If your Windows computer has started to feel sluggish lately — taking ages to boot, freezing when you open Chrome, or lagging during basic tasks — you’re not alone. Over time, every PC accumulates unnecessary files, startup bloat, and background processes that silently slow things down.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard or download shady “cleaner” apps to fix this.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through 11 practical steps to clean up your system, boost performance, and make your PC feel snappy again — all using built-in Windows tools. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get your computer back in shape.

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🧹 Step 1: Start with Disk Cleanup – Your First Line of Defense

Let’s begin with a basic yet powerful Windows utility called Disk Cleanup. It clears out unnecessary system files, installer leftovers, thumbnails, and more — all of which hog precious space.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cleanmgr and press Enter.
3. Choose your primary drive (usually C:).
4. Let the scan run. When the options appear, checkmark everything.
5. Click OK → then confirm Delete Files.

💡 This step can instantly free up several hundred MBs (or even GBs) of space!

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🗑️ Step 2: Empty the Temp Folder (Temporary Files)

Every time you install or run software, Windows creates temporary files. They’re meant to be deleted automatically, but most are just left behind and clog up your drive.

Clean it like this:

1. Press Windows + R, type temp, and press Enter.
2. Click Continue if permission is needed.
3. Press Ctrl + A to select all files.
4. Hit Shift + Delete → Click Yes to confirm.

👉 It’s totally safe. If a few files won’t delete, that’s okay — skip them and move on.

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🧼 Step 3: Clean the %temp% Folder (User-Specific Temporary Files)

There’s another hidden stash of temp files under your user profile. Let’s clean that too.

Do this:

1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select everything.
3. Press Shift + Delete to permanently delete the files.
4. Confirm with Yes.

Just like before, don’t worry if a few files are in use — just skip those.

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⚙️ Step 4: Delete Prefetch Cache Files

Prefetch files help Windows load applications faster. But over time, old or broken entries can slow your system down.

Here’s what to do:

1. Open Run (Windows + R).
2. Type prefetch and hit Enter.
3. Click Continue if needed.
4. Press Ctrl + A → Shift + Delete → Confirm with Yes.

💡 Again, skip files that can’t be deleted.

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🌐 Step 5: Optimize Internet Settings for Faster Browsing

If your browser feels slow or keeps lagging, it could be network settings or proxy misconfiguration.

Here’s how to tweak it:

1. Press Windows + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. In the Internet Properties window, go to the Connections tab → click LAN Settings.
3. Uncheck “Use a proxy server” if it’s enabled.
4. Make sure “Automatically detect settings” is checked.
5. Click OK, then go to the Advanced tab and click Restore advanced settings.
6. Optionally, go to the Reset section and reset your browser if needed.

✅ Especially helpful if you use Internet Explorer or Edge.

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🚫 Step 6: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

A bloated startup is a big reason for slow boot times. Let’s trim the fat.

Here’s how:

1. Right-click the Taskbar → choose Task Manager → go to Startup tab.
   • Or use shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
2. Review the list. Right-click and Disable any apps you don’t need launching at startup (e.g., Skype, OneDrive, Phone Link).
3. Don’t disable essential services like:
   • Intel, AMD, Realtek, or your laptop brand’s drivers (e.g., HP, Dell)

⚠️ Pro Tip: Only disable what you recognize. If unsure, Google it before disabling.

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🧠 Step 7: Adjust Windows for Best Performance

Windows looks good, but all those animations and shadows use up CPU and RAM. Let’s prioritize speed.

To adjust for performance:

1. Right-click This PC → click Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings → under Performance, click Settings.
3. Choose “Adjust for best performance” → Apply → OK.

💡 This removes fancy visual effects but makes your system smoother, especially on older PCs.

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🧠 Step 8: Increase Virtual Memory (RAM Boost)

Running low on RAM? Let’s allocate part of your hard drive as Virtual Memory to handle more tasks.

How to do it:

1. Go back to Advanced system settings → Performance Settings → Advanced tab.
2. Under Virtual memory, click Change.
3. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size”.
4. Choose Custom Size.
5. Open Calculator and multiply 1024 × 4 to allocate 4GB = 4096 MB.
6. Set both Initial and Maximum Size to 4096.
7. Click Set → OK → OK → Restart when prompted.

🚀 This gives your PC more headroom to multitask efficiently.

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⚙️ Step 9: Unlock More CPU Cores (Boot Speed Hack)

Your processor might not be using all cores during boot. Let’s fix that.

To enable all processors:

1. Open Run → type msconfig → press Enter.
2. Go to the Boot tab → Select your OS → click Advanced Options.
3. Check Number of Processors → choose the maximum available (e.g., 4 or 8).
4. Click OK → Apply → Restart your system.

✅ This can slightly reduce startup time on some machines.

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💽 Step 10: Defragment Your Hard Drive (Skip for SSD)

If you’re on a traditional HDD, defragmentation can significantly speed up file access.

Here’s how:

1. Search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the Start Menu.
2. Open the app.
3. Select your C: drive (and other drives).
4. Click Analyze → then Optimize.
5. Repeat for all HDD drives.

⚠️ If you have an SSD, skip this step. SSDs don’t need defragmentation and Windows handles them differently.

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🛡️ Step 11: Scan for Viruses Using Windows Security

Let’s not forget security. Malware and background scripts can silently slow down your system.

Use built-in antivirus (no need to buy external tools!):

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security.
2. Click Open Windows Security.
3. Select Virus & threat protection → click Scan options.
4. Choose Full Scan → Click Scan Now.

💡 Do this once a week to keep your system clean. Windows Defender is free, built-in, and powerful.

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🧾 Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations — you just gave your PC a full makeover!

✅ Cleared junk
✅ Boosted RAM
✅ Tweaked startup
✅ Optimized browser and virtual memory
✅ Removed viruses

Doing this once every few weeks can keep your system lightning fast and extend its life.

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🏷️ Tags:

windows optimization, speed up windows 10, clean junk files, virtual memory, disk cleanup, temp files, msconfig, windows performance, disable startup apps, virus scan

🔖 Hashtags:

#SpeedUpWindows #WindowsTips #PCOptimization #DiskCleanup #TempFiles #WindowsSecurity #WindowsPerformance #TechHelp #CleanPC

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⚠️ Disclaimer:

This tutorial uses only built-in Windows tools and is safe for general users. However, always backup important data before making system-level changes. If you’re unsure about any step, consult a professional.

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Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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