The instruction is designed primarily for novice users who have not previously thought about how different MediaGet, Zona, Mail.Ru Agent or other software affects the speed of work, love to establish numerous programs that speed up the computer or intended for cleaning it. But, of course, these are not the only possible reasons for the slow computer that I will consider here. In general, proceed.
Update 2015: The manual was almost completely rewritten to morely comply with today's realities. Added additional items and nuances designed to improve the performance of your PC or laptop.
How to speed up the work of the computer - the basic principles
Before talking about specific actions that can be taken to accelerate the work of the computer, it makes sense to note some of the main aspects that affect the speed of the operating system and equipment.All marked items are the same for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and 7 and belong to those computers that previously worked normally (so I do not mark the list, for example, a small amount of RAM, calculating that it is enough).
- One of the main reasons is that the computer slowly works - all sorts of background processes, that is, the actions of those programs that the computer performs "secretly". All the same icons you see (and some of them are not) to the right below in the Windows notification area, processes in the task manager - all this uses the resources of your computer, slowing it. At the average user almost always more than half of the programs work in the background simplicity are simply not needed there.
- Problems with the work of the equipment - if you (or another person who installed Windows) did not make sure that official drivers were installed for the video card and other equipment (and not those operating system installs independently), if any computer equipment leads Himself strange, or the computer submits signs of overheating - it is worthwhile to do this if you are interested in a fast-working computer. Also, you should not expect lightning actions from outdated equipment in new conditions and with new software.
- Hard disk - a slow hard disk, a strongly filled or failure of HDD can lead to slow operation and system hangs. If the hard disk of the computer submits signs of incorrect operation, for example, there is strange sounds, you should think about replacing it. Separately, I note that To date, the acquisition SSD instead HDD provides perhaps the most obvious increase in the speed of the PC or laptop.
- Viruses and malicious programs - you may not know that there is something potentially undesirable or harmful on your computer. And it, in turn, willingly will use free system resources. Naturally, it is worth removing all such things, but about how to do it - I will write more about in the relevant section.
Perhaps all the main listed. Go to solutions and actions that can help in our task and remove the brakes.
Delete Windows Startup Programs
The first and main reason why the computer is loaded for a long time (i.e., until you start to start something in Windows), as well as wildly slowly works at novice users - a huge number of various programs that run automatically When starting Windows. The user can even know about them, but believe that they are needed and not to give them much importance. However, even a modern PC with a bunch of processor cores and a significant amount of RAM can begin to seriously slow down, if not to ensure that it is in autoload.
Almost all programs that automatically start when entering Windows continue to be performed in the background during your session. However, not all of them are needed there. Typical examples of programs that should not be kept in autoload if you are important than the speed of work and you need to remove the brakes of the computer:
- Printer and Scanner Programs - If you print from Word and other document editors, scan through some kind of own program, the same Word or Graphic Editor, then not all Printer Manufacturers Programs, MFPs or Scanner are not needed in autoload - all necessary features will work And without them, and if some of these utilities need, just run it from the list of installed programs.
- Torrent clients - Not everything is so unequivocally, but in general, if you constantly do not have a lot of files to download, you do not need to keep the UTorrent or another client in autoload: when you decide something to download, it will start himself. During the rest of the time he, having a work, constantly works with a hard disk and uses traffic that in the amount can have an undesirable effect on performance.
- Utilities for cleaning the computer, USB scanners and other service programs - if you have an antivirus installed, then it is enough in the list of automatically downloadable programs (and if not installed - install). All other programs that are designed to speed up and protect in autoload are not needed in the overwhelming majority.
To remove programs from autoloading, you can use standard OS funds. For example, in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, you can right-click on the "Start", open the task manager, click the "More details" button (if displayed), and then go to the "Startup" tab and see what is there and there Disable programs in autoload.
Many of the necessary programs that you install can automatically add yourself to the autoload list: Skype, UTorrent and others. Sometimes it is good, sometimes bad. Slightly worse, but a more frequent situation - when you quickly install the desired program by pressing the "Next" button, agree to all items "recommended" and, in addition to the program itself, acquire a certain amount of software hostess that applies in this way. These are not viruses - just a different software that you do not need, but still appears on your PC, it starts automatically and sometimes it is not so easy to remove (for example, all satellite Mail.ru).
In more detail on this topic: how to remove programs from the Windows 8.1 autoload, autoloading programs in Windows 7
Remove malicious programs
Many users do not even guess that they have something wrong on their computer, which is inhibits it because it is slowing down because of the malicious and potentially unwanted programs on it.
Many, even excellent, antiviruses do not pay attention to this kind of software. But it is worth paying attention to you if you are not satisfied with Windows loading and launching programs for a few minutes.
The easiest way to quickly make sure whether the malicious programs are the reason for the slow work of your computer - to start scanning using free AdwCleaner or Malwarebytes Antimalware utilities and see what they will find. In many cases, simple cleaning with these programs has already significantly improves the visible system performance.
Read more: Malware removal tools.
Computer Acceleration Programs
Many families are familiar to different types of programs that promise to speed up the work of Windows. This can include CCleaner, Auslogics Boostspeed, Razer Game Booster - there are many similar tools.
