If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things up. The tips are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn’t.

Free Solutions to Improve PC Performance:

1. Restart Your Computer Regularly:
This clears temporary files in memory and closes unnecessary background applications, which can significantly improve performance.
2. Update Windows and Drivers:
Ensure your operating system and device drivers are up-to-date, as updates often include performance enhancements and bug fixes.
3. Manage Startup Programs:
Disable programs that automatically launch when you start your PC, as they consume resources and slow down boot times and overall performance. You can do this through Task Manager’s Startup tab.
4. Free Up Disk Space:
Disk Cleanup: Use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files, old system files, and other unnecessary data.
Delete Unused Software: Uninstall programs you no longer use to free up disk space and resources.
Clear Temporary Folders: Manually delete contents of the temp and %temp% folders (be cautious not to delete files in use).
5. Reduce Background Processes:
Close Unnecessary Applications: Shut down or minimize apps and browser tabs you aren’t actively using, especially resource-intensive ones.
Adjust Privacy Settings: Turn off unneeded background processes in privacy settings, such as those related to speech, inking, and app permissions, to reduce background resource consumption.
6. Optimize and Defragment Hard Drives (for HDDs):
If you have a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD), defragmenting it can improve file access speeds, but this is not necessary for Solid State Drives (SSDs).
7. Scan for Malware and Viruses:
Malware can significantly impact PC performance, so run regular scans with your antivirus software.
8. Adjust Visual Effects (Optional):
Disabling some visual effects in Windows settings can free up resources, especially on older or less powerful machines.