Your Daily Roadmap: How to Speed Up Your Windows 10/11

Every computer, no matter how powerful, will become slow at some point. Your system can lag when switching between windows, become slow to start, or struggle to keep up with simple tasks. The key is knowing how to bring your PC back to life. 

In this guide, I’ll show you how to speed up Windows 10 and 11 using tried-and-true methods I’ve used to boost my computer. 

If you’re ready to improve your PC performance, let’s begin!

How to Speed Up Your Windows 10/11: First Tips to Apply

Tip 1: Use a PC cleaner and optimizer

Using a third-party app, such as a PC cleaner, is one of the quickest ways to improve your PC’s performance. These apps typically offer all the necessary functions in one package and can usually speed up your PC almost automatically. You can choose from several options, including CCleaner, IObit Advanced SystemCare, or Auslogics BoostSpeed.

In this article, we will show you how to speed up your Windows system using Auslogics BoostSpeed, one of the popular choices among users and trusted by many.

Here are some features of BoostSpeed that can help boost the performance of your Windows:

• Cleans up junk files: BoostSpeed specializes in removing temporary files, cache, and logs to free up disk space.
• Drive optimization: You can optimize your hard drive, including solid-state drives, using BoostSpeed’s unique algorithm. 
• Cleans your registry: BoostSpeed cleans out invalid or corrupt registry entries to prevent system glitches and improve stability. 
• File defragmentation: The program reassembles fragmented files on your drive to help you access your data faster. 
• Startup Manager: It identifies and disables unnecessary startup apps, which can speed up boot times. 
• Duplicate File Finder: This tool scans your PC for duplicate files and removes them to save disk space. 

Let’s take one of its features, Deep Disk Cleaner, and see how it deletes unnecessary files from your system, freeing up essential disk space for your Windows to perform more smoothly.

• First, download Auslogics BoostSpeed from the official website and install it. 
• After launching the program, click on Tools, hover your mouse on Disk Tools, and select Deep Disk Cleaner. 

• If it’s your first time, you’ll see a yellow banner labeled Attention Required. You can click on Scan Now to start analyzing your system. 

• After the scan, click on Clean up to delete the junk files. 

• After the scan, you can click View report to check everything BoostSpeed detected and eliminated. 

Before we move forward, have a quick look at this table to compare the main advantages of using third-party apps like BoostSpeed and built-in Windows methods:

Tip 2: Clean up your disk space

If you decided to skip using third-party apps for speeding up your PC and have chosen the way through thorns to the stars, let’s move to step-by-step solutions using built-in Windows methods.

First step: cleaning your disk space by hand.

So obviously, over time, your computer accumulates different types of files and data that take up necessary space on your hard drive, such as temporary files, system cache, temporary internet files, Windows update files, and more. 

But there is a way to remove these files. Follow the steps below: 

• Type “disk cleanup” in the search bar and click on it to open.

• Select the drive you want to clean up and click OK.
• Once the tool appears, you’ll see a list of temporary and cache files. Check the box beside the ones you want to clear and click on the OK button.

Tip 3: Keep Windows up to date

One of the most effective ways to speed up your Windows system is to ensure that it has the latest updates. 

Updates from Microsoft include important security patches and performance improvements that can fix any issues slowing your PC down. 

Here’s how to update Windows: 

• Go to your Settings window by pressing Windows + I.
• Scroll down and click on Windows Update. 

• Click on Check for updates, wait a bit to see if there are any, and if so, click Download & install to start the process.

Tip 4: Close background applications

Some apps run in the background and weigh your processor down. With a simple settings tweak, you can speed up your computer by disabling these apps and choosing which ones will run in the background.

Follow the below steps: 

Windows 10

• Launch Settings, click on Privacy, and select Background apps. 
• Next, go to the Background apps page and turn on the Let apps run in the background option. 
• After that, go to Choose which apps can run in the background and turn individual apps on or off.
• You can quickly turn most applications off by toggling off the Let apps run in the background option.

Windows 11 

• Go to your Settings window by pressing Windows + I. 
• Click on Apps and select Installed apps.

• Select the apps you don’t want running in the background, click on the three horizontal dots, and select Advanced options. 

