Windows performance can degrade over time due to accumulating junk files, unnecessary startup programs, outdated drivers, and misconfigured system settings. Whether you’re a beginner looking to make your PC run smoother or an advanced user seeking granular tweaks, optimizing your Windows system is a must for both productivity and longevity. This article provides ten actionable ways to configure and boost your Windows performance. Each tip includes step-by-step instructions, with sections labeled for beginners and advanced users. Glary Utilities will be highlighted where its features provide efficient solutions.
1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
For Beginners:
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Go to the Startup tab.
Right-click on any non-essential programs (such as instant messengers, music players) and select Disable.
Restart your computer to review performance improvements.
For Advanced Users:
Use Glary Utilities’ Startup Manager for a more comprehensive view.
Launch Glary Utilities, go to the Startup Manager under the Optimize & Improve tab.
Disable or delay startup items and review scheduled tasks for hidden auto-start entries.
2. Clean Up Junk Files and Optimize Storage
For Beginners:
Open Settings > System > Storage.
Turn on Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files.
Manually clear Recycle Bin and Downloads folder as needed.
For Advanced Users:
Launch Glary Utilities and use the Disk Cleaner and Tracks Eraser tools.
Schedule regular cleaning tasks to remove system junk, browser cache, and leftover files from uninstalled programs.
Use Disk Analyzer to identify and delete large or duplicate files.
3. Update Drivers and Windows Components
For Beginners:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all updates.
Use Device Manager to check for hardware driver updates.
For Advanced Users:
Use Glary Utilities’ Driver Manager to identify outdated or malfunctioning drivers and update them efficiently.
Backup drivers before updating to prevent compatibility issues.
4. Optimize Visual Effects for Performance
For Beginners:
Right-click This PC and select Properties.
Click Advanced system settings > Performance Settings.
Choose Adjust for best performance or manually uncheck unnecessary visual effects.
For Advanced Users:
Use the Custom option to enable only the visual effects that improve usability (like smooth edges of screen fonts).
Apply changes and monitor system responsiveness.
5. Defragment and Optimize Hard Drives
For Beginners:
Search for Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start menu.
Select your hard drive and click Optimize.
For Advanced Users:
Use Glary Utilities’ Disk Defrag tool, which provides deeper analysis and scheduled defragmentation for traditional HDDs.
Solid State Drives (SSDs) should not be defragmented, but can benefit from the TRIM command. Glary Utilities recognizes drive type and applies the correct optimization automatically.
6. Manage Background Apps and Services
For Beginners:
Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
Turn off apps you do not want running in the background.
For Advanced Users:
Press Win + R, type msconfig, and review the Services tab.
Disable non-essential third-party services.
Use Glary Utilities Process Manager to identify resource-heavy background processes and stop unwanted tasks.
7. Perform System Registry Cleanup
For Beginners:
Avoid manual registry edits. Instead, use Glary Utilities’ 1-Click Maintenance, which safely scans and repairs registry errors.
For Advanced Users:
Access the Registry Cleaner tool in Glary Utilities for granular control over what is scanned and cleaned.
Back up registry before making changes.
8. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
For Beginners:
Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Uninstall programs you no longer use.
For Advanced Users:
Use Glary Utilities’ Uninstall Manager to remove stubborn or hidden programs.
This tool also scans for leftover files and registry entries after uninstallation.
9. Adjust Power Settings
For Beginners:
Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Select High performance or Balanced, depending on your usage needs.
For Advanced Users:
Create a custom power plan with advanced settings for processor state, hard disk sleep time, and USB selective suspend.
Use Glary Utilities’ Power Optimization tools for additional tweaks.
10. Monitor and Manage System Resources
For Beginners:
Use Task Manager to view CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
End tasks that are consuming excessive resources.
For Advanced Users:
Leverage Glary Utilities’ Performance Monitor widget to display real-time stats and alerts.
Set up automated alerts for high resource usage events and use built-in tools to investigate and resolve bottlenecks.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting or are an advanced user, these ten methods provide a comprehensive approach to optimizing Windows performance. Glary Utilities stands out as a powerful suite that combines many of these tasks in a user-friendly interface—making it easy to maintain and enhance your system’s speed and stability. Regular maintenance with these tips will ensure your Windows system remains fast, reliable, and capable of handling even demanding workflows.