Intro
We've all been there, your system is slowing down and nothing has physically changed with the computer. In this post we will go over some key things you can do to clean and speed up your OS.
Cleaning up Windows 10
1.Disk Cleanup
2.Virus Scan
3.Uninstalling programs
4.Deleting files in the downloads folder
5.Run a SFC Scan and Image Cleanup
How to Speed Up Windows 10
1.Disable Background Apps
2.Uninstall Windows Bloatware
3.Disable Start-Up Processes
4.Update your OS
1. Disk Cleanup
The easiest way to access this tool is to click on the start button and search: Disk Cleanup. If you have more than one drive installed, make sure you select the drive that is running your OS. After running the initial cleanup there will be another option to Clean up system files, this will search for windows upgrade and temporary update files. Run the disk cleanup and select which files you want removed! This is a simple way to clear up some disk space while not having to worry about losing any personal data. All of the files that get deleted are Temporary files or files that aren't accessed by a normal user.
2. Run a Virus Scan
Click on the windows start button-> Search for Windows Security->open up virus & threat protection and run a quick scan or click on scan options-Full scan. The days of having a 3rd party anti-virus program are over. Due to newer technology that blacklists harmful programs online and Microsoft constantly pining their servers, the build in anti-virus has a 98.4% detection rate and can pick up on just about everything. Malicious programs running in the background will not only slow down your computer, but also can delete system files, encrypt personal files and send your data out to unknown parties.
3. Uninstall Programs
There have been plenty of times where I have installed a program and haven't really used it. So in this case it is best to uninstall unnecessary programs that are eating up system resources. To uninstall programs click on the windows start button->open control panel->click on Programs and Features. This will be the list of programs currently installed on your machine, and you can sort them by name, date installed and size. If you see a program and don't know what it does, then make sure you do some research before removing it. Things to look out for are programs you don't remember installing and programs without a publisher.
4. Delete files in your Download folder
I work at a computer repair shop and I couldn't tell you how many times I have cleaned up a pc and seen thousands of files still stored in the download section. Weather it be copies of an already existing file that was moved into the documents folder or even multiple installers for the same program. Make sure you keep this folder clean, as its easy to forget and can eat up some disk space.
5.Run a System File Check and Image Cleanup
The SFC scan will check all the protected system files and replace any corrupted files with a cached copy that is stored on your pc. To run it click on the windows start button->open command prompt in administrator mode-> run the following command: sfc /scannow
This will being the verification phase of the system scan.
With the same window open run this command: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
The DISM tool allows for your current system files (after sfc) to be repaired based on the Microsoft files stored on their server. This step isn't always necessary but it useful to double check your system files if SFC found corrupted files and wasn't able to fully restore them.
How to Speed up Windows 10
1. Disable Background Apps
To do this click on the windows start button->open background apps and search through the list of apps you don't use or just disable them all with the slider on the top. All of these programs, which you probably haven't even used half of them, are always running in the background to make them open up faster. Now these don't take up a lot of system resources but if they aren't being used then why have them running.
2. Remove Un-Used Microsoft Programs
To do this click on the windows start button->open apps and features->go through the list and uninstall apps that you don't use. This list will include some bloatware that Microsoft includes with the OS, so some of these programs will not show up in the programs list under control panel.
3. Disable Start-up Processes
Programs that load as soon as your computer boots will make the start up time longer. So disabling these will not only speed up your boot time, but will also prevent them from running in the background if you decided not to open them on your current windows session. To do this press ctrl+shift+esc on your keyboard. Then at the bottom of task manager click on More details and up at the top you will see a tab for Startup. Go through the list and disable any program you don't use as long as its not driver related.
4. Updating Windows 10
To update Windows 10 click on the start button->Open Check for Updates and click the button. As simple as this sounds updates running in the background can cause your disk to be pre-occupied with this task and really slow down your machine. Not to mention you won't be missing out on any security updates and amazing feature updates!