Should I use such programs? If about the last I will say that it is rather not, then about the first two - yes, it is worth it. But in the context of the acceleration of the computer, only to manually perform some of those items that were described above, namely:
- Remove programs from autoload
- Remove unnecessary programs (for example, using an uninstaller in CCleaner)
Most of the other options and functions of "cleaning" are in no way lead to acceleration, moreover, in inept hands can lead to the opposite effect (for example, cleaning the browser cache more often leads to a slowing down site loading - this function exists not to accelerate, like a number of other Similar things). You can read more about it, for example, here: Using CCleaner with benefit
And finally, the programs, "accelerating the work of the computer", which are in autoload and their work in the background leads to a decrease in productivity, and not vice versa.
Delete all unnecessary programs.
For the same reasons that are described above, there may be a large number of completely unnecessary programs on your computer. In addition to those who were randomly installed, downloaded from the Internet and forgotten forgotten as unnecessary, the laptop can also contain programs that installed the manufacturer. It is not necessary to think that all of them needed and carry: Various McAfee, Office 2010 Click-to-Run and various other pre-installed software, except for what is intended directly to control the laptop hardware, you do not need. And it is installed on the computer when buying only because the manufacturer gets money from the developer.
In order to see the list of installed programs, go to the Windows Control Panel and select "Programs and Components". With this list you can delete everything that you do not use. In some cases, it is better to use special programs to remove programs (uninstallastors).
Update Windows and Video Card Drivers
If you have licensed Windows, I would recommend installing all updates automatically, which can be configured in the Windows Update Center (although, by default, it is already installed there). If you continue to use the illegal copy, I can only say that this is not the most reasonable choice. But you are unlikely to believe me. One way or another, in your case updates, on the contrary, are undesirable.
As for the update of the drivers, then it is necessary to note the following: almost only drivers that should be updated regularly and which significantly affect the performance of the computer (especially in games) is the video card drivers. Read more: How to update video card drivers.
Install SSD.
If you are intense, whether to increase the RAM with 4 GB to 8 GB (or other options), buy a new video card or do something else to make everything run faster, I strongly recommend that you purchase a SSD drive instead of a conventional hard disk.Perhaps you met in the publishing phrases like "SSD is the best thing that can happen to your computer." And today it is true, the increase in speed will be apparent. Read more - what is SSD.
Is that in cases where the upgrade you need exclusively for games and in order to increase the FPS, it will be reasonable to purchase a new video card.
Clean hard drive
Another possible reason for slow work (and even if it is not a reason, it is still better to do it) - a hard drive clogged under the string: temporary files, unused programs and much more. Sometimes you have to meet computers with only a hundred megabytes of free space on HDD. In this case, the normal operation of Windows becomes simply impossible. In addition, if you have an SSD disc, then when filling it with information above a certain limit (about 80%), it begins to work slower. Here you can read how to cleanse the disk from unnecessary files.
Spend a hard disk defragment
Attention: this item, I think today is outdated. Modern Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 defragment hard disk in the background when you do not use the computer, and for SSD defragmentation is not needed at all. On the other hand, the procedure will not harm.
If you have a regular hard disk (not SSD) and from the moment of installation of the system, a lot of time has passed enough, programs and files were installed and fileds, then a slightly speed of the computer can defragment the disk. In order to use it in the Explorer window, right-click on the system disk, select "Properties", then the "Service" tab, and then click the Defragmentation button ("Optimize" in Windows 8). This process can take for a long time, so you can run defragmentation before leaving or in an educational institution and everything will be ready for your arrival.
Configuring Podchock File
In some cases, it makes sense to independently configure the Windows paging file. The most common from such cases is a laptop with 6-8 GB RAM or more with HDD (not SSD). Given that hard drives on laptops are traditionally slow, in the described situation to increase the speed of the laptop, you can try to disable the paging file (with the exception of individual work scenarios - for example, professional photo and video editing).Read more: Setup Windows swinging file
Conclusion
So, the final list of what can be done to speed up the computer:- Remove all unnecessary programs from autoload. Leave the antivirus and, possibly, possible, Skype or another program for communication. Torrent clients, NVIDIA and ATI control panels, various addicts included in Windows assemblies, printer and scanner programs, cameras and telephones with tablets - all this and much more in the autoload is not needed. The printer will work, kies can be launched and so torrent will start automatically if you decide to download something.
- Delete all unnecessary programs. Not only in the startup there are software that affects the speed of the computer. Numerous advocates of Yandex and satellites Mail.Ru, unnecessary programs that were pre-installed in advance on a laptop, etc. - All this can also affect the speed of the computer, having running system services for its work and other ways.
- Update windows and drivers for a video card.
- Remove unnecessary files from the hard disk, free the space on the system HDD. It makes no sense to store terabytes of already viewed films and images with games of games locally.
- Install SSD if there is such an opportunity.
- Configure Windows Paddock file.
- Defragment hard disk. (If this is not SSD).
- Do not install multiple antiviruses. One antivirus - and all, additional "utilities for checking flash drives", "Anti Trojans" and other do not install. Moreover, the second antivirus - in some cases it leads to the fact that the only way to force the computer to work normally - reinstalling Windows.
- Check your computer for viruses and malicious programs.
I hope these tips will help someone and will allow you to speed up the computer without reinstalling Windows, which is often resorted to any hints on the "brakes".