7 Ways To Make Windows 10 Faster and Improve Performance

If your Windows 10 PC is feeling sluggish, you’re not alone. Over time, even good machines start to slow down. The good news? You don’t need to buy new hardware to get a noticeable boost. With a few tweaks, you can make Windows 10 run faster and more efficiently.

Here are 7 proven ways to speed up your Windows 10 PC:

1. Disable Startup Programs

Too many apps launching at startup can choke your system. Here’s how to fix it:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Click the Startup tab.
• Right-click and disable unnecessary programs.

Focus on apps you don’t use daily—messaging apps, updaters, or background utilities.

2. Uninstall Bloatware and Unused Apps

Pre-installed apps and unused software take up system resources.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features
• Sort by size or install date
• Uninstall anything you don’t recognize or no longer use

Less clutter = more speed.

3. Turn Off Visual Effects

Fancy animations can slow down your system, especially on older PCs.

• Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter
• Under the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance
• Choose Adjust for best performance, or manually disable animations you don’t need

It’s not as pretty, but it’s definitely snappier.

4. Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Temporary files, system logs, and junk accumulate fast.

• Open Settings > System > Storage
• Use Storage Sense to automatically clean temporary files
• Or run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) to manually remove clutter

Also, consider moving large files to external storage.

5. Check for Malware

Malware can tank performance. Even if you’re careful, it’s worth scanning regularly.

• Run Windows Defender or a trusted third-party antivirus
• Schedule weekly scans
• Keep your security software updated

Prevention is faster than cleanup.

6. Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated software can cause slowdowns and compatibility issues.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security
• Check for Windows updates
• Use Device Manager to update drivers (especially graphics, network, and chipset drivers)

Updated systems run smoother—period.

7. Upgrade to an SSD (If You Haven’t Already)

If your PC still runs on a traditional hard drive, upgrading to a solid-state drive is the biggest speed boost you’ll see.

• Boot times shrink from minutes to seconds
• Apps load instantly
• Overall responsiveness skyrockets

Yes, it’s a hardware change—but it’s often cheaper than replacing your whole PC.

Final Tip: Restart Often

Don’t let your PC run for weeks without a reboot. Restarting clears memory leaks and resets stuck processes.

Wrapping Up

You don’t have to live with a slow computer. Try these tips—start with the easy ones—and you’ll notice a difference. Regular maintenance can keep your system running fast for years to come.

Have your own favorite speed-up trick? Drop it in the comments below.