PC hardware continues to become more efficient and faster with each new version, but every operating system is fallible. As fast as our desktop or laptop computers can be once they’re up and running, the initial delay after we press the power button can sometimes seem to go on forever. Here at Friendly PC we enjoy the beeps, whirs, and seemingly random splash screens of a computer’s boot cycle as much as anyone, but nobody likes to wait.
Your computer’s start up time isn’t set in stone. You can trim down the time it takes your computer to start up with just a handful of easy changes. We’ve got 8 tips to help you speed up your Windows PC startup and get to work faster.
#1 – Don’t Use Third Party Cleaner or Defragmenter Software
If it seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Skip the “Speed Up Your PC!” ads and stick to what your operating system already includes. Windows 10 has all the tools necessary to keep your PC clean and clear, and to optimize any and all settings you can think of with just a few clicks. Cleaners promoted online often slip in a few “extras” that you didn’t ask for, and in some cases can pose a significant risk to your machines security.
#2 – Disable Crapware
Every piece of software takes up valuable RAM and CPU cycles on your PC. When your computer seems to be slowing, take a look at what programs and apps are installed. Pay special attention to programs you’ve never used or those that tout “protection”, “defender”, or “anti-” in the name. Nearly every newly purchased PC or laptop has pre-installed software or “crapware” from the vendor that doesn’t serve as well as we’d like. Many place themselves into a queue of actions that your computer must load every time it powers on, regardless if you’ve chosen to actually use the program.
Windows makes it easy to find and delete unused or unwanted programs. To find the list in Windows 10, open the start menu, type “add or remove programs” and select that option, under “Apps & features” you’ll see a list of every program installed on your machine. Left click the program you want to remove and click uninstall.
Don’t forget to wipe away programs and apps you’ve installed yourself, BUT be sure you check what a program does before uninstalling it. Just because you don’t recognize the name doesn’t mean it’s not essential to the machines functions.
#3 – Limit Automatic Startups
Now that you’ve weeded out those pesky programs and apps taking up space on your PC, it’s time to decide which of those should run at startup automatically or wait for you to click the go button.
Windows updated Task Manager makes this simple. Thanks Windows! Pressing Ctrl-Shift-Esc opens the menu. Switch to the Startup tab, and you’ll find each program’s startup status. Right-click any item to change the status to “disabled”. You probably don’t need Spotify or a camera all the time. Change those first, generally most “Windows” items are beneficial to your PC so you can leave those as they are.
#4 – Clean Up Your Disk
Disk Cleanup is a tool that has existed on many versions of Windows. It finds and offers to delete unwanted junk files such as temporary files, offline web pages, installer files and more. Generally, this cleanup only makes a noticeable difference if your hard drive is nearly full. However, there’s no harm in keeping a regular cleanup schedule.
Open the Start menu, and type “Disk Cleanup” to launch the tool. Simply select the files you want to delete and let the magic happen.
#5 – Upgrade your RAM
If you’ve tried the above options and your computer is still struggling to boot up, consider upgrading your machine’s RAM. Adding more RAM (or installing a faster variety) is a very cost-effective way to add headroom to your computer’s memory. Today’s tablets and slimmer ultrabooks, chromebooks, and convertibles usually have a fixed amount of RAM that can only be increased with your initial purchase. However, desktops and most business or gaming laptops remain easily upgradable. Bigger name brands offer simple search tools to show which type of RAM your PC uses. High performance RAM is becoming more affordable as well with 8GB options averaging about $60.
#6 – Install a Solid State Drive (SSD)
The majority of mid to top tier PC’s now come ready built with a Solid State Drive, a hard-drive with no moving parts, or a combination of SSD and traditional hard disk drive (HDD). However, your lower tier PCs and older models likely still use only HDD, meaning the switch to SSD can significantly improve startup performance. Unfortunately, not all computers are are made to accommodate SSDs, so be sure to do your homework before making the purchase! These drives are a bit more expensive than HDDs, but in an up-to-date system, the performance difference – especially during startup – can be astonishing.
Friendly PC can help curb that cost with our daily Solid State Upgrade Special! You’ll receive an 250GB SSD upgrade for $249.99, labor included!
#7 – Adjust Power Settings
Your PC may have an eco friendly option to reduce power consumption. If you need to move quickly, consider turning off power saver settings or adjusting to high performance settings, especially during startup.
If your computer is slowing down and you need a hand to get things moving quickly, give Friendly PC a call at 402-965-3300 or visit our store at 108th & L. There’s always a solution, we’ll help you find it!
