I remember when my old Windows 10 laptop started feeling old. Apps took a lot of time to open, and just switching tabs made it groan. Turns out, millions of people are in the same issue; even as Windows 11 pushes forward, Windows 10 runs on over 1 billion PCs worldwide and holds about 36% market share as of early 2026. Official support ended in October 2025, but with paid updates available. Looking for a fix? Here are the simple tweaks that worked wonders for me and countless others. Here are 25 working tips to make your Windows 10 PC feel fresh again.
Basics Tweaks
These are basic tweaks you can start with on your PC to speed it up a bit.
Tip 1: Restart every few days. Sleep mode lets junk pile up in memory. A full restart clears it out, often shaving seconds off everything. My boot time dropped from 45 seconds to 25 after making it a regular activity.
Tip 2: Check for updates. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Install everything, including optional driver updates. Graphics drivers alone fixed laggy video playback on my rig.
Power settings matter too.
Tip 3: Use High Performance mode. Search “Power Plan” in the Start menu, and switch from Balanced to High Performance (plug in first for laptops). CPU throttles less, apps run snappier.
Tip 4: Enable Fast Startup. In Power Options > Choose what power buttons do, check “Turn on fast startup.” It combines shutdown with hibernation for quicker boots; mine went from 40 to 15 seconds.
Modify Startup and Background Noise
Nothing kills speed like 20 apps launching at boot.
Tip 5: Kill startup programs. Ctrl+Shift+Esc > Startup tab. Right-click and disable chat apps, cloud sync (unless needed), and updaters. Boot time improved 30% for me.
Visually rich content always slows the PC down.
Tip 6: Dial back animations. Search “Performance Options” > Adjust for best performance, or pick “Custom” and keep font smoothing. Windows looks a bit plainer but flies.
Tip 7: Run Disk Cleanup. Search for it, select C: drive, and check Temporary files and Thumbnails. I freed 8 GB on a 256 GB drive huge difference.
Tip 8: Ditch unused apps. Settings > Apps. Sort by size, and uninstall bloat like preloaded games or toolbars. Less clutter means less background drain.
Free Up Space and Fight Fragmentation
Tip 9: Enable Storage Sense. Settings > System > Storage > On. It auto-clears temp files and old downloads. Set it to run weekly effortless maintenance.
HDD users,
Tip 10: Defragment regularly. Search “Defragment,” select your drive, and optimize. Skip SSDs; it does nothing good there.
Tip 11: Empty Recycle Bin and Downloads. Right-click both folders > Empty/Delete old stuff. Quick 2-5GB gain every time.
Browser and Security Cleanup
Browsers are always power hungry. Modern browsers are eating the RAM like never before.
Tip 12: Clear cache weekly. In Edge or Chrome Settings > Privacy > Clear data (cache/cookies). Pages load faster, and RAM frees up.
Tip 13: Scan for malware. Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Full scan. Follow with free Malwarebytes. Clean systems run cooler.
Tip 14: Switch browsers if needed. Chrome? Try Edge built-in efficiency mode cuts RAM use by 30% on my tests.
System Tweaks
Tip 15: Disable notifications. Settings > System > Notifications > Off for email/chat apps. Fewer interruptions keep focus sharp.
Tip 16: Turn off Windows Search indexing. Services.msc (Run dialog) > Windows Search > Stop > Disabled. File searches slow a tad, but everything else speeds up.
Tip 17: Stop Superfetch (SysMain). Same Services window > SysMain > Disabled. Frees RAM on older PCs.
Tip 18: Set virtual memory manually. System Properties > Advanced > Performance > Virtual Memory > Custom (1.5x your RAM). Stabilizes low-RAM systems.
Tip 19: Enable Game Mode. Settings > Gaming > On. Prioritizes foreground apps, handy for light gaming or video editing.
Hardware Upgrade
Tip 20: Upgrade to SSD. If on HDD, this is the #1 suggestion to speed up your PC.
Tip 21: Add RAM. 8 GB? Get 16 GB. Cheap and easy; multitasking will handle easily.
Tip 22: Clean internals. Compressed air on fans/heatsinks drops temps 15°C, ends thermal throttling.
Tip 23: Update BIOS. From the motherboard site, it improves stability. Be careful; follow guides.
Tip 24: Run system repairs. Admin Command Prompt: sfc /scannow then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. It fixes hidden file corruption.
Tip 25: Reset Windows. Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC (keep files). Like a fresh install without data loss, the ultimate refresh.
There you have it: 25 tips from my own trial and error. My Windows 10 system now boots in 12 seconds, multitasks smoothly, and feels years younger. Pick 5-10 to start, measure with Task Manager, and build from there.
FAQ
1. Is Windows 10 still safe after support ended?
Yes, with Extended Security Updates (ESU) available through 2028. Core tips here apply regardless.
2. Does disabling startup programs hurt anything?
No, just boot speed improves. Re-enable if you need an app right away.
3. SSD vs. more RAM which first?
SSD for biggest impact if on HDD. RAM next if under 8GB.
4. Can these tips slow my PC down?
Rarely, if you disable something essential. Test one change at a time.
5. Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
If hardware supports it, yes for new features. Otherwise, these tweaks keep Windows 10 solid.