What To Know
- The Surface Pro 7 is a powerhouse of a device, but even the best machines can slow down over time.
- This guide will walk you through the best ways to how to speed up your Surface Pro 7, bringing back that zippy performance you crave.
- The first step to a faster Surface Pro 7 is a clean slate.
The Surface Pro 7 is a powerhouse of a device, but even the best machines can slow down over time. If you’re experiencing sluggish performance, lagging apps, or a general feeling of frustration, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through the best ways to how to speed up your Surface Pro 7, bringing back that zippy performance you crave.
1. The Power of a Clean Slate: Disk Cleanup and Storage Management
The first step to a faster Surface Pro 7 is a clean slate. Over time, your hard drive accumulates temporary files, system caches, and unnecessary programs. Here’s how to tackle this digital clutter:
- Disk Cleanup: Windows has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup. Go to “This PC” > right-click on your system drive (usually C:) > “Properties” > “Disk Cleanup.” Select the types of files you want to remove and click “OK.”
- Storage Sense: Windows 10 also offers Storage Sense, which automatically deletes temporary files and downloads to free up space. Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Storage” and enable Storage Sense.
- Uninstall Unnecessary Programs: Review your installed programs and uninstall anything you don’t use regularly. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Apps & Features” and select the programs you want to remove.
- Manage Large Files: Identify and remove large files you no longer need, such as videos, photos, or documents. You can use the “Storage” settings in Windows to see which files are taking up the most space.
2. The Art of Optimization: Tweaking Windows Settings
Windows 10 offers several settings that can impact your Surface Pro 7’s performance. Here’s how to fine-tune them for maximum speed:
- Visual Effects: Reduce visual effects to prioritize performance. Go to “System” > “About” > “Advanced system settings” > “Advanced” tab > “Performance” > “Settings.” Choose “Adjust for best performance” or manually select the visual effects you want to disable.
- Startup Programs: Limit the number of programs that launch automatically when you start your Surface Pro 7. Go to “Task Manager” (right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”) > “Startup” tab. Disable programs you don’t need to run at startup.
- Power Plan: Select the “High Performance” power plan for maximum processing power, although this will consume more battery. Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Power & Sleep” > “Additional power settings” and choose the “High Performance” plan.
3. The Power of Refresh: Restarting and Updates
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Regularly restarting your Surface Pro 7 can clear out temporary files and improve performance. Additionally, keeping your operating system and drivers updated is crucial for optimal performance and security.
- Restart Your Surface Pro 7: Close all open programs and click the “Start” button > “Power” > “Restart.”
- Check for Updates: Go to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” and check for available updates. Install all recommended updates.
- Update Drivers: Go to “Device Manager” (right-click on the “Start” button and select “Device Manager”) and check for any drivers with yellow exclamation marks. Right-click on the driver and select “Update driver.”
4. The Magic of Background Processes: Managing Apps and Tasks
Background processes can consume system resources and slow down your Surface Pro 7. Here’s how to manage them:
- Task Manager: Use Task Manager to monitor your running processes and identify resource-hungry apps. Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open Task Manager. Click on the “Processes” tab and sort by “CPU” or “Memory” to see which apps are using the most resources. Right-click on any process and select “End task” to close it.
- Disable Unnecessary Background Apps: Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Background apps” and disable apps that you don’t need running in the background.
- Limit Startup Apps: As mentioned earlier, managing startup programs can also help reduce background processes.
5. The Importance of a Clean System: Regular Maintenance
Just like a car needs regular maintenance, so does your Surface Pro 7. Here’s how to keep your device running smoothly:
- Defragment Your Hard Drive: Defragmentation reorganizes files on your hard drive, making it faster to access data. Go to “This PC” > right-click on your system drive > “Properties” > “Tools” > “Optimize and defragment drive.”
- Run a Virus Scan: Regularly scan your Surface Pro 7 for malware and viruses. Use a reputable antivirus program or Windows Defender, which is built into Windows 10.
- Clean Your Surface Pro 7: Dust and dirt can accumulate in the vents and ports of your Surface Pro 7, affecting its performance. Use a soft cloth or compressed air to clean the device.
6. The Power of a Fresh Start: Resetting Your Surface Pro 7
If all else fails, resetting your Surface Pro 7 to its factory settings can restore it to its original state, potentially solving performance issues. However, this will erase all your data, so make sure to back up your important files before proceeding.
- Reset Your Surface Pro 7: Go to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Recovery” and select “Reset this PC.” Choose the option to keep your files or remove everything.
7. The Final Touch: Upgrade Your Hardware
If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Surface Pro 7 is still slow, it might be time to consider upgrading your hardware.
- Increase RAM: Adding more RAM can significantly improve performance, especially if you’re running demanding applications.
- Upgrade Your Storage: Switching to a faster SSD (Solid State Drive) can significantly speed up boot times and overall performance.
- Consider a New Surface Pro: If your Surface Pro 7 is getting old, it might be time to consider a newer model with more powerful hardware.
Beyond the Basics: Additional Tips for Speed Enhancement
- Close Unused Tabs: Keep only the necessary tabs open in your web browser. Too many tabs can slow down your browser and consume system resources.
- Use a Lightweight Browser: Consider using a lightweight web browser like Chrome Canary or Opera for faster performance.
- Disable Unnecessary Features: Disable features that you don’t use, such as Cortana or Windows Ink Workspace, to free up system resources.
- Use a Cooling Pad: If your Surface Pro 7 gets hot, a cooling pad can help keep it cool and improve performance.
Frequently Discussed Topics
Q: How do I know if my Surface Pro 7 is running slow?
A: You’ll notice sluggish performance in various ways:
- Slow boot times: Your Surface Pro 7 takes longer than usual to start up.
- Lagging apps: Apps open slowly or take a long time to respond.
- General sluggishness: Your Surface Pro 7 feels slow and unresponsive.
- High CPU or memory usage: Check Task Manager to see if CPU or memory usage is consistently high.
Q: Is it safe to delete temporary files?
A: Yes, it’s generally safe to delete temporary files. These files are temporary and are not essential for your system to function. However, it’s always a good idea to back up your important files before deleting anything.
Q: How often should I defragment my hard drive?
A: Defragmentation is less important for SSDs than for traditional hard drives. If you have an SSD, you don’t need to defragment it. For hard drives, you can defragment it once a month or as needed.
Q: What should I do if my Surface Pro 7 is still slow after trying all these tips?
A: If your Surface Pro 7 is still slow after trying all the tips in this guide, it might be time to contact Microsoft support or take it to a repair shop. There may be a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.
