The Knowhow
Step 1: Free up hard disc and memory space
Start Tasks:
- Press the Windows and R key at the same time
- Enter msconfig into the text box that appears
- Click the Startup tab
- This will show you a full list of all programs that run when your laptop starts
- Deselect any that you don’t need by unticking them
- You can see more information on each program by widening the Command section
- When you are done, click Apply and restart your machine
- If you are unsure of what the files do, untick and restart one line at a time
- If you deactivate a program you still want to run, go back to the Startup tab and put the tick back
Internet Explorer:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click Tools and select Internet Options
- Under Browsing History click Delete
- Make sure Temporary Internet Files and Cookies are selected. You can select any other options you want too.
- Click Delete
Recycle Bin:
- Go to the desktop and right-click on the Recycle Bin icon
- Choose Empty Recycle Bin
Delete unwanted programs:
- Open the Control Panel
- Double-click Add or Remove Programs
- This will bring up a list of all installed software on your computer
- Click on any programs you no longer need
- Choose Change / Remove and select to uninstall them
- Repeat this until you have uninstalled all software you don’t want any more
Step 2: To tidy and speed up the hard disc
Error checking and Defragmentation
- Go to the desktop and open My Computer
- Right-click on the icon for the C:/ and select Properties
- Click the Tools tab
- Under Error Checking, choose Check Now
- Make sure Automatically Fix and Scan for and attempt. are both selected, then click Start
- You may get a message saying the process will commence when the machine is restarted. If so, restart your computer.
- When the computer has finished error checking or has restarted, go back to the Tools tab
- Click Defragment now, then Defragment
- Leave the PC while it does this; it can take some time
Step 3: To improve performance (Optional)
Performance options:
- Open the Control Panel
- Double click to open System
- Click on the Advanced tab
- Under Performance, click Settings
- Choose Adjust for best performance and click Apply
This step lets your computer use part of your hard disc as memory, which can give a speed boost.
Virtual memory:
- Open the Control Panel
- Double-click to open System and click the Advanced tab
- Under Performance, click Settings
- Click to the Advanced tab and choose Change under Virtual Memory
- Make sure Custom Size is selected
- Under Minimum size, enter double the default amount
- Click OK
The final step ensures all changed you’ve made take effect and any old settings are properly removed from the computer.
Restart:
- Shut down your laptop
- When the computer is fully shut down, wait at least 30 seconds
- Waiting this long makes sure the power fades from every component and any functions stored in memory are fully removed
- Restart the computer
With all these changes, you should find a noticeable improvement in your laptop’s performance. Should you still be having problems it may be worth looking into installing more RAM. Many programs are optimised to run with a minimum of 4GB of memory. Once the computer is working at a good speed again, you can power through your work double fast.
If you'd like help from our experts at KNOWHOW, we offer a PC Tune Up service. Click on the links below for details:
