Probably, every user working with Windows systems of any generation has noticed more than once that immediately after the first installation, when the equipment installed on the computer fully complies with the system requirements, Windows simply “flies”, but after a while there is a clear slowdown. This is where thoughts come about how to check a computer for performance and optimize its performance. To do this, you can offer several universal methods that involve the use of system tools that are available in the Windows OS itself, and specialized narrowly focused utilities, and general-purpose optimizers from third-party developers.
How to test a computer for performance: the main areas of testing
To begin with, let's figure out what is generally meant by performance, andwe will also look at which components of the hardware-software complex you need to pay special attention to. It is quite natural that the central processor and RAM come to mind first of all, on which the maximum load is assigned.
Also, the main components of computer hardware should include graphics adapters, since they, along with the CPU and RAM, also play one of the key roles in ensuring the correct functioning of the operating system. Installed in her application environment and directly involved even during the OS boot process.
Apparently, many paid attention to the appearance of blue screens, which was caused precisely by the incorrect operation of the video cards themselves and their drivers? The hard drive also plays an important role. The presence of errors, bad sectors, and randomly scattered fragments of files on it not only makes it difficult to use, but also increases the time it takes software components to access it to perform read/write processes.
The hardware seems to be sorted out. But what about the software part? Alas, even the components themselves in the form of various Windows services and background processes can cause an increase in the load on system resources. In addition, many such processes are not needed by an ordinary user at all.
Finally, there is another important component called the registry, which stores all data about the system, installed programs and drivers, general and user settings, and so on. The more entries it contains, the slower Windows runs. She needs more time to scanregistry in search of a particular key. And this is often noticeable already at the loading stage. Thus, we will consider testing a computer for performance in relation to the components described above.
Testing performance using the system
Now let's go directly to the execution of checks. If not all users, then many people know that in all the latest modifications of Windows there is a special built-in tool that displays the so-called performance index. Alas, you cannot fully rely on the value that is provided to the user. This is due only to the fact that the overall score is not even an average, but is set on the basis of the lowest indicator. Despite this, you can perform the most common visual test of your computer for performance. You can do this on any system in the standard "Task Manager", where you need to use the performance / performance tab. You can track indicators in real time by selecting the required element among the presented ones.
Many, however, forget that it is in this section that you can use an additional software tool called the performance monitor. It has a little more information and features, since you can select a specific process and see how much it affects system resources. Unfortunately, using this tool, you can only track the behavior of some processes, but there is no way to improve performance.succeed (and even by forcibly ending them, since many system services cannot be disabled, and some will restart on their own after deactivation).
How to improve computer performance on Windows 10 and below?
But in Windows it is still possible to achieve an increase in performance. At least the user himself can change some settings without even being an administrator. Setting up a computer for performance that would fully satisfy your needs is done by changing the following options (only by means of the system):
- disabling unnecessary startup items;
- deactivation of unused components and services;
- cleaning and optimization (defragmentation) of the hard drive;
- changing virtual memory settings.
All this together will allow you to offload system resources without the use of software from third-party developers. But what exactly do you think can be disabled, and how to do it?
Checking autoload
First of all, you need to pay attention to this particular section, since the processes (both system and user) that start with Windows increase the OS boot time. In addition, when starting with the system, their components are constantly in RAM.
In the tenth and eighth modifications of Windows, to access this section, you must use the "Task Manager" (taskmgr), and in versions below it, you canget through the configuration (msconfig). It is in the "eight" and "ten" that you can disable everything that is on the list (of course, except for the services of the standard antivirus). But in the seventh version and below, you must additionally leave the ctfmon applet in the list, which is responsible for the operation of the language bar and changing the language or layout (in Windows 10 and 8 this process is not displayed by default). After completing the setup, the computer must be restarted without fail.
Note: as an additional action, you can disable unnecessary services on the corresponding tab, but their deactivation will be performed only until the next reboot.
Disable unnecessary system components
Speaking about how to test your computer for performance and improve performance, you should separately dwell on the deactivation of some system components, which ordinary users often forget about. You can view the list of active services through the standard section of installed programs, where you need to follow the link to turn Windows components on and off.
In the list, you can disable, say, the Internet Explorer service if you have another browser installed as a program for accessing the Internet. You can also disable print services if you don't have a printer or don't intend to use one at all. You can disable Hyper-V module components if you are not working with virtual machines or emulators, etc.
