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Too Many Startup Programs

Whenever you install new programs, they usually ask to be added to your startup. This isn’t usually a problem if you have a SSD, plenty of RAM, and a multi-core processor. If you lack any of these three components, your could be stuck waiting forever for your old laptop to boot.

Plus, if you have a bunch of programs running in the background, it can take away resources from your browser, music player, and etc. This is an easy fix, thankfully. If you’re running Windows 10, continue reading; if you don’t, go upgrade as soon as possible!

In Windows 10, you simply right-click the taskbar at the bottom, choose ‘task manager’, and navigate to the ‘start up’ tab. Here you will find a list of all the programs that have permission to start when the computer boots. If you see any programs you know you don’t use often, uncheck them.

You won’t be deleting these programs, just leaving them on the shelf for when you actually need them. With a SSD, starting these programs on-demand is fast anyways.

If you own a Mac or older version of Windows, follow this guide here.

Uninstall Problem Apps

It’s possible that taking apps off of startup may not be enough to rid your slow laptop from the handicap. Some programs are really aggressive and invasive, essentially like a piece of malware (more on that below). To fix this problem, you will need to uninstall any unused or unwanted apps.

You can simply type ‘uninstall programs’ in Cortana or navigate to your settings/control panel to find ‘Add/Remove Programs’ options. You’re free to uninstall any program that isn’t under Microsoft Windows Updates or driver packages. If something is unfamiliar, you can always search for the program name in Google to see if it is important or not.

Check for Malware

The number one reason computers slow down unexpectedly is due to malware or viruses. Malware usually hides under the guise of legitimate software, such as an anti-virus or PC maintenance program. You won’t know you’re infected by a piece of malware or virus unless you have a reputable scanner.

Microsoft’s built-in protection is actually pretty great on Windows 10. If you want something more, you can go for Norton Antivirus and Malwarebite’s Malware defense. Check this guide for a list of all the best antivirus protection software.

Check for Dustbunnies

Laptops are notorious dust-magnets. These low-profile machines are constantly pushing air through tiny vents and oversensitive electronics. No matter how clean you keep your place, over the years, you will eventually accumulate enough dust to affect performance.

As dust clings to your internals, it raises the temperatures, which will make your laptop work harder. To combat this, you can do dusting every few months with a can of compressed air. This is most effective when the dust is fairly light.

It’s possible that you may need to have your laptop opened for a thorough cleaning that a simple spray in the vents can’t do.

Old Laptop, Smart Internet

Just because your laptop is old, doesn’t mean you have to toss it because it doesn’t play 1080p video smoothly. They still make great internet browsing stations on the side. Just make sure you’re using a lightweight browser like Brave, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.

You noticed I left out Chrome? Well, Chrome is arguably the best browser for many reasons, but being light on resources is not one. It is designed for power users and can eat a lot of RAM.

Last, but not least, it is very possible that your “old laptop” may not even be the cause of the slowdown. It could just be your internet! You might be paying for high speeds, but if your connection is intermittent enough, pages might not be loading completely and feel sluggish as images pop in or links don’t load quickly.

Learn how to speed up your internet, if you’ve already covered all our tips above.