You are looking for lab-tested, expert reviews of the latest Windows versions? PCMag.As PC hardware continues Upgrade from speed up, so does software, and the | PCMaghow to 12 tips to speed up windows 10 windows 11:Learn how Upgrade frommake your Windows 10 and 11 PCs run faster without compromising their appearance or functionality.

As PC hardware continues Upgrade from speed up, so does software, and the Windows operating system is no exception. This holds especially true for startup times. There are many performance considerations Upgrade frombe aware of once you have your system up and running. Windows XP isn't perfect and can experience slowdownsWindows 10 Upgrade from Windows 11 yet. This article will show you how to speed Windows up regardless of whether it's version 10.

The problem with a lot of articles that tell you how Upgrade fromspeed up Windows is that they tell you Upgrade fromturn off some of the operating system's more fun features, such as visual animations. Most of our tips show you ways Upgrade fromspeed up your Windows system without compromising its appearance and functionality. While most of our tips are free to use, some may require you to spend a bit more on hardware or software. If you have an older machine with low power and want to speed up your system, but you don't need extra goodies, there are a few tips you can use.

ads for registry cleaners, which often lead Upgrade frommalware. Microsoft has stated that they do not recommend registry cleanersdoes not support the use of registry cleaners Windows 10.

Something that is recommended is Upgrade fromkeep your OS version up Upgrade fromdate, though we didn't list this as a tip because everyone should be doing it regardless. Periodically head Upgrade fromSettings > Windows Update Upgrade fromsee whether there are any security and reliability updates you should install. Because it may include driver updates, your PC will run more quickly after the update. You can do it regardless of whether you want to update a large feature.

Cleanup utilities Windows 10 This category of software may help speed up your computer but isn't as common as once. Although these programs can increase your computer's performance, they are often only marginally effective. There are plenty of malicious downloads out there claiming Upgrade fromspeed up your PC, so be sure Upgrade fromstick with a product that has been tested and vetted. Iolo System Mechanic This is an excellent option.

PCMag found that a Lenovo PC tested by us had almost 20 programs called "helper" programs, which would sometimes interrupt our work. Microsoft has not been immune to this problem.

It includes a few games in its computers, and you might not want them. This will instantly uninstall the app. Right-click the Windows logo Start button to select the Top Choice Programs and Features. Or just type Programs in the search box next Upgrade fromthe Start button.

This will allow you to find potential culprits of crapware. Other good options are Upgrade fromsort by Recent Upgrade fromsee if there are any programs you didn't know you installed; or by Size, Upgrade fromget rid of very large items you don't need. Select junk applications you do not want and then click Uninstall. You can only delete one junk app at a given time. If you are dealing with bloatware, you will need to set aside at least half an hour for the project.

Don't forget Upgrade fromtake the hatchet Upgrade fromapps you installed yourself but no longer want—and Upgrade fromsoftware you don't want that was installed alongside software you do want.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 and 11 have two kinds of applications: traditional desktop apps and modern Microsoft Store (formerly called Windows StoreYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel apps. You'll see both kinds in the modern Settings app's Apps & Features page. Control Panel is available for non-Store applications. You can search for an app or sort them alphabetically by date, size or name.

Many programs are slow to start and eat up precious RAM. While you're in the Programs and Features section of Control, you can also click Turn Windows Features On or Off and scan the list Upgrade fromsee if there's anything you don't use. For more help on what Upgrade fromremove, read How Upgrade fromRid a PC of Crapware.

Many programs run side-by processes every time your computer starts. Compared with Windows 7, where you had Upgrade fromrun the MSCONFIG utility, newer versions of Windows give you an easier way Upgrade fromlimit what runs at startup from the updated Task Manager.

The easiest way Upgrade from invoke the Task Manager is by pressing Ctrl-Shift-Esc. Switch Upgrade from the Startup tab, and you'll see all the programs that load at Windows startup. You can even see the Startup impact of each program in the dialog box. The Status column shows whether the program is enabled Upgrade from run at startup or not. You can right-click on any entry Upgrade fromchange this status. It's usually fairly easy Upgrade from see things you don't want Upgrade from run. You don't necessarily need iTunesHelper running if iTunes is not used frequently.

From the Start menu, type Disk Cleanup Upgrade from open the trusty utility that's been part of Windows for several generations of the OS. Disk Cleanup finds unwanted junk such as temporary files, offline Web pages, and installer files on your PC and offers Upgrade from delete them all at once. You may even find that your Recycle Bin is bulging at the seams—generally, that only has a noticeable effect on speed if your drive is close Upgrade from full.

If you don't have disk defragmentation scheduled regularly, set that up in the Optimize Drives tool, which you can find by typing its name in the search box next Upgrade from the Start button. You don't need to defragment if you have an SSD main drive.

An even newer way Upgrade from keep storage use is by enabling the Storage Sense option (see image above you can also go back to the older-style Control Panel. This automatically clears space by eliminating temporary files and Recycle Bin items. For a full rundown on how Upgrade fromuse this feature, see How Upgrade fromFree Up Hard Disk Space on Windows.

Windows 10 and 11 both manage memory better than older versions, although more memory may increase PC performance. This article will help you to determine if you are still using a desktop towerhow Upgrade fromadd RAM. There are many product finders on the major RAM manufacturers' websites (Crucial Kingston and CorsairYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel. For less than $50, 8GB DDR4 RAM can be purchased.

If your computer has low RAM and a hard drive (see belowYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel, or you don't have enough RAM, ReadyBoost could work for you. It caches data on the portable storage device's storage Upgrade fromspeed up memory access that would be slower with a spinning hard drive. Just go Upgrade fromthe USB key's File Explorer entry, right-click Upgrade fromopen Properties, and switch Upgrade fromthe ReadyBoost tab Upgrade fromget going. This feature is not available on most modern systems and will not provide a performance boost.

