A lot of people have abandoned their desktop computers to switch to the more versatile laptop. But don’t make the mistake of treating it like a desktop PC – that would decrease its efficiency. There are certain things needed to keep it in good shape. Take a look at the following tips to help your laptop improve its performance.
Read also: How Long Do Laptops Last? Tips to Maximize Lifespan
How to Improve Laptop Performance:
1. De-load your hard drive
Simply put, the more data you have in your hard drive, the more prone it is to slowing down and crashing, so it’s important to free it up. Remove all files you don’t use regularly, like videos, pictures, music or games. For things you don’t want to permanently delete, save them in an external hard drive instead of keeping them in your laptop.
2. Empty the Recycle Bin habitually
All the junk you delete just settles in the Recycle Bin and takes up space, so be sure to empty it.
3. Erase temp files regularly
Temp files or temporary internet files are automatically saved into your hard drive every time you open a website. That’s more unnecessary junk that hampers performance, so be sure to clear the cache routinely.
4. Uninstall all unused or unnecessary programs
It’s likely your laptop was already loaded with various trial software and shareware when you bought it. All those things occupy space, and you can certainly do away with them. Be sure to uninstall them properly; simply deleting them won’t do. Avoid downloading things you don’t need, like fancy toolbars and previously installed applications.
5. Reduce start-up programs and other applications running in the background
Some programs activate as soon as you start up, like Skype or Quicktime. They use up memory and slow things down, and you don’t need them running each time you switch on your laptop. It isn’t necessary to uninstall them, but just disable them from launching at start-up using the System Configuration utility. Also, open only the programs you will use. You don’t really need media players or instant messengers constantly activated.
Read also: 4 Laptop Caring Tips to Keep Your Laptop Healthy
6. Defrag your laptop regularly
Regular defragging releases the hard drive to work more efficiently, as it organizes data to be more accessible. To improve laptop performance, schedule this at least once every other week.
7. Clean the registry
Through use, clutter accumulates in the computer registry. Without regular maintenance, registry errors can corrupt files and slow down your laptop. It will definitely benefit you to scan the registry with a good Registry Cleaner.
8. Have an effective antivirus and anti-spyware/adware program
Set it to run automatically at least once a week.
9. When in use, keep it cool
A laptop needs to keep well-ventilated, since overheating leads to slower performance and frequent crashing. With this in mind, always use your laptop on a hard surface. Operating it on a soft surface (like your bed) will block the vents and trap the hot air. Get a small laptop table, or just use a hard board.
10. When not in use, shut it down
This rests your laptop and helps to prevent overheating. Be sure it has shut down completely before packing it in your bag. A laptop left on inside the bag accumulates heat, putting its components in danger of melting and corruption. Remember to disconnect all accessories.
11. Maintain the air vents and fan
Inspect and clean the vents habitually, and make sure the fan is functioning properly. Check routinely with a computer technician.
Read also: How to Properly Clean Your Gadgets
13. Adjust the power settings
Set the monitor and hard disk to turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. This helps prevent overheating and prolongs the battery.
14. Take good care of the battery
As a rule of thumb, don’t keep the battery plugged into an electrical outlet when not in use. Leaving it plugged-in overcharges it and shortens its life span. Other specific care tips depend on the type of battery you have, so charge and/or drain as prescribed in the user manual.
Read also: How To Take Care Of Your Laptop Battery
15. Invest in more memory
Upgrading the RAM will boost speed and improve laptop performance significantly. It will especially be useful for multimedia applications or serious gaming.
Read also: How To Upgrade Your Laptop for less than $150
Even when it comes to electronics, prevention is better than cure. Doing these things will not only maintain your laptop’s condition, but also maximize its utility.
Good tips. Laptops are getting much more convenient, faster, and more powerful all the time. I still like my desktop though. One thing I don’t recommend is taking your laptop apart unless you really know what you are doing. I had one with some problems a few years back. I took the thing apart I mean completely and it’s not an easy task. Turns out my hard drive died, but I thought something was wrong with the cpu or fan as it wasn’t making any noise. I got it all put back together, but I did have a few extra screws I never did figure out where they go. After installing a new hard drive it works.
I still have my desktop with me too but I don’t use it anymore, it’s just there collecting dust.
The last time I disassembled my latop was to upgrade its’ RAM. Luckily I did not have the extra screws issue, I was very careful with it. But yea, I wouldn’t suggest anyone to take their laptop apart unless they are absolutely sure what they are doing.
“The last time I disassembled my latop was to upgrade its’ RAM” – I’m planning to upgrade mine too, hope to see some vids on how to do the RAM upgrading Peter. Just hoping 🙂
I wish I have the time to do one of those videos Nhick. We’ll see…
It also depends on what model laptop you have.
