If you’re experiencing slow system performance on your Windows 10 computer, you may have heard about disabling superfetch as a potential solution. But what exactly is superfetch, and how can you disable it? In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of superfetch and provide step-by-step instructions on how to disable it on your Windows 10 device.
What is Superfetch?
Superfetch is a Windows service that was introduced in Windows Vista and is still present in Windows 10. Its purpose is to improve system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. This allows for faster access to these applications, as they are already loaded and ready to go.
Superfetch works by analyzing your usage patterns and determining which applications you use most frequently. It then preloads these applications into memory, so they are readily available when you need them. This can be especially helpful for applications that take a long time to load, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop.
How Does Superfetch Affect System Performance?
While superfetch is designed to improve system performance, it can also have the opposite effect. If you have a lot of applications that are frequently used, superfetch can take up a significant amount of memory, which can slow down your system.
Additionally, if you have a solid-state drive (SSD), superfetch may not provide any noticeable performance improvements. This is because SSDs already have fast access times, so preloading applications into memory may not make a significant difference.
How to Disable Superfetch on Windows 10
Now that you understand what superfetch is and how it can affect your system performance, let’s dive into how to disable it on your Windows 10 device.
Step 1: Open the Services Window
The first step is to open the Services window. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Then, type “services.msc” and press Enter.
Step 2: Locate the Superfetch Service
In the Services window, scroll down until you find the “Superfetch” service. You can also use the search bar at the top to quickly locate it.
Step 3: Open the Superfetch Properties
Right-click on the Superfetch service and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Stop the Superfetch Service
In the Superfetch Properties window, click on the “Stop” button under the “Service status” section. This will stop the superfetch service from running.
Step 5: Disable the Superfetch Service
Under the “Startup type” section, select “Disabled” from the drop-down menu. This will prevent the superfetch service from starting up automatically when you restart your computer.
Step 6: Apply the Changes
Click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window to save your changes.
Step 7: Restart Your Computer
To ensure that the changes take effect, you will need to restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, superfetch will be disabled.
Other Ways to Speed Up Your System
While disabling superfetch can help improve system performance, there are other steps you can take to speed up your Windows 10 device.
Clear Temporary Files
Over time, temporary files can accumulate on your computer and take up valuable space. These files can also slow down your system. To clear temporary files, go to Settings > System > Storage and click on “Temporary files.” Then, select the types of files you want to delete and click on “Remove files.”
Disable Startup Programs
Having too many programs set to start automatically when you turn on your computer can slow down your system. To disable startup programs, go to Task Manager > Startup and disable any programs that you don’t need to start automatically.
Perform a Disk Cleanup
Performing a disk cleanup can help free up space on your hard drive and improve system performance. To do this, go to File Explorer > This PC, right-click on your hard drive, and select “Properties.” Then, click on “Disk Cleanup” and select the files you want to delete.
Conclusion
Disabling superfetch on your Windows 10 device can help improve system performance, especially if you have a lot of frequently used applications. However, it’s important to note that disabling superfetch may not provide noticeable improvements for all users. If you’re still experiencing slow system performance after disabling superfetch, consider trying other methods to speed up your computer.