Adding RAM isn't always an option, however, so not everyone will be able Upgrade fromuse this tip. Some Windows devices today, like theSurface Pro It's impossible. Although laptops for gaming and business often allow you to upgrade RAM, it's getting less common. New ultrabooks and convertibles have fixed memory.

This allows for easier installation and use of demanding programs such as Adobe Photoshop An SSD speeds up the process of installing and running demanding applications like. Windows startup is also significantly improved by an SSD. Apps from the Microsoft Store can easily be moved from a spinning hard drive Upgrade froman SSD in Settings' Apps and Features page.

For system speedup, it makes sense Upgrade fromreplace your internal startup hard drive, and if you use a laptop, this may also be an option. An external SSD connected via USB 3.0 can give speed improvements to applications with large storage. For help in choosing which device Upgrade frominstall, check out PCMag's list of the best SSDs.

You can run the built-in Windows Defender or a third-party app Upgrade fromdo this, but you're best served by PCMag's lead security analyst Neil Rubenking's top pick among malware-cleanup programs. Don't forget Upgrade fromuse ongoing anti-malware protection, too. Some AV products are more efficient than others in terms of system performance. Check out his full roundup best antivirus software for full details. If you're reluctant Upgrade frompay for antimalware software, try MalwareBytes Free.

If you want Upgrade fromsave electricity, changing the power setting on your PC Upgrade fromhigh performance isn't ideal, but it could boost computing speed. Head Upgrade fromthe Settings app's System > Power & Sleep option and then click the Additional Power Settings link. From here, click the dropdown arrow on the right side Upgrade fromShow Additional Plans and then choose High Performance.

On Windows 11, you can select Better Performance or Best Performance in Settings > System > Power & battery, as shown in the screenshot above. There's no need Upgrade fromselect Show Additional Plans as in Windows 10.

Click the Start button, and then search for troubleshooting. Windows recommends troubleshooting utilities you should run, and you can choose Upgrade fromrun them automatically or manually. You can also run Hardware and Devices and Windows Store Apps to check for problems. (If your PC is very old and slow, you may want Upgrade fromdisable Search Indexing altogether, as mentioned in tip 11.You can also go back to the older-style Control Panel

Also go Upgrade fromthe old-style Control Panel. On either OS version, click the Start button and type Control Panel Upgrade fromstart it. Go Upgrade fromthe System > Security > Security and Maintenance page (or just type maintenance in the Start menu search boxYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel, click Maintenance, and hit Start Maintenance. You can set it to run on a daily basis, or you can adjust the frequency.

Fresh start You should be aware that this option may cause some programs to be removed. However, your personal files will not be affected.

Changing the appearance of the performance options may speed up an older computer. You can easily get Upgrade fromthis setting in either Windows 10 or Windows 11 by typing adjust appearance in the Start menu's search box.

Simply type adjust appearance into the search box in Windows' Start menu. You'll be unable to see any visual effects if you select the Overall Best-Performance button. For example, you won't see the contents of a window while you're dragging it Upgrade frommove it, but rather just a rectangle representing the window's edges. Keeping the effects that you enjoy checked in the dialog is probably a better way Upgrade fromgo. You can also get Upgrade fromthis tool from the Settings app and searching for Search indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCsmaintenanceSearch indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCs or Search indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCsperformance.Search indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCs

. If you do a lot of searching, this won't appeal Upgrade fromyou, as some searches will be slower.

To turn off indexing, open the Indexing Options Control Panel window (you can also just type index in the Start button search box Upgrade fromsee Indexing Options at the top of the result listYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel. You can click Modify to uncheck the locations that you do not want indexed. You'll probably have Upgrade fromun-collapse the folders under your user folder Upgrade frommake sensible choices. Advanced allows you to choose which file types you want indexed.

. Right-click This PC on the desktop (or type Computer in the Search boxYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel, and choose Manage. (You may want Upgrade fromdisplay the This PC icon by going inUpgrade fromSettings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings.You can also go back to the older-style Control Panel Double-click Services or Applications and then select Services.

Find Windows Search and click on it. From this Properties dialog, you can choose a Startup type of Manual or Disabled Upgrade fromhave the process silent by default. The Automatic (Delayed StartYou can also go back to the older-style Control Panel startup type according Upgrade fromMicrosoft help, Search indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCsis preferred over the Automatic startup type because it helps reduce the effect on the system's overall boot performance.Search indexing, even if it is temporary, can cause system resource consumption, especially for less-power PCs This option can be enabled by default.

A final option is Upgrade fromgo Upgrade fromthe right-hand panel, click More options, and then Stop. The stop button can be pressed above the middle section. Don't forget Upgrade fromturn it back on at some point if you want Upgrade frombe able Upgrade fromsearch your system.

It may seem odd for a tips article Upgrade fromtell you Upgrade fromturn off Windows' Tips feature, but it can reduce processing that Windows does Upgrade fromdisplay relevant tips for your system. This is also true for notifications. If Windows doesn't need Upgrade fromgenerate a notification, your computing will go faster. There are over 40 apps capable of sending notification.

Simply open the Settings app's Notifications page Upgrade fromchange the notification settings. You can simply turn all notifications off with a switch at the top but you'll also see a list of individual apps that can send notifications; uncheck those you don't want Upgrade fromhear from. If you have a lot of these, too, go through the list and you're bound Upgrade fromfind sources from which you have no need Upgrade frombe notified. Distraction savings can increase your computer's speed, even if it is only by improving your perception of its speed. An easy way Upgrade frompause notifications is Upgrade fromtap the Focus Assist button in the Action Center. It also makes it easier Upgrade fromre-enable them later.