Remove unused and resource-intensive programs
By and large,You can also get rid of unnecessary or rarely used applications. Some of them even in the background can load their own libraries into RAM or access the Internet. Pay special attention to the fact that very often when installing the main program, some related applications are also installed in addition to it. For example, when you install iTunes, you also get the Apple Software Updater, Bonjour Synchronizer, etc.
The easiest solution is to uninstall these applications from the regular Programs and Features section. But the native Windows uninstaller works extremely inefficiently, leaving a huge amount of garbage, so you need to remove unnecessary programs using other methods, which will be discussed separately.
Disable background services and processes
Now it's time to disable some system services that cannot be deactivated using the methods described above. To view all services, the corresponding section is used, called by the services.msc command through the Run console. But here you need to know what exactly can be deactivated. As a simple example, consider disabling automatic installation of system updates. To do this, turn off four components:
- "Update Center" itself;
- Windows Installer service;
- update installer service;
- delivery optimization.
On eachcomponent, double-click to call options editing, then the service is stopped by pressing the corresponding button, after which the startup type is set to disabled start.
Clean and optimize your hard drive
To speed up access to your hard drive and improve its performance, you need to constantly clean it from debris and defragment it regularly.
In Windows, for starters, you can use your own means of cleaning the selected partition, where it is desirable to use the removal of system files, which will allow you to get rid of the files of the old system assembly, delete unnecessary saved update packages, clear the system cache, etc.
You can also use the built-in defrag tool, which works quite well, but takes a long time.
Virtual memory
Finally, it's time to dispel the myths about the use of virtual memory and the paging file responsible for it. For some reason, many people think that it is best to set the maximum possible value. Alas, this will lead to the opposite effect, because instead of RAM, the components of the programs being launched will start loading virtual memory, which is a reserved space on the hard disk, and the speed of accessing the hard drive is several times lower than that of RAM. But what volume to set? It is commonly believed that with eight gigabytes of RAM, the use of the paging file can be disabled altogether. Despite recommendationssystem to set the size of the swap file, this will give a noticeable increase in performance.
As practice shows, if you work only with office applications and documents, and your computer has a 2-core mid-range CPU and 2 GB of RAM, there will be nothing wrong with deactivating virtual memory either.
Choosing the optimal mode of operation of the video card
Finally, let's see how to improve the performance of your computer by choosing the optimal mode for the graphics accelerator. In Windows, there are no native tools for configuring the desired settings. Therefore, it is best to use special diagnostic and configuration utilities from the video card manufacturers themselves (for example, ATI Catalyst, NVIDIA Control Panel or PhysX, etc.). Many such programs allow not only to optimize all the necessary parameters, but also monitor the timely updating of drivers.
Note: Control software update issues are relevant not only for graphics chips, but also for all installed hardware and even for some virtual components. The best way to update is to use automated programs like Driver Booster or something similar.
Checking performance with special programs
How to test your computer for performance and take some steps to increase system performance using Windows, figured out. Now let's move on to third-party software products. To do this, you can use either applications,related to the class of performance monitors, or general-purpose optimizer programs. From the first type of applications, as is already clear, you can only get the output of relevant information on the functioning of certain software and hardware components, but in optimizers you can perform very fine tuning. That is why it is recommended to use them.
Complete removal of applications, Windows programs, extensions and browser panels
Now, with regard to checking the computer for performance and optimizing its operation, let's focus on removing software components. To avoid garbage remaining in the system after deleting the main elements of uninstalled applications in the form of files on the hard disk or entries in the registry, it is best to use special uninstallers, the most prominent representatives of which are the iObit Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller utilities.
With the help of these packages, you can even get rid of all installed panels and browser extensions, as well as remove unnecessary applets "embedded" in the shell of the operating system itself. The program itself does not have much effect on the performance of the computer in terms of the use of computing resources, however, sometimes it is advisable to disable the automatic updater.
How to improve system performance with optimizers?
In conclusion, let's see how to test the computer for performance and increase performance, if necessary, usingoptimizers.
The initial test is best done in applications like Advanced SystemCare, not yet including automatic fixes for problems found. But when a list appears with all the errors, problems, or components that can be optimized, you can safely ask for troubleshooting. In such applications, you can enable the necessary modules yourself, as well as use some additional settings or use the constantly running RAM offloading tools.
The most universal utility is CCleaner. The program has a very beneficial effect on computer performance, allowing you to clean up the registry, remove unnecessary applications, manage startup items and Task Scheduler tasks, completely clear disk space, etc.
Applications like AVZ, Easy Service Optimizer or Windows Manager also look good, in which you can additionally access important system parameters, and set the optimal parameters based on the recommended values, and it is absolutely safe for the operating system itself.
