Apparently, many users noticed that immediately after a “clean” installation, Windows operating systems, regardless of modification, work quite fast, although not in the most optimal mode. But over time, the computer begins to slow down, applications open for a very long time, and indeed, working in the system becomes extremely problematic. About how to improve the computer with Windows 7 on board or with any other modification, and it is proposed to talk. The tenth version of the system will be discussed separately.
How to improve the performance of an old computer?
So, let's start, perhaps, with outdated computer systems that cannot compete in performance with modern PCs and laptops, nor do they support the installation of the latest modifications of Windows operating systems. How to improve a computer running Windows XP, for example, whose basic hardware configuration is simply not designed to install systems of a rank higher?
The first thing that most users think of is upgrading (replacing older components with more modern ones). It should be said right away that this is not the best solution, since the motherboard may not support the installation of the latest equipment. It turns out that it will have to be changed in the first place, which at a cost can be comparable to buying a new computer. Nevertheless, the question "how to improve the computer" can be solved by using software methods that work absolutely in all operating systems of this family (with rare exceptions). Further, all these methods will be considered as detailed as possible.
How to improve computer speed: processor and RAM
As you know, the processor and RAM are the heart of any computer and are exposed to the load in the first place. The times when overclockers overclocked processors manually have long passed - now this is not necessary. You can, of course, add additional memory bars, but you can free its resources without this (it will be further understood how this is done).
But let's see how to improve the processor on a Windows computer. For optimization, you can use special programs like CPU Control Center.
In the application, you can specify an automatic optimization mode or redirect the execution of certain processes to the selected core yourself. The Windows toolkit also has a tool for engaging all cores and threads with the installation of certain amounts of RAM for each core. But putting your hand in your heart, it’s worth saying that ordinary users should not do such things. Incorrect setting of parameters will only lead to the fact that the operating system will stop working, and it will be impossible to restore it by any known methods.
For RAM through the BIOS options, you can gradually increase the bus frequency (at a time no more than 40-70 MHz), and then test with the Memtest86 + utility until a failure is detected. When it appears, the last change is canceled, leaving only the parameter that preceded the appearance of a malfunction. Again, you can do such things only with full knowledge of the issue. But how to improve computer performance if such restrictions are set?
GUI
First, let's pay attention to the graphical interface of the operating system. Starting with the XP version, a lot of visual effects have appeared in it. And in terms of design, he received many innovations. Most users do not think at all that all these effects put a strain on the graphics adapter, overly reducing the amount of allocated graphics memory. Here's how to improve the performance of a video card on a computer? The first step is to turn off all of these effects! Do not worry about the fact that the interface will look like a la Windows 95, but the performance gain can be felt immediately.
To do this, in the “Control Panel”, through the system section and additional parameters, go to the performance options and instead of the best view, activate the item for ensuring the best performance.
Disk Cleanup and Check
Junking a disk with computer junk can also play a negative role. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you clean it at least once a week. You can do this with a regular system tool or use automated optimizers. We will consider the programs that improve the computer’s operation a little later, but for now we’ll discuss what you can do with your own Windows tools.
In the most ordinary “Explorer” you need to select a disk or partition and go to the properties through the PCM menu. On the general settings tab, you can choose to erase the disk, select the items to delete, and activate the process.
If you use the button to delete system files, the field of activity will expand significantly. So, for example, in Windows 10, you can delete previous system installations, which can take about 20-30 GB (on the disk, this is the Windows.old folder, which cannot be deleted manually).
On the service tab, it makes sense to use the disk check button, because it may contain errors (usually it is). When activating the process, it is recommended to check the boxes opposite the items for automatic error correction and failed clusters.
Along the way, you can get rid of unnecessary programs that are used very rarely or not used at all. But it is advisable to delete them with utilities like iObit Uinistaller, since they allow you to get rid of all residues after the standard uninstall procedure.
In addition, you can remove unnecessary fonts from the Fonts folder. They, if anyone does not know, also have a very noticeable effect on system performance.
Disk Defragmenter
One of the solutions to the question "how to improve the computer with Windows 7 or with another modification" is to use disk defragmentation (its launch button is on the same service tab).
This does not directly affect system resources, but it allows you to speed up the launch of frequently used programs quite strongly. Their components simply move to the fastest areas of the hard drive, so it takes much less time to start the application. In addition, unlike what you see in Explorer (ordered structure), all files are scattered across the disk. But after defragmentation, they are structured, although this does not look like a file manager.
Startup items
Now a few words about how to improve the computer by disabling unnecessary applications and processes that run directly at the start of the operating system. And for starters, consider the startup section.
In Windows 7 and below, you can get to it through the system configuration (msconfig in the "Run" console).
On the appropriate tab, you just need to uncheck the unnecessary processes, and then accept the restart offer. It is undesirable to disable the ctfmon process, since after deactivating it, the language switch will disappear from the system tray and the language panel itself will be unavailable.
In Windows 10, the startup section is moved to the "Task Manager" (taskmgr in the "Run" menu), and disabling programs starting with the system is done by pressing the corresponding button.
