As your laptop gets older, it starts to slow down. Invalid Windows registry entries, old files, unused programs, and even malicious software are some of the causes of a slow computer. To make your old laptop faster, you have to tune it up. It is easier than you think.
In this article, I will be showing you a number of ways to make an old laptop faster. Let’s start with some simple things you can do yourself.
Contents
Method 1: Defragment Your Hard Drive
As you store data on your computer, some of them are not properly arranged. The more fragmented your hard drive, the more time the computer needs to retrieve information.
Step 1: Click on the Search button. Type Disk Defragment in the search box.
Step 2: Select the disk you want to defragment. Click on the Analyze button. At this point, you may be prompted to provide administrator permission. Do so and wait for the process to complete.
Step 3: Click on the Optimize button (note: if you’re on Windows 10 or older operating systems, click on Defragment disk). Again, you might be prompted to give the administrator permission to continue. Enter the administrator password and press Enter.
Method 2: Update Antivirus
Malware replicates itself and adds an extra burden on your computer processing power. Some eCrime actors could infect and hijack your computer to mine cryptocurrencies.
That’s why you need antivirus software. Good security software removes viruses, ransomware, Trojans, worms, spyware, and more.
At home and in the office, I use Norton AntiVirus Plus, McAfee antivirus, and Malwarebytes. Install any one of these and do a full system scan.
Method 3: Remove Unused Files and Apps
Unused computer files and programs use up system resources, too. To make your computer faster, they have to be deleted.
Step 1: From the Start button, go to Settings (or type Add or Remove Programs in the search box).
Step 2: Under Apps & Features, locate and click on the program you want to uninstall. And click on the Uninstall button.
Step 3: Wait until the program is removed from your computer. Restart your laptop to remove associated files.
Method 4: Remove Programs from Automatic Startup
When you boot your laptop, some programs automatically run at startup. The larger the number of startup programs, the more time your laptop needs to boot. Here’s how to reduce the number of programs that run at startup.
Step 1. Click on the Search icon.
Step 2. For Windows 11, type Startup Apps in the search box; for Windows 10, type Startup Tasks. Press Enter.
Step 3. The preceding window shows you a list of applications that run at startup. Toggle off all third-party applications that you don’t need to auto start.
Method 5: Upgrade Laptop Component
Sometimes you need to upgrade your laptop by changing the hard drive or the RAM or both components. When shopping for RAM, make sure you know the maximum RAM capacity for your motherboard.
You can use a scan tool to find out how much memory you can have. This is the easiest method. For example, to search for compatible RAM for an HP Pavilion laptop, go to Kingston.com. Type the Make/Model and click search to see your system information, compatible memory, and the maximum RAM you can have.
If you are on a budget, you can boost your available RAM with a free tool such as Avira RAM Cleaner.
Method 6: Run a System Cleaner
Although the above methods are easy to follow, not everyone might be able to go through them. Luckily, there are third-party system cleaners to do the job.
All you have to do is download any of them, follow the installation wizard to complete the process, and click a button or two, and your hard disk is defragmented, unused files and programs deleted, invalid Windows registry entries removed, and many more.
Final Words
In summary, these are the things you can do to make an old laptop faster. Upgrading the hard drive and RAM might need an intermediate-level IT skill; however, other methods require only a beginner-level skill.
If you recently made an old laptop faster or there is something you would like to add to the mix, please drop your comments. We would like to hear your opinions on this.
