I remember the time I used an old Windows PC it seemed really slow to me.
I would click on something. Then I would wait for it to open.
Sometimes I would even click again because I thought it did not work the time.
Then a few seconds would go by. The Windows program would finally open up.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Lots of people think that if their computer is slow they need to get an one.
That is not always the case with Windows PCs.
Sometimes the problem is that there are many programs running when you start up your Windows PC.
Maybe your hard drive is almost full.
Maybe you have not updated your software in a while.
Maybe you just have too many tabs open, on your browser.
It could be that you have not done the basic things to take care of your Windows PC.I have learned that a few small changes can make an older computer feel more comfortable to use.
Here are 15 practical Windows tips that beginners can try.
1. Restart Your PC of Leaving It On Forever
This sounds almost too simple but restarting Windows can solve surprisingly many temporary problems.
If your computer has become slow after hours or days of use restart it.
A restart can clear temporary system activity. Give Windows a fresh start.
For example if Chrome is freezing File Explorer is responding slowly. An application refuses to open try restarting before searching for complicated solutions.
It takes a minute or two. Costs nothing. 2. Stop Unnecessary Programs From Starting With Windows
My old computer takes a time to start up. I think this is because many programs are trying to start at the same time as Windows.
When Windows starts a lot of programs try to launch. Some of these programs are useful. Windows and my computer need them to work properly. Others are not useful. Just slow down my computer.
To see what programs are starting with Windows I need to open the Task Manager. I do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Then I look for the Startup apps section.
In this section I see a lot of programs that I do not use often. These include messaging apps, launchers, update assistants, cloud-storage tools and other programs.
If I do not need a program to start up away I can usually turn off its startup feature. However I have to be careful.
I should not turn off any Windows system components or hardware-related software if I am not sure what they do. Windows and my computer need these programs to work correctly. I do not want to make any mistakes and cause problems, with my computer. 3. Keep Some Free Space on Your Drive
A computer does not like living with a completely full storage drive.
If your C: drive is almost full, Windows may have less room for temporary files, updates, caches, and other system operations.
Open File Explorer and check your storage.
If the drive is nearly full, remove things you genuinely do not need.
Start with obvious items:
Old downloads.
Duplicate videos.
Unused installers.
Temporary files.
Programs you no longer use.
Large files that you have already backed up.
One mistake beginners often make is deleting random folders from the Windows directory.
Don’t do that.
Free up space safely rather than experimenting with system files. 4. Uninstall Programs You Never Use
My computer is like a storage room.
I get a program to do one thing.
Then I forget I even have it.
After a while I have a lot of programs I never use.
I should go through all the programs on my computer. Uninstall the ones I do not need anymore.
This will not make my old hard drive fast like a new solid state drive but it will make my computer a little better.
I will have clutter and it will be easier to find what I need.
And there is another thing, about uninstalling programs I never use: I will have fewer programs running in the background that I do not want.
Uninstalling Programs You Never Use is an idea because it helps my computer and it helps me.
I will have Programs You Never Use on my computer. 5. If You Have a Hard Drive Consider a Solid State Drive
This is one of the improvements you can make to an old computer.
It can make a difference.
A Hard Drive uses spinning disks with magnets.
A Solid State Drive uses memory. Does not have any moving parts.
The difference is really big.
An old computer with an amount of memory and a Hard Drive can take a long time to start up.
It can be very slow when you are starting Windows.
If you replace the Hard Drive with a Solid State Drive Windows will start up quicker and things will feel much faster.
This is very useful for desktop computers and laptops.
For someone who just uses their computer for things like looking at websites working on documents taking online classes watching YouTube and doing basic work a Solid State Drive can make an old computer feel like a new one.
A Solid State Drive can make a difference, in how your computer works.
You can use your computer for all the simple things you need to do and it will feel like you have a new computer.
This is because a Solid State Drive makes your computer start up faster and makes everything feel faster.
So if you have a Hard Drive you should think about getting a Solid State Drive. 6. Do Not Automatically Blame The RAM
People often say:
“My computer is slow. I need RAM.”
Sometimes they are right.
Sometimes they are not right.
