How to Make Windows 10 Faster: Top Tips to Boost Your PC’s Performance

If your Windows 10 computer feels slower than it used to, you’re not alone. Over time, your PC can become bogged down with unnecessary apps, background processes, startup programs, and cluttered files that eat up system resources. The good news? You can make Windows 10 faster — without needing to buy a new computer.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you practical, step-by-step methods to speed up your Windows 10 PC and keep it running smoothly. Whether you’re using an older laptop or a powerful desktop, these optimizations will help you get the most out of your system.

Why Does Windows 10 Slow Down Over Time?

Even the best computers slow down after months or years of use. Common causes include:

• Too many startup apps running at boot

• Unnecessary background services consuming RAM

• Fragmented drives and bloated storage

• Outdated drivers or Windows updates pending

• Malware infections or adware

• Insufficient RAM or old hard drives

The key to fixing these issues is understanding what’s slowing your PC — and then applying targeted fixes to boost performance.

---

Check Your PC’s Current Performance

Before we start optimizing, let’s analyze your system’s current performance.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Go to the Performance tab.

3. Check CPU, Memory, Disk, and GPU usage.

4. Identify which processes are using the most resources.

This quick check gives you a baseline for where your bottlenecks are — whether it’s memory, CPU, or disk usage.

---

1. Disable Startup Programs

Too many apps launching at startup can significantly slow down boot times.

How to disable startup apps:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

2. Go to the Startup tab.

3. Right-click any unnecessary apps and select Disable.

💡 Tip: Disable apps like Spotify, OneDrive, Adobe Updater, or anything you don’t use immediately after boot.

---

2. Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

Old, unused software not only takes up space but can also run hidden services in the background.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.

2. Sort by Size or Install Date.

3. Uninstall programs you no longer need.

✅ Pro Tip: Avoid uninstalling system-critical programs or anything labeled “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.”

---

3. Optimize Your Hard Drive (HDD/SSD)

If your PC has a traditional HDD, fragmentation can slow file access. SSDs, while faster, also benefit from optimization.

To optimize your drive:

1. Press Windows + S, type “Defragment and Optimize Drives,” and open it.

2. Select your drive.

3. Click Optimize.

🔍 Note: Windows automatically performs this weekly, but manual optimization can help if your PC feels sluggish.

---

4. Clean Temporary and Junk Files

Temporary files, browser cache, and old system logs clutter your disk.

Use built-in Disk Cleanup:

1. Press Windows + S, search Disk Cleanup.

2. Choose your drive (usually C:).

3. Select items like Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, and System Cache.

4. Click OK > Delete Files.

Or use Settings > System > Storage to view and remove unnecessary files manually.

---

5. Adjust Power Settings for Performance

Windows 10 defaults to a “Balanced” power plan that limits performance to save energy. Switching to “High Performance” can make a big difference.

To enable High Performance:

1. Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

2. Select High performance.

⚡ If you’re on a laptop, this may reduce battery life slightly but will speed up performance.

---

6. Turn Off Visual Effects and Animations

Windows 10 includes several visual flourishes that look nice but can slow things down.

How to disable animations:

1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Go to the Advanced tab → click Settings under Performance.

3. Select Adjust for best performance or manually uncheck effects like:

   • Animate windows when minimizing/maximizing

   • Shadows under windows

💡 Result: Faster window transitions and more responsive navigation.

---

7. Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware, spyware, and background crypto miners can drastically slow your PC.

Run a full scan:

1. Open Windows Security (Windows + I > Update & Security > Windows Security).

2. Click Virus & threat protection.

3. Choose Full scan and let it complete.

🛡️ Optional: Use tools like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner for a deeper scan.

---

8. Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated drivers and system updates can cause performance issues or compatibility problems.

To update:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

2. Click Check for updates.

3. For drivers, open Device Manager → right-click a device → Update driver.

⚙️ Keeping drivers updated ensures smooth performance, especially for GPU, audio, and network components.

---

9. Manage Background Apps

Some apps keep running even when you close them, consuming memory and bandwidth.

Turn off unnecessary background apps:

1. Open Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

2. Turn off apps you don’t need running all the time.

This can notably reduce RAM and CPU usage, especially on systems with limited memory.

---

10. Upgrade Hardware Components (If Needed)

If you’ve tried all software optimizations and your PC still lags, it may be time for a hardware upgrade.

💡 Even upgrading to an SSD alone can make an old PC feel brand new.

---

11. Disable Cortana and Background Indexing

Cortana and Windows Search Indexing can consume CPU cycles unnecessarily.

To disable Cortana:

1. Press Windows + I, open Privacy > Speech.

2. Turn off Online speech recognition.

To disable Indexing:

1. Press Windows + S, type Services, and open it.

2. Locate Windows Search → right-click → Properties → set Startup type: Manual.

🧠 You’ll still be able to search files — it’ll just take a moment longer, with less background load.

---

12. Defragment or TRIM Your Drive

HDDs need regular defragmentation; SSDs use TRIM to maintain performance.

To defragment/trim:

1. Type Defragment and Optimize Drives in the search bar.

2. Select your drive and click Optimize.

🧹 Windows automatically detects drive type and applies the right method (Defrag or TRIM).

---

13. Use Storage Sense to Automate Cleaning

Storage Sense automatically deletes temp files and cleans up space.

To enable:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.

2. Turn on Storage Sense.

3. Click Configure Storage Sense to customize cleanup frequency.

This ensures your PC stays clean without manual effort.

---

14. Adjust Virtual Memory (Page File)

Windows uses part of your disk as “virtual RAM.” Setting it manually can help improve performance.

To adjust:

1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl.

2. Go to Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced tab > Virtual memory.

3. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size.”

4. Select your C: drive → choose Custom size.

👉 Recommended:

• Initial size = your RAM (in MB)

• Maximum size = 1.5× your RAM

Click Set > OK > Restart.

---

15. Reset or Reinstall Windows 10 (Last Resort)

If your PC is still sluggish after trying everything, a clean reinstall may be the best solution.

To reset Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.

3. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.

🚀 This will remove all bloatware and restore your PC to a like-new state.

---

🏁 Conclusion

By now, you’ve learned how to make Windows 10 faster using a mix of software tweaks, cleanup steps, and hardware upgrades.

Here’s what we covered:

• Disable unnecessary startup apps and background processes.

• Clean junk files and optimize your storage.

• Adjust performance settings for maximum speed.

• Keep Windows and drivers updated.

• Upgrade hardware components if needed.

Implementing even a few of these tips can make a huge difference. Combine them all — and your Windows 10 PC will feel fresh, fast, and responsive once again.

---

❓ FAQs

1. How can I make Windows 10 start up faster?

Disable unnecessary startup programs from Task Manager and turn off visual effects. Switching to an SSD also dramatically reduces boot times.

2. Will adding more RAM speed up Windows 10?

Yes, if your system often runs out of memory. Upgrading from 4GB to 8GB or more improves multitasking and reduces lag.

3. Is it safe to delete temporary files?

Absolutely. Deleting temporary files helps free up disk space and improve performance. Use Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense safely.

4. Should I disable Windows updates for better performance?

No. Updates often include performance and security fixes. Instead, schedule updates during non-working hours.

5. How often should I defrag my hard drive?

For HDDs, once every 2–4 weeks is enough. SSDs don’t need defragmentation — Windows automatically performs TRIM instead.

---

🧩 Summary: Key Takeaways

---

Final Thought:
Keeping your Windows 10 system optimized doesn’t require technical expertise — just regular maintenance and a few smart tweaks. Follow these steps, and your PC will reward you with faster speeds, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance.