Nobody likes a slow computer. It’s an absolute killer of productivity as you can never seem to get into a good groove in your workflow. It affects everybody. You, your team, and anybody who relies on you…so basically, everybody. Slow PCs can hit your business’s performance hard.
There tends to be two types of people when it comes to PC hardware. Those that see their technology as an investment, keeping up to date and the productivity flowing, and those that see their technology as a cost, never wanting to update until they absolutely need to.
Whichever camp you fall into, I’ve got some good news for you. You can squeeze a little bit more performance out of your computers before you need to update them. While this won’t eliminate the need to update your hardware (basic workstations have a lifespan of about 5 years) it will help get the best performance out of them for the life of the computer.
Here’s a rundown of easy fixes to boost your performance on Windows 10 and 11:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
It’s long become a joke by this point, and completely overlooked many times because it’s overly simple. Restarting your computer can do wonders. It clears out all the background processes, apps, and memory hogs that slow things down. If your computer’s been on for ages, turning it off and on again can fix a bunch of problems.
Clean up your Startup
Windows loves to let apps sneak into your startup routine, dragging down your boot time. Trim the fat by turning off unnecessary startup apps.
Here’s how:
- Open Settings
- Head to Apps
- Find the Startup page
- Sort apps by their “Startup impact”
- Flip the off switch on apps you don’t need at boot
A quick restart after this can make your startup smoother and quicker.
Turn off restartable apps
Windows 11 tries to be helpful by reopening apps after a restart. It can be convenient, but it’s not great for performance and will slow your PC down.
To turn this off:
- Dive into Settings
- Click on Accounts
- Visit the Sign-in options page
- Turn off the “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in” option
This keeps your startup clean and quick, especially if you’re not using those apps every day.
Debloat your PC
Got apps you never use? They’re just taking up space and resources. Here’s how to get rid of them:
- Open Settings
- Click on Apps
- Go to the Installed apps page
- Pick an app, hit Uninstall, and follow any prompts
Clearing out the old makes room for the new and keeps your system running smoothly.
Remember, the quality of software matters. Before you click download on new software, a little homework goes a long way. Look up reviews and feedback to steer clear of trouble.
Sorry to say, not all apps can be uninstalled. Many of the apps that come preinstalled from Microsoft can’t be removed. Some of that is changing with the recent passing of the Digital Markets Act in the EU, which will allow for removal of in-box apps Edge, Camera and Photos.
Regular Maintenance
Maintenance on a PC is an absolute requirement. Just like wear and tear on a vehicle, you’re going to need to keep up with servicing of your computers as well. Technology is constantly changing and updating, so software and hardware is constantly being updated to continue working properly, efficiently, and safely.
Optimizing your existing PCs could save you a lot of time and money. If you’re not into DIY, why not let us handle it? Our team can deep-dive into your computers and network to uncover any hidden gremlins and keep things running smoothly for the best performance. Use my live calendar to schedule a convenient time to chat.