Is your computer running slower than it used to? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a gamer, a video editor, or just someone browsing the web, a sluggish PC can be frustrating.
The good news is that you don’t need to buy new hardware to fix this. With a few simple tweaks, you can learn how to speed up your PC in about 10 minutes. Best of all, these are things you can repeat every month to keep your computer running smoothly.
Let’s walk through each step together.
1. Check for Windows Updates
The first thing to do is check whether your system is up to date. Outdated software and drivers can quietly slow your PC down.
- Open the search bar and type “Windows Update”
- Click “Check for updates”
- Also check “View optional updates” for driver updates you might be missing
Even if your system shows as updated, checking optional driver updates is a step many people skip.
2. Turn on Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
Next, head to Settings > System > Display > Graphics Settings and turn on hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. This shifts some processing work to your graphics card, which can improve overall performance. You’ll need to restart your PC for the change to apply, so it’s best to save this restart until after you’ve made all your settings changes.
3. Remove Unused Apps
Go to Settings > Apps and scroll through the list of installed programs. Uninstall anything you no longer use. Some built-in apps can’t be removed, but many extra programs can be safely deleted to free up space and reduce background activity.
4. Manage Your Startup Programs
Apps that launch automatically when you turn on your computer can seriously slow down startup time. Head to the Startup tab in Settings (or right-click the taskbar and open Task Manager) and disable anything you don’t need running immediately.
Keep essential programs enabled — for example, audio drivers or hardware-specific software — but turn off anything non-essential, like apps you rarely use.
5. Adjust Privacy and Background App Settings
Windows runs a surprising number of background processes tied to privacy features. In the Privacy settings, consider turning off:
- Personalized suggestions and content recommendations
- Inking and typing personalization
- Voice activation features you don’t use
- Unnecessary app permissions (camera, microphone, etc.)
Also check the Background Apps section. Many built-in apps — like extra utilities you never open — are allowed to run in the background by default. Turning these off can free up system resources.
6. Enable Game Mode
Under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, turn this feature on. It helps Windows optimize resource allocation, which can benefit not just gaming but editing and everyday browsing too.
7. Clean Up Your Disk Space
Low disk space can slow your computer’s read and write processes. To clean up:
- Open File Explorer and right-click your main drive
- Go to Properties > Disk Cleanup
- Select the files to delete and confirm
For traditional hard drives (not SSDs), you can also run an error check and use the Optimize and Defragment Drive tool. Avoid running these optimization tools on solid-state drives, since they’re already optimized differently.
8. Clear Temporary Files
Temporary files pile up over time and take up unnecessary space.
- Press Windows + R, type
%temp%, and delete the files in that folder - Press Windows + R again, type
temp, and repeat the process
If a file is in use, simply skip it — these are safe to leave alone.
9. Switch to High Performance Power Mode
Search for “Power and Sleep Settings,” then open Additional Power Settings. Choose the High Performance plan if you’re using a desktop. Laptop users should be cautious, since this setting uses more battery power.
10. Adjust Visual Effects
Go to Advanced System Settings and adjust visual effects for best performance. Windows adds a lot of visual polish that can quietly drain system resources. Choosing a performance-focused setting keeps your PC looking clean while reducing background strain.
11. Scan for Malware
Finally, run a malware scan. A lightweight, trusted anti-malware tool can catch issues that slow your PC down without you realizing it. Many free versions offer a full system scan, which is a good place to start.
Conclusion
Speeding up your PC doesn’t require expensive upgrades — just a bit of regular maintenance. By updating your system, managing startup apps, cleaning up disk space, and adjusting a few settings, you can noticeably improve your computer’s performance in just 10 minutes.
Try these steps today, and if you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it or leave a comment with your results!
