Speed & Performance (The "My Computer is Slow" Guide)

Laptop has too many Startup apps

• Click the Apple Menu  > System Settings.

• Go to General in the sidebar, then click Login Items.

• Under the Open at Login list, select the apps you don't need immediately and click the Minus (–) button to remove them.

• heck the Allow in the Background section below it. Toggle OFF any apps (like Zoom, Adobe, or Skype) that don't need to be running 24/7.

Note: Disabling background items significantly improves battery life and speed.

Use Built-in Optimization:

• Click the Apple Menu  > System Settings.

• Go to General > Storage.

• Review the Recommendations section. Click Optimize next to "Store in iCloud" or "Optimize Storage" to automatically remove watched movies and old email attachments.

Manual Cleanup:

• Open Finder and go to your Downloads folder.

• Click the Size column to sort by the largest files.

• Right-click large, unused files and select Move to Trash.

Empty the Trash: Unlike Windows, Mac storage isn't "freed" until you physically empty the trash. Right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash.

A loud fan usually means your laptop is working hard to cool down the processor due to High System Load or Poor Airflow. To quiet the fan and speed up your computer, follow these steps:

Check the Surface: Never use your laptop on a bed, pillow, or carpet. This blocks the intake vents. Always use a hard, flat surface.

Elevate the Laptop: Use a laptop stand or even a small book placed under the back edge of the device. This increases airflow to the vents underneath and helps the heat escape faster.

Identify the Heat Seeker app:

• Press Cmd + Space, type Activity Monitor, and press Enter.

• Click the CPU tab at the top

• Click the % CPU column to sort by the highest usage.

• Select any app using >30% CPU that you aren't using and click the X at the top of the window to Force Quit.

Check for Updates: Go to the Apple Menu () > System Settings > General > Software Update.