Home Global Path013

15+ Cutting-Edge Tweaks To Make Your Computer Run Faster In 2025: The Ultimate Speed Guide

• minute read
Contents

Is your computer feeling sluggish, freezing mid-task, or taking forever to boot up? You are not alone. As of December 2025, modern operating systems like Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma are more demanding than ever, and simple maintenance is no longer enough to maintain peak performance. This guide cuts through the outdated advice to deliver the freshest, most impactful hardware and software optimizations you need right now.

Forget simply deleting desktop icons; achieving true system speed in 2025 requires a strategic approach, combining critical hardware upgrades with deep-level operating system tweaks. We’ll show you exactly how to eliminate bottlenecks, from optimizing your power plan to aggressively managing background processes, ensuring your PC or Mac runs at its absolute fastest.

The 4 Non-Negotiable Hardware Upgrades for 2025 Speed

While software tweaks offer immediate relief, they can't fix a fundamental hardware bottleneck. If your computer is more than three years old, these four upgrades are the most effective ways to instantly increase PC speed and are considered non-negotiable for modern performance.

  • Upgrade to an SSD (Solid State Drive): If you are still running on a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD), this is the single biggest performance boost you can make. An SSD significantly reduces boot times and application loading times.
  • Install More RAM (Random Access Memory): For Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma, 16GB is the new minimum for comfortable multitasking, while 32GB is recommended for heavy users, gamers, and content creators. More RAM allows you to run more applications and browser tabs simultaneously without lag.
  • Check Your CPU Processor: A slow Central Processing Unit (CPU) can bottleneck even the fastest SSD and RAM. If your CPU is an older generation, consider upgrading to a newer model to handle modern multi-threaded applications and operating system demands.
  • Improve Cooling: Often overlooked, thermal throttling is a major speed killer. When your CPU or GPU gets too hot, it intentionally slows down (throttles) to prevent damage. Ensure your computer’s fans are clean, and consider a higher-quality thermal paste or even an aftermarket cooler for significant performance gains.

Advanced Windows 11 Performance Tweaks: Beyond the Basics

Windows 11 is generally faster than its predecessor, but it also features many visual effects and background processes that consume valuable system resources. These advanced settings will help you stabilize and speed up your Windows 11 PC.

1. Maximize Power Settings for "Best Performance"

By default, Windows 11 often prioritizes power saving, which limits your CPU's potential speed. You need to switch to a performance-focused plan.

  • Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
  • Under the Power Mode dropdown, select Best performance or Maximum Performance. This ensures the CPU runs at a higher frequency when needed.

2. Disable Unnecessary Visual Effects

Windows 11's animations and shadows look nice, but they eat up resources. Disabling them is one of the easiest ways to improve system responsiveness.

  • Search Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows in the Start menu.
  • In the Performance Options dialog box, select the Visual Effects tab.
  • Choose the option Adjust for best performance. This instantly disables effects like fading, sliding, and shadows.

3. Aggressive Startup and Background App Management

Many programs launch automatically on startup and run background processes, dramatically increasing boot time and slowing down your system.

  • Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
  • Go to the Startup apps tab. Sort by "Startup impact."
  • Right-click and Disable any program you don't need running the moment you log in (e.g., Spotify, Discord, Adobe Updaters).
  • For background apps, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Check the advanced settings for programs and restrict their background activity where possible.

4. Enable Windows 11 Game Mode

If you use your PC for gaming, ensure Game Mode is enabled. This feature prioritizes system resources for your game, improving FPS and reducing lag by stopping background tasks like Windows Update.

  • Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and toggle it On.

macOS Sonoma Speed Optimization: Taming the Resource Hogs

While Apple’s M-series chips are highly efficient, even the latest macOS Sonoma (or Sequoia) can get bogged down by inefficient software and too many open processes. These tips focus on freeing up your Mac's powerful CPU and memory.

1. Ruthlessly Trim Login Items and Agents

Similar to Windows startup programs, Login Items and Launch Agents are common causes of slow boot times and persistent background lag.

  • Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
  • Review the list and use the minus (-) button to remove any application that you don't need to start automatically.
  • For more aggressive cleaning, third-party utilities like CleanMyMac can help you disable hidden Launch Agents that are constantly running in the background.

2. Kill Idle Processes and Memory Hogs

Applications that are open but not actively being used can still consume significant CPU and memory resources. This is where process management comes in.

  • Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities).
  • Click on the CPU tab and look for apps with high "% CPU" usage.
  • Click on the Memory tab and identify apps with high memory consumption.
  • Select the process and click the (X) button to Quit or Force Quit it.
  • Pro Tip: Browser tabs, especially in Chrome or Safari, are notorious memory hogs. Close unneeded tabs immediately to free up RAM.

3. Manage Desktop Clutter and Storage

While a few files on your desktop won't slow down a modern Mac, excessive clutter can negatively impact system performance, especially if you have a full drive.

  • Use the Stacks feature on your Mac desktop (Right-click desktop > Use Stacks) to organize files automatically.
  • Go to System Settings > General > Storage and use the built-in recommendations to clear out old files, large downloads, and temporary junk files.

Essential Maintenance: The Ongoing Speed Checklist

Maintaining a fast computer is an ongoing process. Incorporate these three checks into your monthly routine.

1. Run a Deep Malware and Antivirus Scan

Malware, spyware, and Adware often run hidden background processes that consume CPU and network bandwidth, leading to significant slowdowns. A thorough scan with a reputable antivirus program is essential for speed and security.

2. Update Your Drivers and Operating System

Outdated drivers can lead to system instability and poor performance, especially for graphics cards and networking hardware. Always ensure your operating system (Windows/macOS) and all hardware drivers are running the latest version for optimal compatibility and speed.

3. Clear Temporary and Junk Files

Over time, your system accumulates gigabytes of temporary internet files, broken registry entries (Windows), and application caches. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool on Windows or a third-party cleaner on macOS to regularly purge this digital debris. On Windows, you can also search for Storage Settings and enable Storage Sense to automate the cleanup of temporary files.

15+ Cutting-Edge Tweaks to Make Your Computer Run Faster in 2025: The Ultimate Speed Guide
how to make computer run faster
how to make computer run faster

Detail Author:

  • Name : Elizabeth Hermann DVM
  • Username : ngaylord
  • Email : carleton.kohler@terry.biz
  • Birthdate : 1996-11-30
  • Address : 7310 Dayton Skyway Suite 716 Greenmouth, WA 29238
  • Phone : +1 (534) 977-7683
  • Company : Weimann Inc
  • Job : Oral Surgeon
  • Bio : Voluptates quod error omnis et non dignissimos. Molestiae molestias adipisci odio nihil labore. Doloribus assumenda voluptas provident fugiat nesciunt totam et.

Socials

linkedin:

facebook:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/joel_fay
  • username : joel_fay
  • bio : Eum ratione et illo sit saepe. Aut tenetur voluptas iure odio. Qui tempora ut ratione optio.
  • followers : 3857
  • following : 168

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/jfay
  • username : jfay
  • bio : Fugiat ducimus voluptas perferendis aliquid. Neque natus eum ipsum et.
  • followers : 5754
  • following : 1646

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@joel_dev
  • username : joel_dev
  • bio : Culpa perspiciatis quis voluptas ipsam et dolorum quia est.
  • followers : 280
  • following : 1769

Random Posts