There’s nothing worse than a laptop running at a snail’s pace. Before you make the decision to throw your slow computer out of a window (or donate it) try these tricks to help make your computer run like new again.
Reboot it
“Turn it off and then turn it back on again.” You’ve probably heard this before. The truth is, 90 percent of the time this actually works to solve most basic problems. Your computer is probably doing more than you realize, with many programs open at once and- maybe unknown to you- some running in the background. All temporarily stored data is wiped out when you restart, giving the software a clean slate to run normally again.
Unused Programs
It’s not always easy to let go of older programs that have served you well, but if you’re not using it anymore, it’s only taking up needed space on your computer. If you don’t want to delete them, move old programs, files, or data to external hard drives to create space on your laptop. This extra room for memory will allow your computer to operate more efficiently.
Reset your PC
Gemmis can restore your computer to the factory setting, but if you want to reset your laptop on your own, you need to first back up all the data. Once you are sure your data is safe on an external hard drive, you can proceed. For Windows, find the button that says Change PC settings and click Update and recovery. Choose the Recovery button and then under Remove everything and reinstall windows, click Get started.
Automatic Launches
There might be some programs that launch immediately when you start up your computer. This gives your computer no fighting chance, right from the start. It’s like beginning your run at the bottom of a mountain. You can stop auto run in a Mac by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. For windows you’ll need to download Autoruns v13.51.
Clean it up
Dust and food particles will slow your laptop down and even overheat it. For just three dollars you can purchase a compressed air can that will help you clean the keyboard and vents where dust accumulates. Use a cleaning wipe on the exterior, to remove additional dust and grime. Not only will this help extend the life of your computer, it’ll help make it look as shiny and as new as it’s insides will feel after you’ve rebooted it.
If these things don’t help, it might be time to consider a new laptop. The technicians at Gemmis are happy to help recommend our favorites.
