How to Make Your Old Laptop Run Faster
Many teachers are making do with old laptops due to lack of money to buy a new one. However, old laptops can become slow and frustrating to use over time. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to improve the performance of your old laptop and make it run like new. Here are some tips to follow:
Disable Unnecessary Services
Windows has many services that run in the background and consume system resources. Some of these services are essential for the proper functioning of your laptop, but others are not. You can disable the unnecessary services to free up memory and CPU power. Here are some of the services that you can safely disable:
- Windows Update: This service automatically downloads and installs updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. While it is important to keep your laptop updated, you can also do it manually when you have a stable internet connection. To disable Windows Update, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
- Find Windows Update in the list of services and double-click on it to open its properties.
- In the Startup type drop-down menu, select Disabled and click OK.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
- Windows Search: This service enables the indexing of files and folders on your laptop for faster searching. However, it also uses a lot of disk space and CPU power. If you do not use the search feature often, you can disable Windows Search. To do so, follow these steps:
- Follow the same steps as above to open the Services window.
- Find Windows Search in the list of services and double-click on it to open its properties.
- In the Startup type drop-down menu, select Disabled and click OK.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): This service transfers data in the background using idle network bandwidth. It is used by Windows Update and other applications to download updates and files. However, it can also slow down your internet speed and interfere with your online activities. To disable BITS, follow these steps:
- Follow the same steps as above to open the Services window.
- Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service in the list of services and double-click on it to open its properties.
- In the Startup type drop-down menu, select Disabled and click OK.
- Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
There are other services that you can disable depending on your needs and preferences. However, be careful not to disable any essential services that are required for the proper functioning of your laptop. If you are not sure about a service, you can search for its name online and find out what it does and whether you need it or not.
Uninstall Unused Programs
Another way to make your old laptop run faster is to uninstall the programs that you do not use or need. These programs can take up valuable disk space and slow down your laptop’s startup and shutdown times. To uninstall unused programs, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
- Find the program that you want to uninstall and click on it to select it.
- Click on the Uninstall button and follow the instructions to remove the program from your laptop.
- Repeat the process for any other program that you want to uninstall.
You can also use a third-party tool like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller to remove the programs and their leftover files and registry entries.
Clean Up Your Disk
Over time, your laptop’s disk can accumulate a lot of temporary files, cache files, log files, and other junk that can slow down your laptop and reduce its storage space. You can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to delete these files and free up some disk space. To use Disk Cleanup, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer window.
- Right-click on the drive that you want to clean up (usually C:) and select Properties.
- Click on the Disk Cleanup button and wait for the tool to scan your drive and calculate how much space you can save.
- Check the boxes next to the files that you want to delete and click OK.
- Click on Delete Files to confirm your choice and wait for the tool to finish the cleanup.
You can also click on the Clean up system files button to delete more files, such as old Windows installations, Windows update files, and system restore points. However, be careful not to delete any files that you may need in the future.
Defragment Your Disk
Another way to improve the performance of your old laptop is to defragment your disk. Disk fragmentation occurs when the files on your disk are split into multiple pieces and stored in different locations. This can make your laptop slower and louder, as it has to work harder to access the files. To defragment your disk, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer window.
- Right-click on the drive that you want to defragment (usually C:) and select Properties.
- Click on the Tools tab and then click on the Optimize button under the Optimize and defragment drive section.
- Select the drive that you want to defragment and click on the Analyze button to check its fragmentation status.
- If the drive is more than 10% fragmented, click on the Optimize button to start the defragmentation process.
- Wait for the process to finish and close the window.
You can also use a third-party tool like Defraggler or Auslogics Disk Defrag to defragment your disk and optimize its performance.
Upgrade Your Hardware
The final tip to make your old laptop run faster is to upgrade your hardware. This may require some investment, but it can make a significant difference in your laptop’s speed and performance. The two main components that you can upgrade are:
- RAM: RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it is where your laptop stores the data and programs that it is currently using. The more RAM you have, the more programs you can run at the same time without slowing down your laptop. To upgrade your RAM, you need to find out what type and size of RAM your laptop supports, buy the compatible RAM modules, and install them in your laptop’s RAM slots. You can use a tool like Crucial System Scanner or Speccy to find out your laptop’s RAM specifications and compatibility.
- SSD: SSD stands for Solid State Drive, and it is a type of storage device that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks. SSDs are much faster, quieter, and more reliable than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). They can improve your laptop’s boot time, file transfer speed, and overall performance. To upgrade your SSD, you need to find out what type and size of SSD your laptop supports, buy the compatible SSD, and replace your existing HDD with the SSD. You can use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo or HWiNFO to find out your laptop’s SSD specifications and compatibility.
Upgrading your hardware can be a bit tricky and risky, so you may want to consult a professional or follow a reliable guide before attempting it. You may also need to backup your data and reinstall your operating system after upgrading your hardware.