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How to Speed Up Old Laptops


Did you know that, on average, a good laptop should last for 5 to 7 years? It's true that as we upgrade to newer operating systems and we install demanding software applications, performance can be affected. Here's what you need to do to make your portable computer run fast once again.

Speed Up Old Laptops

Replace the old hard drive with an SSD; this is by far the most effective method to boost your laptop's speed. Since most SSDs can transfer data at speeds that can reach and sometimes even exceed 500 MB per second, I guarantee that this upgrade will rejuvenate your trusty digital companion. And the best news is that a decent SSD costs less than $100.


If you prefer to keep the old hard drive, you should run a defragmentation application at least once a month. Since larger files are scattered in data chunks across the entire hard drive surface, the computer will slow down a lot while it tries to pick up some bits of data from here, some from there, etc. By the way, SSD drives don't need to be defragmented; they don't have moving mechanical parts.


Some laptops are sold with only 4 GB of RAM, and sometimes even less than that. It's a pity, because Microsoft Windows starts to feel snappy on computers that have 8 GB of RAM or more. So, use Windows' device manager to find out how much random-access memory do you have, and then invest in more RAM – if needed.


It's time to uninstall those space-hogging applications, which have been using a lot of hard drive space without providing real value. I am talking about those huge games you've never played, those huge movies you've never watched, and so on. While you are here, it makes a lot of sense to get rid of temporary Internet files, old installation kits, etc.


Replace your antivirus. Yes, it may have served you well all these years, but it may have slowed down your laptop as well. Websites such as AV Comparatives run antivirus performance tests regularly, and I guarantee that you will be able to find one that won't slow down your aged portable computer.


Get rid of those fancy visual effects; they may look nice, but they are useless, wasting precious CPU and memory resources. Access Windows' "Performance Options", and then choose to "Adjust for best performance"; you should see an instant performance boost.


Reduce the number of programs and tasks that are run when your computer boots up. Press and hold Control + Alt + Delete to display the "Task Manager" application, and then click its "Startup" tab; you will see a list with the names of the apps that are loaded as soon as Windows is started, as well as their startup impact. Examine them all, and then delete all the ones that shouldn't run on their own every time.


Always keep the operating system, drivers and applications up to date. By doing this, you will improve the security of your computer as well. Microsoft Windows and Office can take care of themselves, but you may need to find out on your own if the other apps and drivers have gotten new updates, by visiting their manufacturers' websites.


Sometimes the problem is caused by corrupted OS files. If this is the case, or if a nasty virus has taken control over your computer, it may be best to reinstall the operating system. The good news is that Windows has its own "Recovery" mode, which can replace the damaged files automatically, while preserving all your important data and applications. Don't forget to back up all the essential information before attempting to restore your laptop's OS to an earlier stage, of course.