Have you ever noticed that when you need your computer to do something, it doesn’t do it? Whether you’re trying to send an email before work or get a video to load to show your friend, technology has a habit of not cooperating in the moments that matter most.

So what can you do to combat that? The key is knowing how to make your computer run faster. And today, we’re going to discuss precisely that.

Interested in learning more?

Read on for seven things you can do to speed up a slow computer.

1. Delete Old Files

If you’re like most computer users, there’s a good chance that your computer is full of old files. From PPT presentations you gave years ago to the same photo taken in 50 different angles, all of these files add up.

When your computer’s storage is low, it has a hard time processing the tasks that it’s doing. Because of that, it’s always a good idea to go through and clear files out now and then.

If you don’t feel parting with sentimental items of the past, try uploading them to an external hard drive or using a storage system like iCloud.

2. Uninstall Programs

In addition to old files, many computer users also have programs and applications that they haven’t touched in years. Just because you’re not using them, however, doesn’t mean that they don’t affect your computer.

Like files, excess applications can also slow down your computer. Go through and look for ones that you can uninstall. Remember, you can always get them back later.

On a Mac, uninstalling files is as easy as dragging them to the Trash. On a Windows computer, head to Add or Remove Programs to get rid of them.

3. Clean up Your Desktop

Take a moment to think about what your computer’s Desktop looks like. Is it a couple of folders, with all of your files organized neatly inside? Or is it a chaotic mess of files, images, and screenshots spewed around one another?

If it’s the latter, understand that you may be slowing your computer down without realizing it. Your computer has to spend processing power to display all of the icons on your screen. When you have 50,000 of them, it can cause a noticeable difference.

Try putting them into folders to cut down on the required processing power. Or even better, look for redundant or old files that you can delete!

If you need help figuring out how to get file path on a Mac to clean up your Desktop and folders, that guide can help you out.

4. Identify What’s Slowing Down Your Computer

Sometimes, even if you follow the above steps, you still won’t see a difference in your computer. In that case, it’s worth investigating where the problem is originating from.

To do this on a Mac, you’ll need to open up your Activity Monitor. Once there, you’ll see all of the applications and programs that are drawing processing power.

Depending on what’s running, you might see a few that you can exit out of. You might also see some programs that you didn’t know you had!

5. Empty the Trash Bin

Many people make the mistake of moving files into the Trash and thinking that’s the end of it. Remember that just because you do that doesn’t mean that a file is off of your system. You also need to delete it from the Trash as well.

Most of the time, this should be easy to do. Try right-clicking on your computer’s Trash and deleting everything. Depending on how many files you have, it might take a few minutes to clear everything out.

Once you delete files from the Trash, they’re gone forever. Remember that before you get rid of it all!

6. Switch Your Browser

Depending on which operating system you use, certain browsers may run faster than others. It’s worth taking the time to identify which browsers are best optimized for your system.

Many Mac users report that Safari is the best choice for them. Google Chrome and others tend to use more memory which can cause slower systems to experience lag.

However, every system is different. Check your computer’s Activity Monitor or Task Manager to see whether a browser is working well with your computer.

7. Upgrade Your System

You can follow all the tips in the world to speed up your computer, but if it continues to run slowly, it might be worth investing in a new one.

Hardware doesn’t last forever, and at a certain point, it will even become incompatible with newer types of software. This can open your computer up to security risks, as well as deny you the features that newer systems have.

If you have a desktop, look into adding RAM or upgrading the processor. If you’re on a laptop, at a certain point, you might have to buy a new one.

Understand How to Make Your Computer Run Faster

Regardless of how new and powerful your computer seemed when you first got it, technology degrades over time. Because of that, it’s important to know how to make your computer run faster.

Use this guide to help you do just that. By following the tips mentioned, you’ll have no problem speeding up your system and getting it back to how it was when you first had it.

Do you now have a better idea of how to free up space on your MacBook and get it to run faster? If you do, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more great content.