If you’re wondering how to speed up your computer without spending a lot of money, you’re not alone. Over time, even the best machines start to slow down due to cluttered files, background programs, or outdated settings. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot on software and new equipment to see a significant improvement in maintenance. All it takes is a few basic changes to ensure that your machine starts working better again and restores its former speed and efficiency.
From deleting old files and folders to adjusting some system settings, there are many free ways to make your computer run a little better. These tricks can be used to save you time and avoid frustration, whether you consider your device a work tool, a gaming device, or an everyday browsing device. Next, we’ll discuss effective ways you can implement today to make your system more aerodynamic.
18 Tips to Speed Up Your Computer
In this guide, I’ll show you easy, free ways to speed up your computer. No fancy tech knowledge needed. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Restart Your Computer
Sounds too simple, right? But it works.
Many people leave their computers running for days. Sometimes even weeks. Apps stay open. Background processes pile up. Memory leaks happen. And boom — everything slows down.
Quick fix: Restart your computer at least once a day.
It clears the memory. It closes stuck apps. And it gives your PC a fresh start.
Remove Unnecessary Startup Programs
Ever wonder why it takes forever for your computer to boot up? It’s probably because tons of programs are trying to launch at the same time.
Here’s how you can fix that:
- On Windows 10/11:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the Startup tab.
- Look for apps you don’t need at startup.
- Right-click and choose Disable.
Be careful though. Don’t disable anything important like your antivirus.
Uninstall Programs You Don’t Use
Old games. Forgotten software. Trial apps you never bought. They sit there, hogging space.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (or just search “Add or remove programs”).
- Look through the list.
- Delete stuff you don’t need.
Less clutter = more speed.
Clean Up Your Hard Drive
A cluttered hard drive slows down everything. Good thing Windows has a built-in tool for this.
- Search for Disk Cleanup.
- Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
- Check boxes for temporary files, system cache, recycle bin, etc.
- Hit OK and let it work.
Pro tip:
Emptying your recycle bin regularly helps too!
Update Your Software
Outdated drivers and programs can cause serious slowdowns.
Make sure your:
- Operating system
- Device drivers
- Installed software
…are all up-to-date.
Windows updates can feel annoying. But trust me. They’re worth it. Updates fix bugs, improve performance, and boost security.
How to check for updates:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Click Check for updates.
Check for Malware and Viruses
A hidden virus can seriously wreck your PC’s performance.
Good news: you don’t need expensive antivirus software.
Use Windows Defender:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.
- Click Virus & Threat Protection.
- Run a full scan.
It’s free. And it’s already built into your computer.
If you want extra protection, free tools like Malwarebytes are great too.
Defragment Your Hard Drive (If You Have HDD)
If your PC uses an old-style spinning hard drive (HDD), defragmenting it can speed things up. (Note: If you have an SSD, skip this. Defragging an SSD can actually harm it.)
Here’s how:
- Type Defragment and Optimize Drives into the search bar.
- Select your hard drive.
- Click Optimize.
It’s like cleaning up a messy room — but for your files.
Reduce Visual Effects
Windows loves fancy animations. But they can slow down older PCs.
You can tone them down:
- Right-click This PC and select Properties.
- Click Advanced system settings.
- Under Performance, click Settings.
- Select Adjust for best performance. (Or manually choose which effects to keep.)
Instantly, things feel snappier.
Adjust Power Settings
If your computer is set to Power Saver, it’s slowing itself down to save energy.
Switch to High Performance mode:
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Choose High Performance.
Your PC will use a bit more energy. But it’ll feel much faster.
Delete Browser Extensions You Don’t Need
Browsers can get bogged down by too many extensions. Especially Chrome.
Take a few minutes to:
- Open your browser’s extensions page.
- Disable or remove anything you don’t use.
Your browser — and your whole PC — will breathe easier.
Clear Your Browser’s Cache
Over time, your browser stores tons of data: cookies, cached images, history. Clearing it out can speed up your computer.
Here’s the general idea:
- Open your browser settings.
- Find Privacy or History.
- Choose Clear browsing data.
- Select cached files, cookies, and history.
- Confirm.
Do this once a month or so. You’ll notice a difference.
Use Lighter Apps
Big, heavy apps take forever to load. Lighter alternatives can be your best friend.
Examples:
- Use Notepad instead of Word for simple notes.
- Try VLC instead of heavy video players.
- Switch from Chrome to Brave or Edge for faster browsing.
Small swaps = big speed boosts.
Disable Search Indexing (If You Rarely Search)
Windows constantly indexes files to speed up search results.
But if you hardly use search, it’s just wasting resources.
To disable:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type services.msc and hit Enter.
- Find Windows Search.
- Right-click, choose Properties.
- Set Startup type to Disabled.
Boom. Less background work.
Free Up RAM
Too many programs open at once? You’re killing your memory.
Here’s a quick fix:
- Close programs you’re not using.
- Avoid keeping dozens of browser tabs open.
- Use the Task Manager to kill memory-hogging apps.
Pro tip:
Installing free RAM cleaners like Wise Memory Optimizer can help too.
Turn Off Background Apps
Windows runs a bunch of apps in the background. Even when you’re not using them.
Here’s how to stop them:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps.
- Turn off apps you don’t need.
Less background noise. More speed.
Tweak Your Virtual Memory Settings
Sometimes your physical RAM isn’t enough. That’s where virtual memory comes in.
You can tweak it:
- Open Control Panel > System.
- Click Advanced system settings.
- Under Performance, click Settings.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Under Virtual memory, click Change.
Increase it slightly. It gives your PC more breathing room.
Use a Lighter Antivirus
Heavy antivirus programs like McAfee or Norton can slow your computer to a crawl.
Stick with Windows Defender. It’s lighter and free.
Or use alternatives like:
- Avast Free Antivirus
- Bitdefender Free Edition
They protect you — without hogging your resources.
Reset Your PC (As a Last Resort)
If nothing else works, you can reset your PC.
It gives you a fresh, clean install without losing your files (if you choose carefully).
To reset:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Click Get started under Reset this PC.
- Follow the prompts.
It’s like hitting the restart button on your computer’s life.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to spend big money to speed up your computer. Most computer problems can be fixed for free with a little effort and patience.
Remember:
- Restart often.
- Clean up clutter.
- Keep things updated.
- Be mindful of what runs in the background.
A little care goes a long way. Your PC will thank you. And so will your sanity.
