As your computer gets older, you may notice a reduction in speed of your system performance. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as hardware degradation, software issues, and a lack of memory. As a result, your PC will no longer be as fast as it once was. However, there are a few things you can do to improve the longevity of your PC before purchasing a new one:

1. Ensure you have the latest update installed:

Regularly updating your software and systems will ensure that you receive the most recent security updates and new features to help optimise the performance of your device. Security updates help to fix and address any vulnerabilities and keep your device secure, protecting your system from viruses and malware that can slow down your device. These updates may include bug fixes, speed improvements, and new features that can improve the performance of your device. Updates occur automatically in Windows 10, but depending on the update or the device's configuration, they do not always download and install as soon as they become available. A good way to check this is to go into Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Along with updating your software and systems, you should also keep your anti-virus and other security software up to date. This will help to ensure that your device is protected against the most recent threats and vulnerabilities that can slow down your PC's performance.

2. Disable startup apps:

Startup apps are those applications that open when you boot up your computer and continue to run in the background even when you aren’t using them. These apps significantly slow down your PC, especially when you first boot it up. Disabling these apps will help to improve the boot time of your PC and free up system resources, resulting in faster overall performance. To see and disable your startup apps can be done by going into Task Manager > Startup > Disable the apps you don’t want opening. It's important to be cautious when disabling startup apps, as some apps may be necessary for the proper functioning of your PC or specific software.

3. Complete a malware scan:

One of the reasons your device may be running slow could be due to a malware infection. Malware can infect your device in a variety of ways, including malicious downloads, email attachments, and visits to infected websites. Malware can consume system resources, slow down your device, and cause other issues such as crashes and freezes once installed. A malware scan will detect any threats and remove them, which will help boost the overall performance of your PC because the malware will no longer be using up your PC's resources.

4. Remove unnecessary files and applications:

Unnecessary files and applications can quickly deplete your computer's resources. Remove these files, programmes, and applications that you no longer use to free up space and improve the performance of your device. A Disk Clean-up tool is an excellent way to remove temporary files, system files, and other junk that may be taking up valuable hard drive space. A quick and easy way to delete your files is to go into Disk Clean-up > Tick the boxes you’d like to delete > Click ok.

To delete unnecessary applications, go into Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Uninstall any programs or applications you want to delete.

5. Upgrade your hardware:

Looking to keep your device up to date with the latest technological demands without purchasing a new device? Upgrading your hardware is a great way to improve your PC's performance and make it work like new. Here are some hardware upgrades we recommend:

• Add more RAM: RAM, also known as random-access memory, is your device's short-term data storage and the location of your device's current memory. It cannot store permanent data, so when you close your computer, all data stored is lost. If you don't have enough RAM, your computer will have to use your hard drive as a temporary storage space, which can cause your computer to slow down. Adding more RAM is a simple and inexpensive way to boost your PC's performance and make it run faster and smoother.
• Switching to an SSD: A solid-state drive, like a USB stick, stores information on microchips using flash memory rather than a spinning disc. SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs and can boot up in seconds and launch applications much faster.
• Upgrade your CPU: The CPU (central processing unit) is in charge of carrying out the instructions that your computer receives from software. If your PC is slow and you are constantly waiting for programmes to load or respond, upgrading your CPU may be beneficial. A more powerful CPU can execute instructions faster, making your PC feel faster and more responsive.

6. Disable background apps:

Some apps can continue to run tasks in the background even when you're not using them. If you want to speed up your computer as much as possible, you can decide which apps can operate in the background or disable the feature to block all apps. To do this go into Settings > Privacy > Background apps > Toggle the apps you want to stop running in the background.

7. Disable notifications and tips:

Frequently, you may receive notifications and tips to enhance your usage, which requires scanning the PC and can potentially impact its performance. Disabling these notifications and tips can be advantageous. Disabling is an easy way to help boost the productivity of your device. To turn this off you can go into Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Toggle off the ‘Get tips, tricks and suggestions as you use Windows’.