![]() Do a little online research, if needed, to determine what each component does. Review each entry to confirm you need it there. Review what’s getting started automatically in Task Manager’s Startup tab.For each program, determine if you need that service, and check the corresponding program’s options for a “Start with Windows” type of setting you can turn off. Each of these represents at least one running program or a Windows status of some sort. Review the icons shown on the right-hand side of the taskbar on your Windows desktop.Ultimately, it depends on the software you use and the way you use it. ![]() The problem is that everyone’s needs are different. It’s unfortunately vague, but that’s the way it is. And to be completely honest, not everything that runs automatically contributes to performance issues, though there’s no list of the ones that do, either. There’s no canonical list of the things you can remove from startup. There’s no checklist for what you do and don’t need. Unfortunately, that means that they’re typically always running, stealing resources from the programs you do want. Many programs install components that start automatically when you start Windows, whether you want them or not. Start by reviewing How Do I Remove PUPs, Foistware, Drive-bys, Toolbars, and Other Annoying Things I Never Wanted? It’s a good first step to removing software you didn’t ask for and don’t want that may affect your machine’s performance. It’s not at all uncommon to encounter a machine whose browsers are loaded with unwanted toolbars and a taskbar filled with icons for unrecognized and unwanted pieces of… well, I’ll call them “software”, though other words could be used. In recent years, the amount of software installed surreptitiously when you install something else has exploded. It’s the software that’s running on your machine that can slow it down.Īnd software seems to accumulate over time, making your machine seem slower and slower. Running software uses RAM, uses your CPU, and can use disk and network resources as well. Installed software just takes up space on your hard disk. Reduce running programsīy far the biggest reason machines slow down is there’s too much software running. If hardware upgrades aren’t possible or don’t speed things up enough, it’s time to look at software. (This holds true with a traditional hard disk, since they, too, can fail catastrophically and without warning.) Nonetheless, I strongly suggest that you plan for failure anyway and back up regularly. There used to be a concern about SSD lifespan, but they now typically outlast the useful life of the machine they’re in. Make any final adjustments, such as adjusting partition sizes.Restore the image backup of your hard disk to the SSD.Physically replace the hard disk with the SSD.Create an image backup of your hard disk.The process for switching to a SSD is the same as replacing your hard drive with another. Write speeds vary, so the gains aren’t as dramatic, but for reading data, SSDs are significantly and noticeably faster. ![]() SSDs improve system speed simply by being faster to read. If you have a traditional HDD, replacing it with an SSD can have a dramatic impact. While they generally don’t reach the same capacity as their spinning-platter brethren, they typically have more than enough space to act as a replacement drive for most machines. SSDs, or Solid State Drives, have become affordable. My rule of thumb is to start with at least twice as much as the minimum requirements state, and ideally as much as your machine can handle. If you want a system that works well, you want more RAM. The published minimums are just that: the bare minimum for a functioning system. If your machine only meets the minimum requirements for the version of Windows you’re running, then you probably don’t have enough RAM. ![]() Practically speaking, it’s very difficult to have too much. RAM is cheap, and if your machine can take more, it can be the fastest way to speed up a computer - even one that is poorly configured (which we’ll address in a moment). Uninstall any software you’re not using.Reduce the number of auto-start entries. ![]()
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