Some are extremely easy. Like my HP DV6. If I look closely on the bottom I can see icons showing me what is where. I turn my laptop off, taking out the plug and battery. Then I just unscrew the part where it shows my ram is. (making sure I am not static!) putting the screws on a flat service, preferably on top of a clean white sheet so I can clearly see them. Then just pull out the ram, making sure I look closely at how it was in there. Then get the new ram and put it in opposite to how I took out the old ram.
put the cover back. Put the screws back, making sure I don’t leave anything out. And then it’s done.
First time I did this, my laptop didn’t start. the power light was showing me an error.
Then I opened the laptop again and pushed my ram in a little further till it did “Click” and after that it worked perfectly fine.
Great tips Peter!
The only reason I can think of that someone would want to have a desktop pc is for gaming. But I use my ps3 for that so no reason to have a desktop pc at all.
I installed new window 2 times this month 🙁 have just did it yesterday 😀
Too slow, i dont know why, with new window, it still run with 100%CPU.
I decided to run Kis 2012, thanks god kis deleted all virus and could not open any apps, any files.
I’m considering to format all disk and install new wins.
And do all your tips in this post.
Hope will be fine
Thnks for the tips
You are welcome Trung!
I know more RAM can improve performance, but is it possible to replace it easily in a laptop? I know you can do it (and I have in the past) with a desktop PC, but would you advice taking your laptop apart Peter?
I agree with the rest of the tips. Keep the software running smooth, and hope the hardware can cope! If not upgrade – that’s my advice.
Yea I agree with you on that. Unless you’re very confident, taking your laptop apart is not a very good idea for most laptop users. I would suggest to bring the laptop to a technician instead.
By the way, congratulations on winning the first runner-up at the guest blogging contest Christopher 😉
Thanks Peter, well done on your post, it is a shame you didn’t get a prize 🙁
It’s okay. I had fun 🙂
Very good information I own a laptop and one thing that you can do is setup the recycle bin so it disposes of everything instead of goign to the recycle bin and staying there.
You need to be real carefull when you are unistalling something one time I was cleaning my computer and I didn’t pay attention to what I was doing and I deleted programs that my computer needed.
Thanks for adding that and sharing your thoughts Oscar! Hope to see you around!
Great tips Peter, thanks for sharing it with us 🙂 ! According to me, we must really in the memory of our laptops so as to make it work better !
Awesome Tips Peter. I will consider your all points but not yet because currently i am using Desktop not Laptop . . . 🙂
I will highly recomend to all use CCleaner for better improvent. Hope you are agree with me.
Really your mentioned all points and very essential to improve laptop performance.
Thanks for sharing this article.
Yes I agree, CCleaner is a great tool! So when are you going to change to using laptop?
By the way, congratulations on winning the guest blogging contest Amit! 😉
Thanks Peter. Hope i can buy Laptop by earning money from my blog. 😉
Hope google will accept my Adsense Application ; ).
Thanks
You’re welcome Amit! May all your wishes come true 🙂
I almost at the point where I am going to throw this thing out the window. I am going to try some of these tips, and see if where I get. I hope these will work so it will save me the frustration and hopefully some money. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…
I believe running disk clean up and disk defragmentation atleast once in a month is a must for laptops.
I believe it is so too Kunal.
This is true that laptops and ipads are more prevelent in this era and more faster easier and mobility but could not come at the place of a pc.These tips are awesome to go with this will make pc more faster.Thanks for the tips.
Didn’t see you for so long Junaid, where have you been? Anyway, I’m glad you stopped by!
Hi.
Good tips man, and many of them. Most of them are actually pretty good for desktop computers as well.
When we talk about laptops I feel like the biggest difference with desktop computers is that we need to clean the laptop much more. I have not cleaned my PC for few years and it is fine. All temperatures are low, lower than a perfectly clean laptop. But the laptop is very different. It has so little space inside and when it fills with dust (which happens very fast) the temperature goes up like crazy and everything starts to crash and lag. Just recently on a forum a user was experiencing this thing and he said the laptop was clean, so the problem is not from the dust. At the end it turned out it was form the dust. It seems that new appeared very fast. It is something to always keep in mind.
And by the way if I just may add about the apps that start with windows, like Skype, antiviruses and all kind of other ones, a way to open System Configuration utility is with windows key + R, type msconfig, hit Enter, then go to Startup and uncheck the ones you do not want.
Regards.
Reminds me of my old desktop. I can’t remember when was the last time I cleaned it, but I know it’s long 😛 You are right, a desktop doesn’t need to be cleaned often and can still work well. Not the case with a laptop though. Thanks for the tip at the end of your comment Nikolay, I really appreciate it. Hope to see you around 🙂
I also have a laptop and the biggest problem I’ve had is with the battery. Those things never seem to last long enough, it doesn’t take long for the battery life to get to just a fraction of its usual length.
Someone needs to create a really good battery that can last for a much longer length of time 😛
I like your blog btw, as you might have noticed from the amount of comments I’m making on your site 😀
Yes I noticed Jake. Glad you like my blog. Hope you will keep visiting. Thanks.