Boost computer performance using power settings

We’re often tasked with trying to squeeze more performance out of computers, to make them quicker and more responsive. Generally, we’d look at carrying out an MOT on the computer, clean off any unused rubbish and see what software might be working the computer hard.

Aside from a general computer clean-up, or upgrading the computer (so that it has an SSD hard drive or more RAM) there are some options things that can tweaked to give your computer a much-needed turbo boost.

The first thing we check when we’re assisting and advising on computer performance is how long the computer has been on for. Yes, it’s the typical thing of deciding if we need to turn it off and turn it on again, which really does help by the way. We will often find computers which haven’t been restarted or completely turned off for days, weeks and in some instances, months.

Your computer isn’t designed to run 24/7. You’re reducing the life of your computer by leaving it on all the time. 

When we see that a computer hasn’t been restarted or turned off for a number of days, we’ll communicate that. We have found though, that a good proportion of people, do attempt to shut down completely, they are doing the right thing! So, the question becomes – if they are attempting to shut the computer down, but it isn’t, why is this happening?

The problem is that the power options within Windows are set so that the computer sleeps when it should shut down, and that fast boot might be on as well.

Windows tries to be clever and to speed up the startup time of your computer, it will wake it from sleep mode, rather than doing a full startup, as this is deemed to be quicker (but highly debatable). Just like us though, waking from sleep mode, the computer is slow and sluggish for a good while, which isn’t helpful for the person using the computer.

What can be done to ensure a full shutdown/full startup every time?

The good news is, there are just a couple of power options that need changing to optimise your power settings for a full shutdown/startup which will boost your performance.

If you type in the word ‘power’ into your Windows search, you will Edit Power Plan. Click on that. Here, the first thing to check is that your computer isn’t going to sleep too quickly – for example, with a laptop, you may want it to sleep when on the battery after 5 minutes, and not at all when plugged in.

If you click on the word Power Options at the top of the window, you will then be able to adjust what the power buttons do using the link on the left that says Choose what the power buttons do. Here you should set it so that the power button icon, is set to shutdown (not sleep). You will need to use the save changes button if you have made changes.

Finally, there is a link at the top of this screen that says Change settings that are currently unavailable, click on this. You notice you can now change and untick the option for Turn on fast startup (so just to be clear, you want this unticked). Again click on the Save Changes button at the bottom.

Congratulations, you’ve now set your power options to optimise computer performance.

If you wish to discuss computer performance problems call us on 01527 908646 or email hello@lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Gavin Moorhouse is the owner of Lucid Computer Solutions, which is an IT Support and Business Technology business based in Redditch, Worcestershire. His laptop was super quick starting up this morning, thanks to the right power options.