You may have to install more RAM, but if you don’t want to, there are still some ways to improve your laptop’s performance by manipulating your computer’s hard drive.
# '''Give your hard drive less work to do.''' Uninstall software you don’t need, and store your photos/videos/documents/etc. on a flash drive instead of on your hard drive. Hard drives with less data and programs on them run faster.
# '''Optimize your hard drive.''' HDD hard drives are slow compared to SSD hard drives. If your hard drive is an HDD, running the '''defrag/optimize''' utility may help. Type “'''Defragment and Optimize Drives'''” in the Search Bar at the bottom left of your screen, hit '''Enter''', and click the “'''Optimize'''” button on the window that pops up. Windows will tweak your hard drive for the best performance that is possible for it.
# '''Consider using ReadyBoost.''' ReadyBoost is a Windows feature to help hard drives that run at 5400 RPM or less. ReadyBoost allows you to plug in a USB flash drive into your computer and have Windows use it as if it were extra memory. To use the ReadyBoost feature, plug a flash drive into your USB port. Then, open Windows/File Explorer and right-click on the flash drive. Choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu and go to the ReadyBoost tab. Click the '''Use this device''' option and click '''OK.'''
Your computer’s performance should improve.