If your computer has 4GB of RAM and you regularly run a browser with tabs, video editing software, games and other applications all at the same time then more RAM can certainly help your computer.
If your computer is slow because Windows is running from an old mechanical hard drive then adding more RAM alone may not solve the main problem with your computer.
You should think about the system of your computer.
The RAM, the storage, the processor, the graphics, the Windows configuration and your workload all matter when it comes to the RAM and the speed of your computer. 7. Cut Down On The Number Of Browser Tabs
I was really surprised to see how memory my browser was using.
Modern browsers use a lot of memory.
If I have thirty or forty browser tabs open because I do not want to lose them my computer gets really slow.
So I try to bookmark the pages I want to look at
Then I close the browser tabs I do not need anymore.
My browser also has a feature that makes inactive browser tabs sleep or become less active.
This is really helpful on computers that do not have a lot of memory.
Browser tabs are a problem for computers, with limited memory.
So I think it is an idea to close browser tabs when I am not using them.
It is a thing to do and it can save my computers resources without me having to buy anything new.
I just need to get into the habit of closing browser tabs when I am done with them. 8. Use Windows Storage Cleanup Tools
Windows has tools that can help get rid of files.
Look for Disk Cleanup in Windows. Use the storage settings that come with your version of Windows.
You might see files, stored data, old files, from updates and other things that are not needed anymore.
Check the categories before you delete anything.
The aim is not to throw everything.
The aim is to get rid of unneeded mess. 9.Keep Windows and Important Drivers Updated
Updates are not, about adding new features.
They can also include security improvements, bug fixes, compatibility changes and performance improvements.
Keep Windows updated when it is possible.
Also make sure important hardware drivers are working properly.
If your Wi-Fi suddenly stops working your graphics display behaves strangely or audio disappears a driver problem may be the cause.
Avoid downloading drivers from random websites.
Whenever it is possible use Windows Update or the official website of your PC or hardware manufacturer. 10. Be Careful With “PC Cleaner” Programs
This is a mistake many beginners make.
They see an advertisement saying:
“Your PC has 2,347 errors!”
Then they download a mysterious cleaner.
Suddenly, the software wants money to fix everything.
Be skeptical.
Not every “PC optimizer” is useful, and some may create more problems than they solve.
You do not need five different cleaning applications running in the background.
Windows already provides several maintenance and storage tools.
For basic maintenance, simple is usually better. 11. Protect Your Computer From Bad Programs
A computer that works fast is not really useful if it has programs on it.
Your computer can get these programs if you are not careful.
Be careful when you get software from websites you do not know.
Do not open email attachments that look strange.
Try not to use programs that people have copied illegally and programs that have been changed in a way.
A lot of people who’re new, to computers make a mistake when they get a free program from a website they found by searching.
They think the website is okay just because it showed up first in the search results.
This is not an idea.
Before you put software on your computer check where it came from.
Use security software that you trust and make sure it is updated.
Your Windows computer also has some built-in security features that can help keep you safe from programs. 12. Turn Off Apps That Are Running in the Background When You Don’t Need Them
Some apps keep working even when you are not using them.
Cloud synchronization, launchers, messaging apps, update tools and other programs can use CPU, memory, network speed or battery power.
Look at which apps are running in the background.
If something is not needed, try closing it or changing how it works.
This can make a difference on low-end computers.
For example someone, with a computer that has 4GB of RAM might see a change just by having fewer apps running at the same time. 13. Learn Some Basic Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
You do not have to remember a lot of shortcuts.
Start with a few Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Windows keyboard shortcuts, like Windows + E will open File Explorer.
Windows. I will open Settings on your computer.
If you want to switch between applications you can use Alt + Tab.
To open Task Manager you can use Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
When you need to lock your computer you can use Windows + L.
If you want to copy something you can use Ctrl + C.
Then you can paste it using Ctrl + V.
If you make a mistake you can use Ctrl + Z to undo your action.
These Windows keyboard shortcuts may seem like a thing but they can really save you a lot of time.
After you use these Windows keyboard shortcuts for a weeks using them will become automatic and you will use Windows keyboard shortcuts all the time. 14. Don’t Keep Your Desktop Full of Everything
I have seen computers where the desktop looked like a storage warehouse.
