Newer PCs run very fast, but eventually they slow down until there comes a point where the only options are to erase everything on the hard drive or buy a new PC.
It’s easy to despair when your PC takes more than ten minutes to fully start up (or takes forever to open a program). Before coming up with a drastic solution like formatting the computer there are several tricks to extend its useful life without spending money:
1. Update the operating system– Keeping the software updated is not only useful to prevent cyberattacks. Developers work to optimize the performance of their programs. If the operating system warns you that an update is available, install it
two. Delete unnecessary files: one of the problems that computers usually have over time is the saturation of the hard disk. As when we have been in a house for a while, the most common thing is to fill drawers and cabinets with objects, experts recommend not filling a hard drive above 90% (7% if it is an SSD). From time to time, for example every week, you have to do a thorough cleaning and remove files and folders that are no longer used, especially those that are very large. You also have to empty the recycle bin. If you need to keep those files, it is better to back them up to an external hard drive.
3. Clean the disc. There are computers that have outdated file cleaning tools. If it has been a long time since this operation was performed or if it has never been performed, it will probably take a while to calculate the space that can be freed, but it is worth the wait.
Four. Uninstall programs that are not necessary: is another way to clean the hard drive. There are programs that take up a lot of space and are never or almost never used. Be careful not to remove any that are necessary for the correct operation of the equipment. As a general rule, it is advisable to delete only those of which you are totally sure. When in doubt, you can also search the Internet for what this program is for.
5. Scan the computer with an antivirus: Malware can slow down your computer and damage it, so having a good antivirus is essential. If the PC suddenly runs much slower it is advisable to thoroughly check it with an antivirus, of course, trying to do it during the hours when the equipment is not used.
6. Disable unnecessary programs from startup: If your computer takes a long time to start, it is probably because too many programs are running when you turn it on.
7. Detect which programs consume the most resources: some programs need a fair amount of resources to function, and some may be too much for a computer that has been around for some time.
8. Adjust the power plan: Windows includes several default power plans. The one selected by default is ‘Balanced’, which adjusts performance with energy consumption, but there is also the ‘High Performance’ option, which consumes more energy but improves the latter. To choose this option or create a new plan, open the Control Panel and select ‘Hardware and Sound’> ‘Power Options’.
9. Clean the inside of the computer: Not everyone is aware that dust seeps through computer vents and settles on components, affecting performance. Before cleaning the interior, the computer should be unplugged and unplugged, then the side panel is removed by removing its screws and a lint-free cloth (or a bottle of compressed air) is used to clean the filters and visible dust from the heat sinks. heat, graphics card and fan. Unless you have some knowledge of how it works, it is best not to touch the thermal paste that protects some components.
10. Keep the desk clean– The operating system loads all items on the desktop, including shortcuts, at startup, so having a screen full of icons is not a good idea. To have these accesses handy, you can create a couple of folders on the desktop (one for programs and one for documents), nothing more.
