Optimizing a laptop’s performance is expected when you have had a device for a while. However, it is no secret that some people do not bother with it simply because they are content with having an underperforming computer.
If you are not someone like that and want a laptop that will run smoothly, you should create a proper maintenance strategy and work on it.
As soon as your laptop starts to experience issues, you may encounter various problems. For example, it might take too long for the computer to load after a restart, or a disk you inserted was not readable, preventing you from transferring files from the computer to an external HDD and vice-versa.
So, the question is, what are some of the best options to focus on when you are looking to optimize a laptop? Let’s take a look at some ideas that your maintenance strategy should revolve around.
1. Investing in Accessories
For starters, consider your budget and whether you can invest some money in accessories. A cooling pad should be one of the priorities as far as laptop accessories go. You probably have a device that is overheating, and the internal fans are making loud noises. A source of cool air could come in handy.
Next, you have a cleaning tool kit. There are products that you can use to wipe the screen, clean dust, and remove particles from inside the keyboard, such as food.
An external hard drive or a USB flash stick is also worth considering. It may be that the laptop’s drive does not have enough free storage, and transferring some files to external storage should help with that a lot.
2. Prioritizing Updates
As a rule of thumb, you should look to prioritize updates that are related to your computer. The operating system is one of the aspects that stand out the most. Having the latest OS version means benefitting from overall performance improvements, security upgrades, and the latest features.
The software you are using on a laptop should also run on the latest version. Otherwise, you might have to deal with incompatibility or slow performance of the software that you use.
True, some updates might take a while to apply after you download them, but keep in mind that not running the latest version could be precisely the reason behind issues you are having on the laptop.
3. Checking for Malware Attacks
Even if you have been relatively careful about using your laptop to avoid potential cybersecurity threats, do not discard the possibility that a virus or malware has infected the device.
Some cybersecurity threats are difficult to spot despite using reliable antivirus software, especially if you leave the anti-malware tool running in the background. It is important to run custom disk scans so that the antivirus software can properly scan the files on your computer.
Pro tip: Do not rely just on antivirus software. Incorporate other good habits of avoiding cybersecurity threats. Use a virtual private network, install an ad blocker extension for an internet browser, and avoid shady URLs, to name a few.
4. Taking Care of Desktop Clutter
Many computer owners like to keep documents and other file shortcuts on the desktop. Having access to important files one mouse-click away is great for efficiency. However, you might reach a point when there is too much desktop clutter, and sorting through all the files becomes too difficult.
In addition, too many desktop shortcuts will affect the laptop’s speed. You might notice how slow a computer runs if you put too many icons on the desktop. And while restarting the laptop might help, it is only a temporary solution because it will not take too long for the sluggish performance to return.
It may be a bit difficult to get used to keeping documents and other files away from the desktop, but you should do it for the sake of your laptop’s performance.
5. Managing System Resources
The last bit of advice is to keep a closer eye on computer resources. You want to manage background processes and software that you use actively in a way that does not affect the laptop too much.
For one, regularly check the number of background apps and close ones you no longer need. Also, if there are visual effects enabled, get rid of them to free up system resources.
In case you notice that a particular application is consuming too much memory, consider looking for an alternative that is not as demanding. For example, you may find that internet browsers or antivirus software you rely on right now might have better, friendlier alternatives to your laptop.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are multiple ways to effectively improve your laptop’s performance. Whether you are planning to sell it or continue using the device for yourself, it is necessary to ensure that the device is up to par and is not running into performance problems.