Keep Your Laptop Running Like New: Essential Performance Maintenance Tips

A laptop doesn’t have to slow down as it gets older. Simple regular maintenance keeps it running, extends its life and can save you from having to buy a new laptop too early. Here are the most important habits.

Clean up your storage

Delete files you no longer need, empty the recycle bin and uninstall programs you no longer use. A nearly full drive can slow things down, so leaving some free space on your laptop is sensible. Storage or disk clean-up tools come with the operating system of your laptop, and using them every so often to delete temporary files helps. Also, moving photos and videos to cloud storage or to an external storage device for your laptop helps free up space quickly.

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Manage startup programs

Too many programs launching automatically when you start your laptop can slow down startup and general use. Go through the list of programs that start automatically in Task Manager or your computer’s settings and disable any that are not necessary to start automatically. Essential programs like security software and frequently used applications should start automatically.

Update regularly

Install operating system updates and software patches promptly.

Update your OS, browser and important programs with the latest security fixes and, often, improvements in performance and stability. Enable automatic updates and restart your laptop when prompted to allow the update to complete installation.

Look after the hardware

Dust in vents and fans can cause a laptop to run hot. When it does overheat, the processor will lower its own speed to prevent damage and thus cause delay and fan noise. Brush out the vents gently with soft bristles, or use short bursts of compressed air while the laptop is switched off. Make sure to use your laptop on a hard, flat surface and not on a bed or sofa as this can block airflow.

Watch background processes

Open the task manager or activity monitor now and then to see which programs are hogging your laptop’s memory and processing power. Close unneeded programs and try to keep a handle on your browser’s tabs – dozens of tabs open at once can eat up a surprising amount of memory.

Restart regularly

Many people just close the lid of their laptops instead of letting them “reboot” every now and then. Restarting can clear out some temporary data, complete updates and refresh all the processes that the system has running, which prevents many small problems building up.

Check the battery and drive health

Batteries decline in capacity over time. Many laptops have battery health tracking in the system settings. If your laptop is dying quickly or only works when plugged in then perhaps a new battery can revive it. An older laptop with a traditional hard drive is most likely to get its biggest speed boost from a single upgrade: a solid-state drive.

Laptop maintenance schedule

Frequently asked questions

Why is my laptop suddenly slow?

Most slowdowns can be attributed to a nearly full disk, too many programs open, a background update, overheating or, occasionally, malware. You can try to restart your computer and then check your task manager to see if any programs are using up too many resources. Also, run a full security scan.

Is it worth upgrading an old laptop?

It depends on the rest of the laptop’s condition but often, yes, you can. Adding more RAM or swapping the old hard drive for a solid state drive can make a big difference for a modest price. A repair expert will be able to tell you whether or not your particular laptop can be upgraded and if it’s worth it.

Where to go next

Keeping devices secure matters as much as keeping them fast. Read our checklist for preventing network attacks.

Consistent maintenance keeps your laptop performing well for years.