Right-click the Start menu
- Hover over Shut down or sign out
- Select Restart
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Action 9
Disable the indexing feature
Procedure: The following instructions will guide you through an important setting on your Windows computer: "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties." This setting controls whether indexing includes the content of files and their properties, affecting how quickly you can search for files and data on your computer.
Intended User: These instructions are intended for users of Windows-based computers who want to understand the implications of the "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties" setting and learn how to deactivate or activate it based on their preferences and system needs.
Purpose: Understanding and configuring the indexing setting is essential for optimizing your computer's search functionality and overall system performance. Knowing how to control indexing allows you to balance faster search results and conserve system resources, tailoring the setting to your specific requirements.
Step 1
Open File Explorer by holding the Windows Key W + E.
Step 2
- Right-click on the C: drive (or the drive where Windows is installed)
- Select Properties.
Step 3
Uncheck the boxes “Compress this drive to save disk space” and “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties”
Step 4
Click OK
Step 5
- Select Apply changes to the drive C:\, subfolders and folders
- Click OK
Action 10
Check for Malware and Viruses
Procedure: In the following steps, you will learn how to check for malware and viruses using the Malicious Software Removal Tool, a built-in utility in Windows.
Intended User: These instructions are intended for non-technical users with basic computer skills who suspect a malware infection and want to ensure their system's security.
Purpose: Running a malware scan is essential for safeguarding your computer from potential threats that could compromise your data and system integrity. The Malicious Software Removal Tool helps detect and remove specific types of malware, enhancing your computer's security and overall performance.
Instructions:
Step 1
- Click the magnifying glass located on your Windows 10 search bar
- Type Command Prompt
- Hover over Command Prompt
Note: These instructions feature screenshots from and instructions tailored to the Windows 10 Operating System. There may be slight variations on different versions of Windows.
For example, Windows 11 may look like this:
Step 2
- Type mrt
- Press enter
Step 3
Click Yes
Step 4
Click Next
Step 5
- Choose which type of scan. In our example, we’ll select Full Scan
- Click Next
Note: A full scan will be the most comprehensive and is therefore recommended.
Note: You will receive a window that looks like this while the scan is occurring:
Step 6
Click Finish if no malicious software was detected.
Note: Follow the prompts to remove malicious software if it was detected.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have taken significant steps to increase your computer's performance by following these instructions. You successfully updated your Windows operating system, ran system/command updates, updated device drivers, managed startup programs, cleaned up disk space, uninstalled unnecessary software, defragmented your hard drive, adjusted power settings, disabled indexing, scanned for disk errors, and checked for malware and viruses.
You have optimized your computer's performance and efficiency by performing these actions. Regularly maintaining your computer using these instructions will ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to have a seamless computing experience.
Remember, the key to maintaining your computer's performance is to keep up with updates, optimize settings, and remove unnecessary programs regularly. Following these guidelines allows you to enjoy faster boot times, quicker application launches, and smoother multitasking.
If you encounter any issues or have questions, don't hesitate to seek assistance or revisit these instructions. As technology evolves, it's essential to stay informed about the latest updates and best practices to keep your computer running at its best.
Thank you for taking the time to follow these instructions and investing in your computer's performance. Enjoy your enhanced computing experience!