• Go down to the Background apps permissions and select Never from the drop-down menu.

Tip 5: Use fewer browser tabs, if possible

Another way to speed up your Windows computer is to open fewer tabs on browsers, especially if you’re not using a high-end computer.

Your PC loads these programs and every new web page to your RAM. So, once your system’s memory begins to fill up due to many open tabs, you’ll start experiencing lags. 

Keeping a few tabs open should reduce the strain on the RAM and boost your Windows speed. Either way, you can clear your RAM if it’s full. 

Also read: Hard Refresh Your Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari

Tip 6: Disable startup apps

Some applications are designed to start running immediately after Windows boots to the desktop. When too many applications launch simultaneously during startup, it will likely take a toll on your computer.

Let’s see how to disable startup programs using the Task Manager:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
• Then, click on Startup apps.
• After that, go through the programs, click on the app you want to deactivate, and select Disable.

Related read: How to Speed Up Windows 10 Startup and Make Your PC Boot Faster?

Tip 7: Update your device drivers

Drivers and third-party applications also receive regular updates that you should install. When software drivers, like graphics cards, remain out of date for too long, you’ll begin to notice performance drops.

Here’s how to update your drivers and apps: 

• Type “device manager” in the search bar and click on it to open. 

• Expand the category of the device you want to update. 
• Right-click on the device and select Update driver. 

• Then, click on the Search automatically for drivers option in the window that appears. 

Allow the Device Manager to search for and install new drivers. After the update, restart your computer to implement the changes.

Tip 8: Uninstall unnecessary apps

If we are honest with ourselves, there are some programs on our computers right now we barely use. These could be apps you installed yourself or that came with the PC.

Regardless, these programs take up space and can reduce your Windows speed. Here’s how to remove those apps: 

• Go to your search box and type “Installed apps.” Then click on the result that pops up.  

• Next, search for the applications you don’t use, right-click on them, and select Uninstall. 

Tip 9: Disable Windows tips, tricks, and suggestions

Windows has a nifty feature known as tips, tricks, and suggestions that tracks how you use the computer. The OS then provides suggestions based on the information it’s gathered.

In reality, you’ll barely notice that the feature is there. When it shows up, it hardly provides useful info or shows you something you don’t already know.

So, in the end, you’re likely better off without it. Plus, it’s contributing to the slowdown of your PC. Follow the below steps to disable the feature:

Windows 10

• Launch the Settings app and click on System. 
• Next, click on Notifications & actions. 
• Now, uncheck the box beside Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows under Notifications.

• Finally, restart your PC and check its performance.

Windows 11 

• Open the Settings window and click on System. 
• Afterwards, click on Notifications.

• Scroll down to the Additional settings section and click on it to expand. 
• Finally, uncheck the box next to Get tips and suggestions when using Windows. 

How to Speed Up Your Windows 11/10: Advanced Methods

Don’t let the word “advanced” scare you. The solutions in this section focus on the system changes that can speed up your Windows 10 or 11. But it’s nothing you can’t handle because we’ve made it super easy:

Tip 1: Adjust your power settings

Windows manages your system’s performance to conserve battery power. While this is typical in laptops, desktop computers also have power plans intended to prevent overheating. 

The Power saver plan reduces performance to prolong battery life. You’ll experience periodic lags and slowdowns if you’re on this plan. 

Changing the plan to Balanced or High performance should speed up your PC.

Here’s how to adjust the power plan:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, then type “control panel” into the text box and press Enter.

• After the Control Panel window appears, go to Hardware and Sound.

• Then, select Power Options.

• Next, you’ll see the Balanced and Power saver plans under Choose or customize a power plan. 

• If you want to go for the High performance plan, expand the Show additional plans section.

• Now, select the plan you want and exit.

Also read: How to Restore Missing Power Plans Options on Windows

Tip 2: Prevent OneDrive from syncing automatically

If you have a lot of files, especially large ones, the constant syncing can consume lots of system resources like RAM, CPU, and network bandwidth.

Furthermore, OneDrive can run in the background and compete with other resources. All these can cause your Windows to slow down.

