Tips to Optimize Windows Performance and Perform a Thorough System Cleanup

There is nothing more frustrating than when your computer runs terribly slow when you need it the most. If you’re using your computer for business presentations, meetings, school projects, or any other essential activities, it is important that it runs as efficiently as possible. Don’t give up, we will highlight some of the most commonly used techniques to make your Windows less prone to system performance issues and run it as fast as it was before.

Uninstall Unneeded Software

When you buy a new PC or laptop, it comes with a bunch of preloaded software. Most of us don’t use this software but they continue to eat up our storage and run in the background. By uninstalling this software, you can make free space and reduce the number of background resources consuming your CPU usage.

1. Click on Start, select Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Select an application to remove.
4. Click on Uninstall.

Alternatively, you can remove a program by right-clicking its Start Menu icon and selecting the Uninstall option.

Disable Applications Loaded at Boot-time Interval

Startup programs are one of the reasons why your computer loads slower. You may want to disable unwanted startup applications to boot your system boot interval.

1. Right-click on your Taskbar.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Click on More details.
4. Go to the Startup tab.
5. Select a third-party (Non-Microsoft) application.
6. Click on Disable.

Check for Spyware and Malware

It’s not uncommon to pick up a virus while downloading files from the Internet or surfing non-reputed websites. Spyware and malware perform various malicious activities in the background which causes it to run slower. Scan your computer for viruses and remove them. Keep your Antivirus up-to-date with the latest virus definitions.

Disable Extensions

If you’re encountering performance issues while using your browser, there is a possibility that your browser is loaded with plenty of extensions (add-ons).

Browser extensions are tiny external components added to enhance the features and functioning of your browser. If you’re not using some extensions, disable them.

1. Click on Menu.
2. Select More tools > Extensions.
3. Move the switch to the right for the extensions you want to disable.

Optimize Windows for Best Performance

Windows allows you to optimize itself for the best performance or best appearance. Disabling resource-consuming animations and features will deliver higher performance.

1. Right-click This PC.
2. Select Properties.
3. Type Performance in the Search box on the left.
4. Open Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows from the search results.
5. Go to the Visual Effect tab in the new dialog.
6. Select Adjust for best performance, and then click on OK.

Delete Duplicate Files

Duplicate files occur while downloading new files from the Internet, transferring files from one location to another. Deleting duplicate files will help you free up storage and reclaim the lost storage occupied by identical junk files.

Features

• Delete duplicate files permanently
• Generate a backup before deleting duplicates to restore them in the case you change your mind
• Move duplicate files to another folder so that you can review them later
• Fast, reliable scan results with 100% accuracy
• Automatically previews a file when you select it
• Automatically select hundreds of duplicate files
• Get a record of your previous scan transactions in the History tab.

Steps

1. Download and install Clone Files Checker.
2. Click on the Add button.
3. Select a path to search for duplicates. For example, the Downloads or Documents folder
4. Choose one of the options from All files or Custom. All Files enables you to scan all file types whereas Custom enables you to specify individual file types to scan.
5. If you want to exclude files above/ below certain sizes, use the file size filters and specify a size of your choice.
6. Click on Start Search.
7. Once the scan is finished, a list of duplicate files will appear. Use the checkboxes to mark or unmark files.
8. Click on Select Duplicates and use one of your desired selection patterns.
9. Click on Select Action and choose whether to move your duplicates to another folder or delete them permanently.

Perform Disk Cleanup

Disk CleanUp is an in-house tool in Windows that analyzes your hard drive for temporary, junk files and deletes them to clean up your storage.

1. Open This PC.
2. Right-click a drive, select Properties.
3. Click on General.
4. Click on Disk Cleanup.
5. Wait for a while till your HDD is scanned for temporary files.
6. Select the items you want to clean up and then click on OK to proceed.