Released 2015, Windows 10 has quickly become one of the world’s most popular operating systems (OS). Statistics show that nearly one-third of all desktop PCs are powered by it. Although Windows 10 offers dozens of improvements and additional features over its predecessors, some users of Microsoft’s latest OS have reported slow speeds and sluggish performance. If this sounds familiar, consider the following optimization tips to make Windows 10 faster.
#1) Disable Animations
Animations consume valuable processing power and computer memory that could be used for other purposes. To disable animations in Windows 10, access Settings > Ease of Access > Other Options. For the “Play animations in Windows” option, toggle the slider to the off position.
#2) Run Maintenance Tasks
As explained by CNET, Windows 10 has a native troubleshooting tool that will find and fix problems automatically. While not foolproof, it can resolve many problems that would otherwise affect your computer’s speed. You can access this tool by searching for “troubleshooting” in the Windows 10 search bar and selecting the “Troubleshooting Control Panel” icon.
#3) Disable Startup Programs
Like older versions of Windows, Windows 10 will automatically run certain programs on startup. Normally, this isn’t a problem. But if your computer automatically runs a dozen or more programs on startup, it can affect your computer’s speed and performance. To disable programs from running on startup, access the Windows 10 Task Manager and click the Startup tab. From here, right-click the program and choose “Disable.” The program will remain on your computer, but you’ll have to launch it manually.
#4) Modify Boot Menu Timeout
By default, Windows 10 has a 30-second boot menu timeout. When you start your computer, you’ll see the Windows 10 logo displayed on your screen for 30 seconds before it actually loads the desktop. This gives users the opportunity to access Safe Mode or other system settings. You can lower the boot menu timeout, however, under Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Startup and Recovery > Settings.
#5) Install an SSD
Finally, consider replacing your hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid-state drive (SSD). Unlike HDDs, SSDs use digital methods of data storage. Therefore, they are significantly faster than their counterparts.
Making just a few small tweaks to your Windows 10 PC can improve its speed and performance. If you still experience poor performance, run the Task Manager to see which apps or processes are consuming the most resources.
