If you’ve spent enough time working or playing on a Windows PC, you’ve probably experienced the sting of booting up a computer and finding something isn’t quite right. The computer starts very slowly. Apps take an eternity to load. The files open at a glacial speed. A third-party tune-up utility was once a required tool for resolving PC performance difficulties. Microsoft now includes various capable system-enhancing utilities with the Windows 10 operating system.
Windows 10 Configuration
When compared to Windows 8 and 7, Windows 10 is a better operating system to use. Nonetheless, you must ensure that your PC operates at maximum efficiency. The built-in features in Windows 10 allow you to defragment your hard drives (but not solid-state drives), erase temporary and duplicate files, and manage the apps that start up when your computer boots up. As a result, Your computer will start up faster and perform more smoothly.
Unfortunately, Windows 10 lacks a centralized tune-up tool; instead, they’re distributed throughout the operating system. The lack of a large Tune-Up My PC button that begins all the wheels rolling is a major flaw in Windows 10. Still, if you’re willing to dig for them (don’t worry, we’ll teach you how), the tools are all there.
Note: Using tune-up utilities to adjust Windows 10 isn’t recommended because those programs mess with the registry. In Redmond’s opinion, this is a no-no.
Third-Party Tune-Up Apps vs. Windows 10
One clear asset of third-party tune-up applications is their ability to perform several system actions from a single user-friendly interface—often with only one mouse click. Iolo System Mechanic, for example, allows you to start the system-cleaning procedure with a single click. Iolo System Mechanic and many other tune-up apps employ a one-click tune-up button in Windows 10 to instantly clean up your PC.
Furthermore, tune-up utilities frequently incorporate additional software that adds value to the purchase. Some come with file shredders that erase your undesired data permanently, while there are many of free and paid file shredders that do the same thing. Antivirus suites, program uninstallers, and driver updaters are all available as independent software from Ashampoo, AVG, and other companies. File deletion apps are available in Windows 10, although they are concealed from view. Third-party tune-up utilities, once again, have the advantage of centralizing everything.
However, unlike many third-party tune-up apps that charge a one-time price, Windows 10’s tools are free (and, depending on the app, demand a monthly subscription). The tune-up tools in Windows 10 are appealing apps since they’re free and highly capable.
Instead of third-party programs, we recommend utilizing Windows 10’s. This is due to two factors. The first is that after activating Windows 10’s tune-up tools, we no longer had slow PC performance. It’s a completely hands-off experience. The second argument has to do with computer security. Our testbeds were never affected by Windows 10’s tools, although we did have boot troubles with third-party tune-up software. Naturally, your results may differ.
Here’s How to Clean Up Windows 10 Right Now
You may not need to download a tune-up program if you don’t mind investigating Windows’ various PC-improvement options on your own. If you’re familiar with Windows 10, you’ll know just where to look. If you’re new to Windows 10, the recommendations below will get you started on the road to a healthy PC. Have fun cleaning.
Start the Disk Defragmenter program.
Data on a hard drive disk (HDD) spreads over the storage device over time, lengthening load times. As a result, defragging your PC’s hard drive disk—the process of bringing those data bits closer together—is critical. Fortunately, Windows 10 includes a program that makes this simple.
By typing “defrag” into the taskbar search box and selecting Defragment and Optimize Drives, you may open Windows 10’s disk defrag tool. Select the drive (or drives!) you want to defrag and click Analyze once that window is open. The application then examines your PC’s hard drive for fragmentation and displays the percentage. Then, to begin the repair procedure, click Optimize.
Click the Change Settings button in the window if you want to defrag your PC’s hard drive on a regular basis. This allows your PC to run the drive optimizer automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
A solid-state drive does not require defragmentation (SSD). In fact, Windows 10 doesn’t allow you to defragment or evaluate those storage disks. Windows 10 optimizes SSDs to the point where it ensures that deleted data is erased to free up space.
Turn on Storage Sense.
Storage Sense is a function that is disabled by default, but you should enable it right now if you want to maintain your Windows 10 machine in top form. When your PC’s storage space is low, Storage Sense deletes irrelevant things like objects in the Recycle Bin and temporary files. As a result, you may set it and forget it.
By typing “storage” into the Windows 10 taskbar search box and selecting the System Settings > Storage result that appears, you can discover the option. You can even choose how often Windows 10 runs Storage Sense by going to the Storage home page and selecting the Change How We Free Up Space Automatically option. It discovers more rubbish than the Windows Disk Cleanup option, which is now regarded a legacy product, in our experience.
Additionally, on the Storage home screen, click the Free Up Space Now option if you wish to dump those files right away.
Management When Apps Launch With Job Supervisor
The simplified Task Manager in Windows 10 allows you control the apps that open at startup by typing the app’s name into the desktop search engine or hitting Ctrl-Shift-Esc. Select the Startup tab in Task Manager, click an app, and then click Disable. As nearly every app will want to launch when you push the power button, this is one of the most effective ways to reduce your PC’s boot time. Don’t worry; even if you block a virtual private network from starting up at startup, you can still use it later.
We propose classifying Startup programs by system impact and deactivating those labelled as High (unless you use them regularly enough to justify the wait). On the other hand, cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive should be started automatically to keep your information synchronised.
Additionally, you should run System Configuration to ensure that the objects you’ve disabled aren’t starting up. Some apps, for example, contain an auto-updater or another component that runs in the background after your computer starts up. Click the Services tab and uncheck non-system items from apps you don’t use after opening System Configuration by typing its name into the desktop taskbar.
Run Anti-Malware Software program
The installation of potentially unwanted applications, or PUPs, is one of the risks of visiting a shady website or downloading freeware. Although some malware apps are not obviously malicious, they can have a detrimental influence on your PC’s speed and be extremely difficult to remove. In such instances, you should download Malwarebytes Free, an app that digs deep and fixes difficulties caused by malware that slipped past your antivirus program.
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