9 Simple Steps To Make Your Computer Run Faster

Like death and taxes, the slowing of a computer is one of life’s inevitabilities. As computers become more cluttered and outdated, they show their age quickly. But before you rush out and buy a new laptop, try these 8 simple steps to make your computer run faster and more smoothly.

1. Go On An Uninstalling Spree

You probably don’t realize it, but your computer is overloaded with programs you never use. This will vary from person to person, but it’s important to catalog what you’re actually using on your computer and what’s there eating up space and power. Don’t be afraid to be mercenary with what you get rid of, but make sure you don’t uninstall anything of vital importance.

2. Delete, Delete, Delete

A full hard drive is an unhappy hard drive. Even with 15 percent capacity remaining, a hard drive will begin to slow a computer’s functionality immensely. So, it’s time to get strict about the files on your computer. Do you really need those prom pics? Do you need all of Beethoven’s sonatas? Is your trash emptied?

3. Give In To The Cloud

That leads us directly to our next tip: use the cloud for files that you don’t actively need on your computer. We’re not advocating blowing big money on expensive cloud services, but use storage like Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud to clear up space on your computer.

4. Add More Storage

Instead of (or in addition to) using the cloud, you can take the physical route and put all of your non-essentials on an external hard drive. Be careful because these things have a knack for failure at inopportune times, but it can be a great way to clean up your computer.

5. Clean Your Computer

This one might require the help of a pro, or at least some very careful consideration. We’re not talking about giving your computer a general wipe down, we mean getting the dust and gunk out of your machine. If your computer is constantly overheating or even just running hot, this is a great move. You’ll be surprised, and dismayed, at just how much dust lives in your computer.

6. Install Those Updates

Updating your computer is inherently annoying. Usually the first week or so of an update doesn’t work as well as you’d like, or dramatic interface changes make it all difficult to navigate. The temptation to wait to upgrade is natural, but it can really end up backfiring. Check for updates now, it might be just the thing you need.

7. Restart Your Computer

“Have you tried turning it off and on again?” The old adage exists for a reason. Like a good night’s sleep, sometimes all your computer needs is a bit of rest. As any IT person will tell you, rebooting your computer regularly is essential in keeping it defragmented and clean.

8. Remove Malware

If you’ve got malware on your computer, it could be slowing it down. Install a trusted malware remover and scan your computer. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to do this either. There are plenty of trusted malware removers that come in free editions, such as SUPERAntiSpyware.

9. Choose Your Browser Wisely

Between Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Explorer, there are a lot of options for browsing the internet. And while the debate rages eternal about which is best, certain browsers do eat up more of your computer’s processing power, which can start a chain reaction of slow processing. Firefox is often cited as one of the sleekest, but it may depend on what kind of rig you’re running.

While bettering your computer isn’t an exact science, we hope this list will help you get some more time out of your computer. If these steps don’t do anything for you, it might be time to call it and purchase a new rig.