You can temporarily disable automatic syncing to reduce the pressure it exerts on the system. Here’s what you should do:

Windows 10

• Go to the notification area on your taskbar and click on OneDrive.
• Click on More, and select Settings. 
• Select Settings in the pop-up window and uncheck Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows. 

• After that, go to the Account tab and select Unlink this PC and click Unlink account.

When you unlink your account, a pop-up window will appear to enter your email address. Enter the necessary information to complete the process. 

Windows 11 

• Click on the OneDrive icon once on the system tray.

• Then, click on the gear icon and select Settings.

• Click on Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows to uncheck it. 

Tip 3: Enable OneDrive’s Files On-Demand feature

Let’s face it, OneDrive is pretty useful despite its resource-guzzling nature. The good thing is that you can reduce the toll it takes on your PC without giving it up entirely.

For example, the Files On-Demand feature allows you to save specific files locally and store others on OneDrive.

This way, you can reduce the syncing process to the barest minimum and upload important files you want to back up and share across devices. 

Follow these steps:

• Go to the notification area on your taskbar and right-click on OneDrive.
• Click on Settings in the menu.

• Click on Sync and backup and select Advanced settings. Then, click on Free up disk space under Files On-Demand. 

• You’ll get a prompt after clicking on Free up disk space. Read the information there and select Continue. 

• If you want to save a folder on your computer but not on OneDrive, right-click it and select the Always keep on this device option. The file or folder will show a green checkmark to indicate it’s always available locally.

Tip 4: Disable game mode

The game mode was developed to allocate system resources to games. Essentially, your computer automatically detects that you are running a game and shuts every other application in the background, giving the game more priority.

As great as this feature sounds for gamers, it doesn’t always work. You can experience FPS issues and game stutters instead of improving things. 

Here’s how to disable the feature: 

• Launch the Settings program using the Windows + I shortcut.
• Click on Gaming once you see the first page of Settings.

• Select Game Mode in the left pane of the Gaming interface.
• Go to the Game Mode page and toggle off the switch under Game Mode.

Also read: How to Optimize Your PC for High-Performance Gaming

Tip 5: Enable automated Windows maintenance

Windows carries out routine maintenance on your computer every day in the background.
This process can keep your PC running optimally for as long as possible.

Some users turn off this feature without knowing it. Also, if you haven’t plugged in your computer during the automatic maintenance, there’s a chance that the process hasn’t been run in a while.

Let’s find out how to enable this feature:

• Launch Control Panel. 
• After the program opens, click on the System and Security link. Make sure the View by option is set to Category.

• Next, click on Security and Maintenance.

• Expand the Maintenance section under Review recent messages and resolve problems.
• Click on Change maintenance settings.

• Now, under Automatic Maintenance, choose when you’d like Windows to run the daily checks.
• Mark the checkbox next to Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer at the scheduled time.
• Click on the OK button.

Tip 6: Defragment your hard drive

One of the ways to speed up your Windows is defragging your computer. You can use Windows’ Defragment and Optimize Drives option to defrag your system. 

However, using a third-party tool like Auslogics BoostSpeed goes beyond the basic defragmentation and offers more comprehensive drive optimization for your SSD or HDD. 

Here’s how you can use this tool to optimize your drive and speed up your system: 

• Launch BoostSpeed. 
• Click on All Tools and select Disk Defrag. 

Now, if you’re using a hard drive, just click on Defrag to start the process. However, if you’re using an SSD, click on SSD Support and make sure all the sections are enabled. You can start the scan after that.

You can click on Program settings for more detailed settings, like which files to optimize on your solid-state drive.

• Wait for the process to complete.

It’s crucial to keep your SSD optimized at all times. Luckily, BoostSpeed has a feature to make this possible. Inside the Disk Defrag window, you’ll see SSD Optimization. All you have to do is click on it and enable the feature.

Tip 7: Get rid of bloatware and malware

Most times, manufacturers ship computers with apps that virtually serve no purpose. They usually run in the background, collect diagnostic data, and consume a chunk of system resources.

You can use your Settings app to remove them. However, some apps are stubborn, so you may have to take other measures like using third-party tools like Win11Debloat or Windows10Debloater.

