What are some of the best practices for managing your startup programs and services?

1 Check your startup programs

The first step is to check which programs are set to run at startup, and disable or remove the ones you don't need. You can do this by using the Task Manager on Windows, or the System Preferences on Mac. Look for the Startup or Login Items tab, and review the list of programs. You can right-click or uncheck the ones you want to disable, and click Apply or OK. Be careful not to disable any essential programs, such as your antivirus or firewall, or any programs that you use frequently and want to launch faster.

2 Check your startup services

The next step is to check which services are running in the background, and disable or stop the ones you don't need. Services are different from programs, as they are not visible to the user, but they perform various functions for the system or other applications. You can access the services by using the Services app on Windows, or the Activity Monitor on Mac. Look for the Services or Processes tab, and review the list of services. You can right-click or select the ones you want to disable or stop, and click Disable or Quit. Again, be careful not to disable or stop any essential services, such as your network or security services, or any services that you depend on for your work or entertainment.

4 Adjust your power settings

The fourth step is to adjust your power settings to suit your needs and preferences. Your power settings affect how your system uses energy, and how it performs when plugged in or on battery. You can access your power settings by using the Power Options app on Windows, or the Energy Saver app on Mac. Look for the Power Plans or Battery tabs, and review the options available. You can choose from predefined plans or modes, such as Balanced, High Performance, or Power Saver, or you can customize your own plan or mode. You can also change the settings for when your system goes to sleep, hibernates, or shuts down.

5 Update your system and drivers

The fifth step is to update your system and drivers regularly, to ensure that they are compatible and secure. Updating your system and drivers can improve your performance, stability, and security, and can also fix any bugs or issues that might affect your startup programs and services. You can update your system and drivers by using the Windows Update app on Windows, or the Software Update app on Mac. Look for the Check for Updates or Update Now button, and follow the instructions. You can also check the websites of your hardware or software vendors for any updates or patches that they might offer.

6 Monitor your performance

The final step is to monitor your performance regularly, and make adjustments as needed. You can monitor your performance by using the Task Manager on Windows, or the Activity Monitor on Mac. Look for the Performance or CPU tabs, and review the graphs and indicators that show how your system is using its resources, such as memory, disk, or network. You can also look for the Startup Impact or Energy Impact columns, and see how your startup programs and services affect your performance. If you notice any problems or slowdowns, you can try to disable or remove some of the startup programs or services that are causing them, or use some of the computer maintenance tools to optimize your system.