How To Enhance Computer Performance | What Works First

A slow PC speeds up fastest with a combination of software cleanup, system updates, and targeted hardware upgrades — no single fix works for every machine.

Sitting down at a PC that takes two minutes to boot and stutters through every tab switch is draining. Learning how to enhance computer performance the right way means starting with software — updates, cleanup, and startup management — then moving to hardware upgrades only when those aren’t enough. This article walks through each step in the order that saves you the most time first.

What Software Fixes Improve a Slow Computer First?

The fastest performance gains come from cleaning up what’s already on your PC — and they cost nothing. Most slow machines have at least one of these fixable problems: an outdated operating system, hidden malware, a nearly full drive, apps launching at boot unnecessarily, or a power setting that throttles the processor.

Update Windows and Install Optional Driver Updates

Microsoft puts Windows updates at the top of its performance guidance — they patch slowdowns, close security holes, and can fix hardware-specific issues through optional driver updates.

Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. After installation, open Advanced options > Optional updates and review available driver updates for your graphics chipset, network adapter, and storage controller. Dell also recommends using SupportAssist for driver and BIOS updates — open it from Start, choose the Update software tab, and follow the prompts, restarting if asked.

Run a Malware Scan and Free Up Disk Space

Malware scans and disk cleanup free up the system resources that slow a PC down the most — and both are built into Windows at no cost.

Open Windows Security from Start, select Virus & threat protection, and click Quick scan. For a deeper check, use Full scan — it takes longer but finds infections that hide deeper in the system.

Then tackle storage. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense so Windows deletes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin automatically. For a manual cleanup, search Disk Cleanup from Start, select your main drive, review the file list, and click OK then Delete Files. After that, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find apps you no longer use, click the More options (…) menu, and choose Uninstall. Avoid removing software your organization requires if this is a work machine.

Disable Startup Apps and Switch to Best Performance Mode

Disabling startup apps and switching to Best performance mode are two of the fastest ways to reclaim speed — each takes under a minute.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click the Startup apps tab. Right-click any app you don’t need at boot and choose Disable — focus on those with a High or Medium startup impact rating first.

Then adjust the power plan. Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery, and select Best performance from the Power mode dropdown. This prevents Windows from throttling the CPU while you’re plugged in.

Enhance Computer Performance With RAM and SSD Upgrades

RAM and SSD upgrades are the hardware changes that deliver the most noticeable speed gain after software fixes are exhausted.

Both HP and Kingston identify these as the upgrades that deliver the most noticeable gain. Switching from a hard drive to an SSD cuts boot times from over a minute to under twenty seconds and makes apps open instantly. Adding RAM — say, from 8GB to 16GB — lets you keep more programs open without the system slowing to a crawl. For laptops that can’t add internal storage, a portable external SSD connected via USB 3.0 provides a meaningful speed boost for files and light app use.

How To Enhance Computer Performance — Choosing What To Do First

The order matters. Start with the free software fixes — updates, malware scan, storage cleanup, startup management, performance power mode. Run through that list, and a majority of slow PCs improve noticeably without spending anything. When the machine is still sluggish afterward, the bottleneck is hardware — focus on the SSD or RAM upgrade that matches your system’s specific limitation.

• First: Install Windows and driver updates, run a malware scan, clear disk space, uninstall unused apps, and disable unnecessary startup items. Set power mode to Best performance.
• If still slow: Replace the boot drive with an SSD if your system still uses a hard drive. Add RAM if memory usage consistently hits 90% or higher.
• If both fixes still leave you waiting: The PC’s core hardware — likely a CPU that’s five or more years old — has reached its practical limit, and a full system upgrade is the honest next step.