How to make your pc/laptop run faster (3 simple steps)

For the vast majority of freelancers, the computer is the main work tool. As such, it is elementary that it works well. A work tool that does not do its duty can become tedious and very frustrating, in addition to wasting our time. In particular, it gives me a lot of bad humor that things do not work as expected.
Most of the following tips are for laptops or notebooks running Windows , but there are several that may also apply to Mac users. Those who use Linux or other operating systems are probably already clear on how to improve the performance of their computer.

Place the computer in a cool, ventilated space
Although all equipment has its own ventilation system, it is advisable to "help" it to be at the correct temperature by avoiding placing it near the heating or exposed to the sun. Too high a temperature will cause it to run slowly and even damage components.

Keep the hard drive with free space
In general terms, for any Windows computer it is recommended that the hard disk have at least 10% to 15% free space.

To free up space, in addition to removing unused files or software, a good idea is to remove temporary files and keep your hard drive "tidy." For this, Windows tools such as Degrafmenter and Disk Cleanup are of great help (both found in Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools).

Use an antivirus
Malicious software will often make the computer run slower than it should, as other resource-consuming processes are running behind us while we are working. It is also a huge risk for the information we handle, so it is vital to keep the antivirus updated and allow it to analyze everything with a certain frequency.

Disable visual effects
Each new version of Windows, taking advantage of the greater processing power of computers, has added a more attractive visual interface with a series of effects. If your computer is a few years old and its capacity is just enough to run the latest Windows, it may be a good idea to disable these effects. After all, how fast it works is more important than how it looks.

To disable visual effects in Windows 7 go to Computer> right click> Properties> Performance information and tools (it is at the bottom left). Once there, on the left menu there will be an option called "Adjust visual effects." That will open a window from which we can activate or deactivate, one by one, all the visual effects that Windows offers. The ideal is to carry out tests.

Make fewer programs run when Windows starts
This helps make the Windows startup process (when you turn on the computer) much faster. To do this, open "Run" (windows key + R) and type "msconfig" (without the quotes). Go to the "Windows Start" tab and uncheck those programs that are not vital to the operating system. To find out what they are, a good idea is to check the "Command" column. Those programs that are in C: Windows are usually the essential ones, while there should be no problem with disabling the rest (avoid disabling the antivirus). If in doubt, consult an expert.

Turn off the computer
There are those who leave the computer on for several days in a row. In the long run, this could lead to some complications as there is a possibility that the equipment will accumulate dirt and overheat. In addition, for Windows in particular it is vital that every so often it is shut down or at least restarted the computer so that it cleans all the temporary files that it generates with use.

Install Windows again

Every so often it will be inevitable to have to do a "clean slate"; completely removing everything on the computer and installing a fresh Windows from scratch. This is because the operating system "accumulates" a lot of information that it then stops using but continues to consume resources. It varies with how each one uses their computer, but this is recommended every one and a half or two years. This, clearly, as long as you don't want to change computers yet.