System components
The next step in the process of resolving the issue of how to improve a computer running Windows 8, for example, will be disabling services that start with the system, but are not visible to the user at startup. These are the so-called Windows components. The menu for their selection is in the section of programs and components of the “Control Panel”.
In the window of the presented services, you need to deactivate all unnecessary. For example, you can turn off the print service if you do not have a printer, disable the use of the Hyper-V module if you are not using virtual machines, deactivate the Internet Explorer service if you have another browser installed by default, and so on. components and services will require a reboot.
Drivers & Platforms
It is impossible to imagine issues related to how to improve computer performance without considering the current status of hardware drivers and virtual devices. Installing the latest versions of such management software often has a very tangible effect. This is especially true for graphics cards, sound cards, all kinds of controllers, etc.
It is clear that through the same “Device Manager” updating the driver in manual mode makes absolutely no sense.
Therefore, preference should be given to specially developed programs for this purpose like Driver Booster or online utilities like DriverPack Solution Online (version 17 is currently available). It cannot be said that these are precisely programs that improve computer performance in the literal sense of the word, nevertheless, such applications, after scanning all devices and their drivers via the Internet, turn to the online resources of official equipment manufacturers and software developers for it, after which they find the most current driver versions, download them and integrate into the system without user intervention.
In addition, the system itself needs to be updated, agreeing with the installation of updates. Most of these packages are designed primarily for patching security holes, but some relate to updating important platforms such as DirectX and the .NET Framework, without which many games or multimedia programs may work incorrectly or not function at all. In extreme cases, you can download the installation distributions of these platforms on the official Microsoft website and install them yourself. At least on the graphics adapter and sound card this will affect the most favorable way.
the Internet
For the Internet, you can also find many solutions. How to improve the Internet on a computer? First of all, the browser used for Internet surfing should be periodically cleaned by deleting temporary objects, cookies, image thumbnails, as well as the history of visits and downloads. All browsers without exception have such a function.
In some cases, it makes sense to take advantage of the additional capabilities of browsers and enable Turbo-acceleration. Sometimes special utilities are useful for automatically increasing the access speed, however, as they say, you won’t jump above your head. If you have a speed limit of 100 Mbps, no matter how hard you try, you won’t get the most out of the dedicated line.
Optimizers
Finally, we will consider what programs that improve the computer's work will be useful for everyday optimization. There are a lot of such applications. Among the most famous, popular and most sought after by users are CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, All-in-One Toolbox and many others. They all work on similar principles. Each such utility has a set of modules that allows you to perform comprehensive system maintenance, even using fully automatic mode. Basically, in any package you can find tools for cleaning, checking and defragmenting a disk, fixing invalid and deleting obsolete registry keys, optimizing the registry and startup, speeding up Internet access, detecting spyware or unwanted software, repairing shortcuts and vulnerabilities, etc. It is especially worth paying attention to working with the registry, since in the Windows systems themselves such tools are not provided at all.
In addition, in any such application there is a quick cleaning section in which you just need to mark the necessary modules, press the start button for scanning the system, and then confirm the corrections.
Swap file
Now we pass, as they say, to heavy artillery. The pagefile.sys paging file is responsible for the operation of virtual memory, which is a specially reserved place on the hard drive or in a logical partition and is used at the moment when the RAM is overloaded. You can find the settings in the same performance section that was used to change the appearance of the interface.
By default, the option to automatically determine the size of the paging file is set in the settings, but if necessary it can be changed or disabled at all. If we talk about practice, it’s better to set your own size half as much as recommended by Windows. If it is not planned to use resource-intensive programs on the computer, and the user will work, say, only with office documents, virtual memory can be disabled. In this case, the unloading of program components will be carried out directly in RAM, which is several times faster in access to components than if virtual memory were used (this is nothing more than a hard disk access).
Hibernation file
Finally, you can get rid of the hibernation file, which in the system partition can take up a lot of space. You cannot delete it manually, so you must disable the corresponding mode.
To do this, use the command line, which is mandatory to run as administrator, and write the command powercfg -h off in it. After its execution and a complete reboot of the system, the hibernation file will be deleted automatically.
Unnecessary Windows 10 Options
As for the tenth modification of Windows, there are some difficulties. The fact is that it initially included too many unnecessary functions, many of which users complain about, considering that the system constantly monitors their actions. This is partly true. How to improve computer performance on Windows 10? In addition to all of the above, services such as geolocation, telemetry, etc., are subject to disconnection.
It will be quite problematic for an ordinary user to find their settings in the system, therefore, to simplify the work, you can install the special Windows 10 Manager utility and disable unnecessary elements of the operating system using it.
Instead of an afterword
These are the main methods and directions in optimizing the operation of the Windows operating system of any generation. Apparently, many users already have a question about what exactly to use to speed up the computer. The easiest way to install automated utilities for updating drivers and comprehensive care of the system. However, some system settings in them cannot be changed. Therefore, actions with the same hibernation and swap files, processor acceleration, and RAM optimization will have to be performed independently.