How to make your computer faster (without buying anything)
The four free moves that fix 80% of slow computers — works on Mac and Windows.
Quinn Yoo
March 7, 2026
Restart it (yes, really)
If you haven't restarted in 7+ days, start there. Restarting clears RAM, ends zombie processes, and applies pending updates.
Many 'slow computers' are just computers that haven't been restarted in a month.
Disable startup apps
Both Mac and Windows boot dozens of programs you didn't realize were running. Many slow boot to a crawl.
Mac: System Settings → General → Login Items. Windows: Task Manager → Startup tab. Disable anything you don't actively use at boot.
Free up disk space + update
Drives over 80% full slow down sharply. Empty downloads folder, clear browser cache, uninstall apps you haven't used in months.
Then run all OS updates. Pending updates can mean unfinished optimization. After both, restart again.
People also ask
Should I install a 'cleaner' app?+
No. Most are useless or worse — adware, malware, or scams. Built-in tools are sufficient.
More RAM or SSD?+
If your computer has a spinning hard drive, an SSD upgrade is the single best money you can spend. Otherwise, RAM helps if you have under 8GB.
Why does my browser slow my computer?+
Too many tabs/extensions. Each tab uses RAM. Close what you're not using; remove extensions you don't need.