Rephrase and rearrange the whole content into a news article. I want you to respond only in language English. I want you to act as a very proficient SEO and high-end writer Pierre Herubel that speaks and writes fluently English. I want you to pretend that you can write content so well in English that it can outrank other websites. Make sure there is zero plagiarism.: Are you tired of staring at your computer screen, waiting for programs to open or files to load? A slow-running computer can be a major frustration, affecting everything from work productivity to your evening Netflix binge.Speeding up your computer is easier than you think. So, before you consider throwing your sluggish computer out of the window, read our practical, easy-to-follow steps that’ll breathe new life into your computer. From simple cleanups to little-known tweaks, we’ll cover all the bases to get you back to speed in no time. Whether you’re a Windows, Mac, Chrome, or Linux user, you’ll find top tips that don’t require any financial outlay or advanced technical know-how.Step-by-step guide for how to speed up your computerAlthough these steps and screenshots are primarily focused on Windows utilities, we have included instructions, where possible, for other operating systems, including macOS, Chromebook, and Linux.By following these steps, you can maintain a clean, efficient, and secure computing environment, enhancing performance and usability regardless of your OS. 1. Ensure your operating system is up to date (Image: © Future) Make sure that you’re always running the most up-to-date version of your operating system. This not only ensures optimal performance, but also protects you against security threats and provides access to the latest features and improvements.WindowsYou can ensure your Windows OS is up to date by navigating to Settings and Windows Update and clicking the Check for updates button. If updates are available, click Download and install. MacOSIf you are a macOS user, go to System Settings, General, then Software Update to check for available updates. If there’s an update, click Update Now to install the latest version.LinuxYou can update your system via the terminal using the command sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade. If you’re using a Linux distro, there should also be a software updater application installed.ChromeOSFor ChromeOS, go to Settings and About Chrome OS and select Check for updates. If there’s an update, it will automatically download and prompt for a restart. 2. Remove programs you’re no longer using (Image: © Future) You can speed up your computer by removing installed programs you no longer need, including junkware.Junkware is unwanted software that comes pre-installed on a new computer or is inadvertently installed on a computer as part of a software bundle. It can include trial versions of programs, unnecessary applications provided by the manufacturer, toolbars, and other utilities you don’t need. Removing unnecessary programs increases storage space and improves performance, and it’s easy to do on all operating systems.WindowsGo to Settings, Apps, then Installed Apps to see a list of all your programs. Select the apps you don’t want, click the three buttons to the right, and select Uninstall.MacOSDrag unwanted applications from the Applications folder to the Trash, then empty the Trash.LinuxUse the command sudo apt remove [package_name] in the terminal. If you are using a Linux distro, like Ubuntu, you should be able to uninstall programs via an application in settings. In Ubuntu, you can do this via the Ubuntu Software application, where you can locate your program and click Uninstall.ChromeOSGo to Settings, Apps, and Manage your apps. You can then select the program you wish to remove and click Uninstall. 3. Limit startup processes (Image: © Future) Limiting startup processes is an effective way to improve your computer’s performance because the system has fewer tasks to execute before it becomes usable. Startup processes consume system resources such as CPU, memory (RAM), and disk usage. By having fewer applications running in the background, more of these resources are available for the tasks you actively want to perform.Having applications that you rarely use kick into life as soon as you turn your PC on, isn’t a good use of your computer’s resources. For example, when I checked my startup processes, I found that Skype was set to activate on startup. I almost never use Skype, so it made sense to disable this feature.Here’s how to check and change which of your apps are starting automatically.WindowsAccess Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Start-up apps tab, and disable programs you don’t need immediately upon startup.MacOSGo to System Preferences, Users & Groups, then Login Items, and remove apps you don’t need to start automatically.LinuxIf you’re using a Linux distro like Ubuntu, find the Startup Applications preferences and deselect programs you don’t need at launch. ChromeOSChromeOS does not allow startup processes in the same manner, as it’s designed to be lightweight and fast, so this shouldn’t be an issue for Chromebook users. However, you can select the ‘Restore apps on startup’ option, which will remember the programs and tabs you had open in your last session. Disabling this option will improve your computer’s speed when starting. 4. Use Windows Disk Cleanup (Image: © Future) Windows OS users can take advantage of the Disk Cleanup built-in utility, which helps you free up disk space. The tool scans your system for files that can be safely deleted without impacting functionality.Search for Disk Cleanup in the start menu, select the drive you want to clean, and click OK. You can choose which types of files to remove. Options include temporary files that are no longer needed, system files that are no longer in use, files in the Recycle Bin, thumbnails, icons, and cache files. Choose the file types to delete and click OK to free up space.You can also use the Storage Sense utility, which automates the cleanup process, regularly scanning and removing unneeded files. To do this, go to Settings > System > Storage, and toggle on Storage Sense. You can adjust the settings to suit your preferences.In addition to Storage Sense, the Storage page has the option to run Cleanup recommendations. This provides tailored suggestions for removing unused files and apps to free up space.MacOS, Linux, and ChromeOS do not have Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense equivalents, but you can manually delete unnecessary files or use third-party tools to help clean up your system. 5. Check for viruses and spyware (Image: © Future) Viruses, spyware, and other malicious software can significantly slow down your computer by consuming resources and causing instability. Regular scans with antivirus software can help identify and remove these threats, protecting your system’s integrity and performance.WindowsTo run a full scan, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, and select Quick scan.MacOSMacOS doesn’t come with a virus scan feature like Windows. However, all Macs have several built-in security features to protect your system from malware and viruses. These include macOS’s built-in antivirus software, XProtect, and its Malware Removal Tool. If you want to perform additional checks, you can download a third-party antivirus solution for extra protection.LinuxViruses and spyware targeting Linux are rare compared to other operating systems. ClamAV is a popular open-source antivirus engine for detecting trojans, viruses, malware, and other malicious threats. It’s available in the Ubuntu repositories.ChromeOSIt is nearly impossible for Chromebooks to get viruses because you can’t install new programs on them, so there isn’t a way for the viruses to get onto your computer. However, Chromebook users can occasionally have issues with malware. To avoid this, download applications from the Google Play Store only and avoid third-party sites. 6. Change power mode to Best Performance (Image: © Future) Some operating systems offer various power modes that balance performance and energy consumption. Setting your computer to ‘Best Performance’ mode can unlock additional processing power at the expense of higher energy use.WindowsYou can enhance your computer’s performance by going to Settings > System > Power & battery, and switching Power mode to Best performance. However, this improvement in performance comes with inevitable trade-offs like increased power consumption and reduced battery life.MacOSFor Intel-based Macs, the ‘Turbo Boost Switcher’ app can help manage performance settings. Otherwise, adjust energy saver settings for optimal performance.LinuxUse commands like top and xrandr in the terminal to manage power settings and performance. You can adjust settings like screen brightness in the settings of your Linux distro.ChromeOSPower management options are limited, but ensure screen brightness and unnecessary apps are…
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