5 Simple Steps to Boost your PC Performance

As Australians increasingly rely on technology for work, study, and entertainment, a sluggish computer can seriously impact your daily productivity. If you’re not quite ready to purchase a new desktop and your current device is struggling to keep up with your tasks, this guide is for you. Whilst all computers tend to slow down over time, that doesn’t mean you need to replace yours just yet. Here are five effective steps to improve your PC’s performance without spending too much.

Step 1: Clean and Organise your Hard Drive

One of the most effective ways to improve your PC’s efficiency is by maintaining a clean and organised hard drive. Here’s what you should focus on:

Remove Temporary Files and Junk

Your applications and operating system generate temporary files to store information provisionally. Whilst these files are essential for short-term operations, they can accumulate over time and occupy valuable space on your PC, reducing available memory and slowing down performance.

Fortunately, Windows includes built-in tools to remove these files. Use the “Disk Cleanup” utility, which you can find by searching in the taskbar. Select the drive you want to clean, and the system will scan and suggest files for deletion. Choose which files to remove and confirm to free up space on your PC.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Defragmentation is crucial for maintaining good PC performance. When files are fragmented, the hard drive takes longer to access them because they’re scattered across different sections of the disk. Defragmentation rearranges these files to reduce the distance between them and improve efficiency. To defragment a drive in Windows, search for “Defragment and Optimise Drives” in your taskbar, select the drive you want to optimise, and click “Optimise.”

Step 2: Uninstall Unnecessary Programs

Just as you wouldn’t run a race carrying unnecessary weight, your PC shouldn’t be burdened with unused programs. Here’s how to remove that dead weight and improve your computer’s efficiency:

Identify Unused Software

Removing unnecessary programs can significantly improve your PC’s performance. Review your installed applications list and consider when you last used each one. Programs you haven’t opened in months or don’t recognise are good candidates for uninstallation.

For Australians juggling multiple software applications for different tasks, it’s especially important to manage startup programs effectively. Here’s how to control which applications launch at startup:

1. Select the Start button

2. Select Settings

3. Select Apps from the left sidebar

4. Select Startup at the bottom of the Apps window

5. Toggle applications On or Off based on whether you want them to launch at startup

Safely Uninstall Programs

Once you’ve identified which programs to remove, uninstall them safely using Windows Control Panel:

1. Open Control Panel through the taskbar or Start menu

2. Select “Programs and Features”

3. Select the program to uninstall and click “Uninstall”

4. Follow the on-screen instructions

5. Restart your computer to ensure changes are permanently saved

Step 3: Optimise System Startup

Beyond managing startup programs, take these additional steps to optimise system startup:

• Disable Fast Startup: Whilst this Windows feature helps your computer start faster after shutdown, it can cause system stability issues and update problems. Disable it through Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do

• Adjust Boot Menu Timeout: Reduce the boot menu display time by pressing Windows + R, typing msconfig, and adjusting the timeout value

• Check for Malware: Malware can slow down your PC, including startup times. Perform a complete system scan using antivirus software

Step 4: Update Software and Drivers

Keeping your software and drivers updated ensures optimal performance and security. Here’s how to maintain your system:

Keep your Operating System Updated

Regular system updates improve performance and protect against security vulnerabilities. These updates often include patches that can optimise system functionality and enhance software compatibility, ensuring your computer works efficiently with the latest applications.

To check for and perform Windows updates, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. Click Check for Updates to see if any updates are available.

Update your Drivers

Drivers are essential for your computer’s hardware, facilitating communication between the operating system and physical devices. Outdated drivers can cause performance issues, errors, and system failures.

To update your drivers through Windows Device Manager:

1. Type “Device Manager” in the taskbar search box and select the matching application

2. Inside Device Manager, you’ll see a list of all installed hardware components

3. Right-click on the device you want to update and select Update driver

4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” to let Windows find and install the latest version

Step 5: Upgrade RAM and Storage

For Australians looking to extend their PC’s life without investing in a new system, considering hardware upgrades can be cost-effective. Here are some upgrades to consider:

Add More RAM

Adding RAM can significantly impact overall performance, especially if you use resource-intensive programs or keep multiple applications open simultaneously. Additional RAM allows the system to handle more data at once and reduces the need to use the slower hard drive for temporary storage.

For example, the HP Desktop M01-F3000a comes with 8GB memory, which can be upgraded based on your needs. Before adding more RAM, verify compatibility with your system, including:

• RAM type supported (such as DDR4)

• Maximum capacity supported by your motherboard

• Available slots for additional RAM modules

Consider an SSD Upgrade

Switching from a traditional hard drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) can dramatically improve system boot times and application loading speeds. SSDs are faster than HDDs because they have no moving parts and can access data instantly. They’re also more resistant to physical shock and typically consume less power.

When installing an SSD, ensure compatibility with your computer. Most use either SATA or NVMe interfaces for newer models, but confirm with your computer’s manual. Clone your current HDD to the new SSD using specific software like Macrium Reflect or similar tools to copy your operating system, applications, and files without reinstallation.

Conclusion

Improving your PC’s performance can help you work more efficiently and productively in today’s digital environment. By following these five simple steps, from cleaning your hard drive to upgrading your RAM, you can extend your computer’s life and boost its productivity. Regular maintenance is key to preventing future problems.

For those considering a new system, HP offers a range of powerful desktops like the HP All-in-One 24-cr0009a and the HP Desktop M01-F3000a that come optimised for performance right out of the box. Visit our HP Desktop Family page to explore more options suited to your needs.

Remember to perform regular maintenance and optimisation to keep your PC running smoothly and efficiently for years to come.