Having a laptop computer gives you the power of a full computer system that is also portable. Your laptop can go virtually anywhere you go, but as useful as laptops are, they can become slower over time as you use them, just like desktop machines. You can keep your computer running at peak performance with some simple maintenance tasks.
Limit Startup Tasks and Programs
Firing up your laptop shouldn’t involve pushing the button and then waiting five minutes while your computer chugs to life. A laggy computer that doesn’t respond quickly is likely being slowed down by programs that start automatically and run in the background after you start your computer. These programs not only slow start-up time significantly, but they also drain CPU capacity dramatically.
On a Windows machine, open your Task Manager by clicking “Settings,” then “Apps,” and then “Startup.” Check the list of programs that start automatically, and disable any that you don’t want to start right away. If you’re not sure about which ones to disable, sort the list of startup programs by impact level. You can also find these settings on macOS under “System Preferences,” “Users & Groups,” and then “Login Items.”
Uninstall Unused Software
When you first buy a new laptop, it usually comes with many free apps that are preinstalled on the operating system. These apps take up disk space, and they often make a computer run more slowly. Removing unused apps can give you more room on your hard drive and may make your computer run faster. On a Windows laptop, open the Control Panel and choose “Uninstall a Program” under Programs to remove an app. Review the list of programs on your computer. To uninstall a program, right-click the program from the list, choose “Uninstall,” and then click “Yes” to proceed with the removal.
You may need to confirm that you really want to uninstall the app. Once you click “Yes” again, your computer will proceed with the removal. If you get a prompt to restart your computer, follow the instructions to finish the process. Removing unwanted programs is even simpler on macOS: Just open LaunchPad, click and hold on the icon of the unwanted program until it jiggles, then click the X. Confirm this action by clicking “Delete.”
Utilize Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility on Windows operating systems designed to analyze installed programs and files, and then recommend items that can be safely deleted to free up space. To use Disk Cleanup, type “Disk Cleanup” into the Search Bar and select the program from the dropdown menu. Launch the program and click “OK” to initiate the scan. Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of files and programs, along with the amount of disk space they occupy. Check the boxes next to the items you wish to delete, then click “Clean Up System Files.”
The program will perform another scan, and upon completion, a window will display the potential space savings. Select the items you want to remove and click “OK” to permanently delete them. MacOS users can use the Storage Management tool, accessible by clicking the Apple logo in the upper-left corner, selecting “About This Mac,” then “Storage,” and finally “Manage.”
Clear Your Internet Cache
Browsing the internet generates temporary files stored in a cache folder on your computer. Over time, this cache can grow large, slowing down your computer and consuming valuable disk space. Each browser has a cache that should be cleared regularly.
Clearing the cache is typically a quick process involving opening your browser’s settings and selecting options like “Clear Cache,” “Clear Data,” or “Clear History.” Follow your browser’s prompts to delete these items. You should notice improved performance in both your computer and browser after clearing the temporary files.
Maximize Storage with Hard Drives
If your laptop’s storage is getting full, consider using an external hard drive to store some of your files. These drives usually connect via USB, making them easy to install and use. After connecting a USB storage drive, optimize it for better performance.
On a Windows computer, open Disk Management, right-click the USB drive in the list of disks, select “Properties,” then “Policies,” and choose “Better Performance.” Enable “Write Caching on the Device” and save your changes by clicking “OK.”
Run a Spyware or Anti-Virus Program
Installing anti-virus and spyware software is crucial for protecting your computer from harmful software. Spyware and viruses are malicious programs that can infiltrate your system, steal data, and cause damage. Security software helps prevent these programs from infecting your computer by blocking and removing them. Many anti-virus programs also scan your system to detect and eliminate threats.
Regularly Run Updates
Software companies frequently release updates to improve their operating systems. Installing these updates promptly keeps your computer secure and optimized. Updates fix errors, resolve bugs, and address vulnerabilities, often enhancing performance.
To check for updates on a Windows computer, open the Control Panel and select “Check for Updates.” On an Apple computer, go to the Apple menu and select “Software Update.” Your system will scan for available updates and present a list of options. Select the updates you wish to install and follow the provided instructions.