Documents.
Videos.
Installers.
Folders.
Screenshots.
Random files.
The desktop is not a replacement for organized storage.
Create a simple folder structure.
For example:
Documents
Photos
Videos
Projects
Downloads
Important Files
Then move files into the appropriate folders.
A cleaner desktop makes it easier to find what you need. 15. Learn to Diagnose the Problem Before Fixing It
This is probably the useful thing to know when you use Windows.
When your computer gets slow do not immediately try to make it faster with some kind of “speed booster.”
You need to ask yourself what exactly is slow.
Does it take a time for Windows to start up?
Does one particular program freeze all the time?
Is your internet connection slow?
Does the whole computer freeze sometimes?
Does your computer get slow when you have a lot of tabs open?
Is the drive always busy?
Does your computer get really hot?
Different problems can have different causes.
The Task Manager can help you figure out what is going on.
You can open it by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and look at how much of your CPU, Memory, Disk and Network’re being used.
For example if your memory is always almost full when you are working maybe you need RAM.
If your old hard drive is always being used a lot maybe that is part of the problem.
If one program makes your CPU usage go up to 100% you should take a look at that program.
The idea is simple:
First you need to figure out what the problem is.
Then you can try to fix it.
A Small Story About a PC
Imagine someone in Pakistan who is using an old desktop computer to learn online.
The computer has 4GB of RAM and a regular hard drive.
It takes minutes for Windows to be ready to use.
The owner thinks the processor is bad and starts looking for a computer.
Instead of spending a lot of money right away they check the computer.
They find out that there are a lot of programs starting up when the computer turns on the hard drive is almost full there are programs they do not need. The hard drive is old.
They clean up the drive remove the programs that start up automatically and eventually replace the old hard drive with a new SSD.
The computer is still old.
It works much better now.
This kind of thing can happen to anyone, not people in Pakistan.
Someone in the UK, United States, Canada, India, Bangladesh or anywhere else can have the problem.
The technology may be different. The basic idea is the same:
Sometimes you do not need a new computer.
You just need to understand the computer you already have.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Should You Upgrade?
This is another question that a lot of people ask when they are just starting out.
The answer depends on your computers hardware.
Windows 11 needs hardware to work so an old computer might not be able to run it.
If your computer is running Windows 10 do not just assume that you should upgrade to Windows 11 even if it is not supported.
First you need to check your processor, RAM, hard drive security features and compatibility.
Remember that what operating systems are supported can change over time.
If you are using a computer you might need to think about upgrading the hardware getting a new computer or choosing a different operating system that works with your machine.
The Cheapest Upgrade Isn’t Always the Best Upgrade
Lets say you have $50 to spend on a computer.
Should you buy RAM?
Should you buy an SSD?
Should you replace something
There is no one answer that works for everyone.
If your computer does not have RAM and always runs out of memory maybe more RAM is the best upgrade.
If your computer has RAM but the hard drive is really slow an SSD might make a bigger difference.
If your processor is really old and you need to do things like edit videos or play games neither of these upgrades might be enough.
The smart thing to do is to figure out what the problem is first.
Three Habits That Can Keep Your PC Healthy
You do not need to be a computer expert.
Just do three things.
First make sure to back up your files.
Second be careful when you install software.
Third try to figure out what is wrong with your computer of just downloading programs that claim to fix everything.
These habits can save you from losing files getting malware spending money you do not need to and being really frustrated.
Final Thoughts
When your Windows computer is slow it can be really frustrating.
Do not immediately think that you need to buy a new computer.
Start with the basics.
Check what programs start up when you turn on your computer.
Clean up files you do not need.
Uninstall software you do not use.
Make sure you have free space on your hard drive.
Do not have many tabs open in your browser.
Check the Task Manager.
Keep Windows and your security tools up, to date.
If you are still using an old hard drive you should really think about getting an SSD.
The most valuable upgrade is not always a new piece of hardware.
It is knowledge.
Once you understand why your computer is slow you can stop guessing.
When you stop guessing you can start fixing problems.
That is when an old computer can become useful again.
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