How to Improve Internet Speed on Windows

Dealing with slow internet speed on your Windows computer can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it hampers the download speed of firmware packages or leads to extended waiting periods for device repairs. Don't Panic! As there are several simple techniques to enhance network speeds and make Windows experience smoother and quicker! Let’s dive into some of the many effective ways that can give your internet speed a serious boost and ensure you enjoy a seamless software experience. Let's get into it, shall we?

How to Improve Internet Speed on Windows

Method 1: Restart your router

Sometimes all it takes to resolve internet connectivity problems and increase speeds is just a reset of your router or modem. Simply disconnect it from the power source for several moments until the waiting period expires, plug it back in, and you should see improvements! This little action works like a charm to clear out any temporary network glitches.

And hey, if you only want to give your router a quick restart, it's just as easy. Simply reach behind the router, and unplug that power cord for a good 10-15 seconds. After that, plug that power cord back in.

Method 2: Close Unnecessary Programs and Processes

Do you know what can put a cap on your Windows internet speed? All those sneaky unnecessary programs and processes that gobble up your precious bandwidth. Fear not; there's an easy solution! Just close down any programs or processes you no longer require - especially data-intensive programs like video streaming and file-sharing services - to free up bandwidth and boost internet speeds. By performing this cleanup step, your internet speeds should increase substantially!

• You can launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go through the list of applications and processes and close the ones you don't need.

  

• Look for internet-hungry programs like video streaming or downloading applications, and terminate them.

  

Method 3: Disable Browser Extensions

Did you know that browser extensions you've installed could be secretly slowing down your internet speed? It's true! These extensions eat up a lot of resources and put extra load on your computer, ultimately affecting your browsing experience. Steps to remove or disable your extensions are below:

• Launch your browser > settings/options menu.

  

• Find extensions/add-ons section and remove/disable the ones you don't need.

  

Method 4: Move Your Computer Closer to the Router

Are you looking to speed up your internet connection quickly and effectively? To do so, try positioning yourself closer to the router! As distance increases between yourself and Wi-Fi networks, internet speed tends to drop.

Method 5: Upgrade Your Router

Invest in a brand-new router. That’s because outdated routers can only take you so far. If you've been using your old router/modem for a long time, it's time for an upgrade.

Method 6: Clear Cache and Browsing History

Boosting your internet speed is as easy as clearing out your cache and browsing history. Over time, your browser collects temporary files and cookies that can weigh it down and slow down its performance. By taking a moment to clear out these temporary files, you'll give your browser a fresh breath and enjoy a speedier internet experience.

To wipe browser cache/history on Chrome:

• Click the setting menu in the top-right corner, navigate to “More Tools” and select “Clear Browsing Data”.

  

• In the window, choose the browser data you want to wipe. To completely wipe all data, select “beginning of time” in the “Time range” option. Once set, click “Clear Data”.

  

Method 7: Use LAN Instead of Wi-Fi

If you are currently connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi, switching over to wired ethernet connections could provide faster and more stable speed than wireless networks - especially where long distances or congested areas with multiple Wi-Fi networks exist.

Method 8: Check for Windows Updates

Updating your operating system and drivers can help speed up your internet speed. That’s because updating Windows fixes any bugs or issues that might be slowing down your computer's performance.

To do that:

• Launch the Windows settings app by hitting the Windows Key + I.

  

• Click the "Update & Security" section and check updates for your system and drivers.

  

Method 9: Disable Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Applications

P2P file-sharing applications that can secretly slow down your internet speed. It is wise to disable file-sharing applications that you don't need. By doing this, you'll speed up your internet effectively. To do it.

• Launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

  

• Look for any P2P file sharing apps and end their processes.

Method 10: Check Network Adapter Settings

You can speed up your internet even more by checking and configuring your network adapter settings. Here's how you can do it:

• Open Settings App and navigate to the "Network & Internet" section.

  

• Look for the "Advanced Network Settings" and configure your router for your ISP’s best configuration.

  

Method 11: Use a Reputable Antivirus Software

Viruses and malware lurking on your computer are crucial factors that can seriously impact your internet speed. They consume your computer's resources and can significantly slow down your network connection. But the solution is simple: guard your computer against these viruses with reputable antivirus software.

Method 12: Disable Unwanted Startup Programs

Finally, disabling unwanted startup applications can also help increase your network speed by freeing up your PC’s precious resources. Below is a quick guide on how to disable startup apps on Windows:

• Launch Windows settings app by pressing the Windows key + I and Enter the "Apps" settings and select "Startup."

  

• Disable any apps that you think you won’t be needing or using frequently.

  

• Restart your PC.

Method 13: Upgrade Your Plan

After trying all these tips and methods, if you still have a slow internet speed, then upgrade your internet package plan from your ISP. A faster plan will ultimately provide you with faster internet and consequently faster upload and download speeds, improving your online experience.

Method 14: Update Network Drivers

Your internet speed can be significantly decreased by outdated or mismatched network drivers. Visit your network adapter manufacturer’s website and download and install the most recent and updated drivers for your version of Windows. Updating the drivers resolves compatibility issues and improves network performance.

Method 15: Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) help you to bypass ISP and location restrictions by connecting to servers internationally. Although VPN generally won't directly boost your internet speed if your ISP doesn't throttle your connection, it can prevent intentional network slowdowns imposed by your ISP. By encrypting and anonymizing your traffic and routing it through a different server, a VPN will help you maintain privacy and avoid ISP’s throttling. By doing all this, you’ll be able to ensure a smoother browsing experience.

Conclusion

There are various strategies you can employ on a Windows PC to speed up its internet, such as rebooting/resetting the router or clearing browser cache and history. Furthermore, disabling unnecessary programs, browser extensions or file-sharing applications may free up bandwidth while improving performance. By implementing these methods, you can enjoy a faster and smoother internet experience on your Windows computer or laptop.