Tip 8: Adjust your Windows appearance

Windows has visual effects, like 3D animations and shadow effects, that make it pop. While these bells and whistles enhance the operating system’s aesthetic appeal, they can affect your PC’s performance.

You might want to consider the trade-off between better performance and aesthetics if your computer doesn’t have enough firepower to stay efficient while handling 3D effects.

Thankfully, Microsoft offers a way to cut down on the operating system’s visual appearance to reduce the burden on your CPU.

Follow this process:

• Search for “View advanced system settings” and click on the top result. 

• Click on Settings under Performance in the Advanced section.  

• Select the Adjust for best performance option and click the OK button.

• You can also choose the visual effects you want to disable and those you’d love to keep.

Restart your computer after making these changes and check if the problem has been resolved.

How to Speed Up Your PC: Tips for Pros

This section will appeal to users comfortable with more technical adjustments. However, if you’re not, don’t worry. We’ve made the steps easy to follow and provided everything you need to know:

Tip 1: Disable search indexing

The next tip to speed up your Windows computer involves turning off search indexing.

Even though search indexing makes things run smoothly, the process can reduce your PC speed. Search indexing is done in the background, and it’s almost a continuous process that consumes system resources.

So, turn off search indexing and check if your system’s performance improves. Follow these steps:

• Open Search and type “services.” Then, click on it to open.

• Scroll down to the Windows Search service and double-click it. Or right-click and select Properties. 

• Next, click on the Stop button in the Properties dialog window and select Disabled in the Startup type drop-down menu.

Now, click on the OK button, restart your PC, and check if performance has improved.

Tip 2: Optimize your virtual memory

Your computer uses RAM to temporarily store files and programs that the CPU needs to work on. However, when it gets full, Windows uses part of your hard drive or solid-state drive as extra memory. This is called virtual memory or a page file.

Normally, Windows manages the page file automatically by adjusting it according to its needs. However, you can also manage the virtual memory yourself. Here’s how to do it: 

• Type “View advanced system settings” in the search bar and click on it to open. 

• Click on Settings under Performance once you see the System Properties dialog window.

• After the Performance Options window pops up, switch to the Advanced tab.
• Go to the Virtual memory section and click on the Change button.

• Now, make sure the box beside Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is checked.
• Click on the OK button.

Tip 3: Repair system files

You can speed up your Windows 11 and 10 by fixing issues with system files. 

Windows relies on specific system files to run optimally. While these files are highly protected, they can still be affected by malware and third-party applications. In addition, you could tamper with them by mistake, causing your operating system to malfunction. 

There are instances where system slowdowns and frustrating lags result from missing or corrupted system files.

The good thing is that you can replace these affected files using the System File Checker (SFC). Follow the methods below: 

• Go to the search bar and type “CMD,” then right-click Command Prompt in the results and select Run as administrator. Click on Yes in the pop-up.

• Type this DISM command and press Enter: 
  

  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

• After the DISM tool completes its process, which might take a while, type “sfc /scannow,” and tap the Enter keyboard button.

The SFC will now go through your computer, searching for corrupted and missing system files. It will scan your PC’s protected folders and replace the affected files.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:X:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess

Tip 4: Consider upgrading RAM

If you’re a heavy user or play resource-intensive PC games, having a RAM upgrade can improve PC performance. If your system is struggling to even open multiple apps or browser tabs, this could be a sign that you need more RAM. 

For most users, upgrading from 4GB to 8GB or 16GB is okay. However, for video editors, gamers, or if you’re running other resource-hungry software, you might benefit from going up to 32GB or higher. 

We have a detailed guide on this topic. You can check it here: When and How to Upgrade Your RAM on Windows 10/11

How to Speed Up Your Computer: Explained

If you’re ready to speed up your Windows 10 or 11, start by implementing these tips today and see how much smoother your system can run.

You don’t have to spend money on expensive upgrades or go through complicated processes. Just make a few adjustments and use reliable third-party tools I’ve covered in this article, and you’re good to go!

If this article has been helpful, let us know in the comments and don’t hesitate to share it or reach out with any questions.

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