Having a slow laptop can be very frustrating, especially if you use it for work or school. Applications that freeze or commands that take a long time to execute Not only do they steal time, but they also affect your productivity.What can you do? Let's take a deep dive into this topic to find effective solutions for a slow laptop.
It is normal for a computer to become slower over time. Sometimes this problem can be mitigated by making some adjustments to the settings. Other times, it is necessary to Clean or upgrade your computer's hardware. And there are cases where it is more convenient format the storage disk or even change the operating system. Let's take a look at all this.
7 Effective Solutions for a Slow Laptop
There are several things you can do to optimize the performance of a slow laptop, regardless of the operating system it has installed. Of course, The results will depend on the amount of time you have used the equipment.The older you are, the more difficult it will be to restore your initial performance or even reach high levels of optimization.
On the other hand, it is rare for the modern computers slow down overnight. When that happens, it is almost certain that have been infected with a virus and they need to be cleaned up urgently. In any case, the measures listed below are effective for new computers as well as for older ones.
Clean your computer's hardware
You won't believe how well a computer works after giving it a thorough cleaning. Dust and dirt build up on the heat vents, which can cause damage to the computer. obstructs airflow. In consecuense, the equipment starts to overheat, which in turn reduces the performance of its components.
So, the best thing you can do with a slow laptop is to give it a thorough cleaning inside. To do this, you're going to need some screwdrivers for small screws, compressed air canister or with a pair of soft bristle brushes. Arm yourself with a lot of patience and be very careful as you disassemble and clean.
Check disk performance on slow laptop
Normally, Operating systems incorporate a function to perform performance checks on connected drives or disks.This scan finds and fixes possible errors, removes junk files, and improves the overall performance of the drive. To use it, simply open the drive manager and go to the Properties section of the drive where the operating system is installed.
For example, if you have a Windows computer, open the application Team and right click on the drive you want to clean. Then click on Properties and open the tab Tools There, select the option Optimize and defrag drive and click OptimizeLikewise, computers running macOS or a Linux distribution also have performance verification options.
Uninstall apps you don't use or have high requirements
We continue, and this time we are going to look at those programs and applications installed on your laptop that are rarely used. They are probably taking up valuable disk space that could be put to better use. Uninstalling these programs can free up space and help the system find files more quickly..
Reduce the number of applications running in the background
Apps running in the background are one of the main reasons why your laptop is running slow. Operating systems like Windows and macOS automatically launch several applications as soon as you turn on your computer. These simultaneous processes consume resources unnecessarily. and they only slow down your computer.
It is therefore essential that Minimize the number of applications running in the background on a slow laptop. You can manage these applications from the Task Manager (Windows) or from the Activity Monitor (macOS). Disable all programs that are not necessary for the system to function, such as players, weather applications and any other widgets.
Turn off visual effects
Motion effects, automatically changing wallpapers, transparencies, sounds… You may need to You can do without all these visual effects if you want to improve the speed of a slow laptop.The simpler the system interface remains, the greater the amount of resources that will be available to execute basic processes.
At Disable Visual Effects on a Slow Windows 10 Laptop, follow these steps:
- Click Start, type the command syshm.cpl and select the application that appears to open System Properties.
- Click on the Advanced tab and press the Settings button.
- The Performance Options window will open. On the Visual Effects tab you will see a list of all the visual effects.
- Check the option Let Windows choose the best settings for this computer. This will disable unnecessary effects based on the installed capacity.
- You can also check the Customize option to manually uncheck the visual effects.
On the other hand, it is possible disable Windows 10 animations from the section Configuration. From that window, choose Accessibility and, in the left list, click on Screen. On the right, the screen settings will appear with the option Simplify and customize Windows. Turn off the switches for Show animations in Windows y Show transparency in Windows.
Add more RAM and an SSD
If your laptop continues to experience slowness, you may need to take more drastic measures to help it out. It may be time to add more RAM and, why not, install an SSD driveWith this, you will notice an outstanding improvement in the performance of the entire system.
Format the slow laptop
If you are unable to upgrade your computer's RAM or replace its hard drive with an SSD at the moment, your best option is to reinstall the operating system. For example, if your laptop is running Windows 10, You can reinstall it without having to delete your important files or data.. Doing this works, but after a short time your computer may start to slow down again.
Have you thought about changing your operating system? This alternative may seem a little intimidating, but it can be the best option for a slow laptop. There are some Linux distributions that are very lightweight and have an easy-to-use interface for those coming from Windows. ZorinOS, Linux Lite and Linuxfx are some examples of Linux-based operating systems that you can try.
In conclusion, we have seen seven effective solutions for a slow laptop that can help you improve the performance of your computer. In any case, The result will depend on the age of the computer and the hardware installed.But if you want to give your precious machine a second chance, you'll have to go all out and take whatever risks are necessary. Good luck!
Since I was very young I have been very curious about everything related to scientific and technological advances, especially those that make our lives easier and more entertaining. I love staying up to date with the latest news and trends, and sharing my experiences, opinions and advice about the equipment and gadgets I use. This led me to become a web writer a little over five years ago, primarily focused on Android devices and Windows operating systems. I have learned to explain in simple words what is complicated so that my readers can understand it easily.