LOW-END SYSTEM TIPS
Use ReadyBoost
21 Here, we’re going to specify tips that are only really useful for older or super-budget systems with limited hardware, such as HDDs instead of SSDs, or less than 8GB of RAM. ReadyBoost is a feature for such PCs, and uses removable storage (typically a USB flash drive or SD card with at least 12GB of storage) to temporarily cache data and speed up your system. You can activate it by plugging in an empty flash drive, right-clicking the drive in File Explorer, and selecting the “ReadyBoost” tab under “Properties.” Select “Dedicate this drive to ReadyBoost” and reserve all available space for caching. We advise against using flash drives with data stored on them for this; while it shouldn’t be a problem, it reduces the available storage space for ReadyBoost to use, and constantly caching files can reduce the drive’s lifespan.
Run Defrag for HDDs
22 If you’re still rocking an HDD in your system in 2020 (hey, we don’t judge), it’s important to remember to defrag that drive now and then, lest long-term fragmentation ruins your data. Fortunately, Windows 10 has a defrag tool built-in, although it’s been shuffled around a few times between version updates. Punch “defrag” into the search bar, open “Defragment and Optimize Drives,” select your hard drive, and hit “Optimize.” Depending on the size of the drive and the degree of existing fragmentation, it could take a while, so leave this until last if you’re taking some time to clean up your PC. Disable Search Indexing 23 Windows 10’s search function is great, but the indexing process can be fairly resource-intensive on older (or super-budget) systems. Access the indexing menu by searching for “indexing options” in the Control Panel, hit “Modify,” then hit “Show all locations.” If you want to fully disable indexing, select everything here, and click “OK.” This stops Windows Search from indexing your results, freeing up system resources to speed up your PC.