Optimizing your Windows 10 network performance can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with networking concepts or system tweaks. However, with the right guidance, anyone can boost their network speed and reliability. This article will walk you through practical, step-by-step methods to improve your Windows 10 network performance, starting with simple actions for beginners and progressing to advanced tuning for power users. We’ll also show how Glary Utilities can make certain optimization tasks straightforward and efficient.
Why Does Network Performance Matter?
A fast and reliable network connection is crucial for streaming, gaming, downloads, cloud work, and more. Network slowdowns can result from misconfigured settings, outdated drivers, cluttered system files, or unnecessary background processes.
Beginner’s Guide: Quick Wins for Faster Networking
Check Your Hardware Connections
Make sure your Ethernet cables are secure and undamaged. If using Wi-Fi, ensure you’re within close range of your router and free from heavy interference (such as walls or microwaves).
Restart Your Devices
A simple restart of your PC, router, and modem can resolve many temporary glitches that slow down networking.
Update Windows and Network Drivers
– Press the Windows key, type “Check for updates”, and install any available Windows updates.
– For drivers: Right-click Start, select Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your network card, and select Update driver.
Limit Background Apps
Some apps might use network bandwidth in the background. To check and limit them:
– Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
– Turn off unnecessary background apps.
Clear Network Cache with Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities offers a one-click maintenance feature that helps clean temporary files, clear DNS cache, and optimize system settings. Here’s how:
– Open Glary Utilities.
– Click on “1-Click Maintenance”.
– Ensure “Temporary Files Cleaner” and “Tracks Eraser” are checked.
– Run the scan and apply fixes. This often resolves network cache issues that can slow down browsing and downloads.
Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
– Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
– Select Internet Connections, then run the troubleshooter.
Intermediate: Tuning Windows for Better Network Performance
Change DNS Servers
The default DNS provided by your ISP might be slow. Using faster, public DNS servers can speed up browsing and sometimes downloads.
– Right-click the network icon in the system tray > Open Network & Internet settings > Change adapter options.
– Right-click your network connection and select Properties.
– Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
– Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter:
Preferred: 8.8.8.8
Alternate: 8.8.4.4
(Google DNS), or try 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare).
Disable Large Send Offload and Other Advanced NIC Features
Some network interface card (NIC) features can impact certain networks negatively. To tweak these:
– Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, choose Properties.
– Go to the Advanced tab, find “Large Send Offload”, “TCP Checksum Offload”, and similar settings.
– Set these to Disabled (one at a time, testing after each).
Advanced: Power User Network Tuning
Tweak Windows TCP/IP Settings Using Command Prompt
Some advanced users may want to alter TCP parameters for high-speed networking.
– Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
– To view current settings:
netsh int tcp show global
– To enable TCP Window Auto-Tuning:
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal
– To disable TCP Chimney Offload (which may help on some systems):
netsh int tcp set global chimney=disabled
Always test your network speed after each change using speedtest.net or similar services.
Optimize Network Startup and Background Services with Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities lets you manage startup items and background services that may impact networking.
– Open Glary Utilities.
– Go to “Startup Manager” under the “Advanced Tools” tab.
– Review and disable unnecessary programs or scheduled tasks that use the network.
Monitor Real-Time Network Usage
For troubleshooting:
– Right-click the taskbar, select Task Manager, and go to the Performance tab. Here, you can observe real-time network usage.
– If you see high usage from unknown apps, consider scanning your computer for malware using Glary Utilities’ Malware Remover.
Tips for All Users
– Keep your PC and router firmware up to date.
– Avoid network congestion by scheduling large downloads during off-peak hours.
– Regularly run Glary Utilities maintenance to keep your system clean and optimized.
Conclusion
Optimizing network performance in Windows 10 doesn’t require advanced knowledge or risky tweaks. Start with the basics—hardware checks, updates, and background app control. For deeper gains, try changing DNS servers or adjusting advanced NIC settings. Glary Utilities is a powerful ally, providing one-click cleanup, startup management, and privacy protection, all of which contribute to a smoother, faster network experience. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, following these steps will help you enjoy a faster, more reliable connection on your Windows 10 PC.