Chromebooks are fast, durable, and very affordable, which is why they are a popular choice for those who need a computer for all purposes. However, many people complain that they slow down over time.
Don’t get us wrong — this is not a Chromebook problem. It is more of a “technological problem.” Your devices just don’t feel the same way when you use them for some time.
If you are in this category, too, and your Chromebook seems slowing down, we have good news for you. Here are some tips and helpful things you can do to optimize your Chromebook for faster running. Enjoy!
Review Your Apps and Extensions Periodically
You may not know, but those apps you don’t use are slowing down your device. Even if you don’t launch them, some run in the background, consuming your RAM and slowing down your overall performance.
But if you already know about unwanted apps, one that you may not be paying attention to is unwanted extensions. We are talking about those you installed on your Chrome for one-time use (and you probably won’t use them again).
Each time you open your browser, some of these extensions refresh themselves and, in extension, consume part of your bandwidth. That is why when you are gaming or playing in an online casino with Bitcoin, it feels like everything loads slowly.
In this case, you are better off without these unwanted extensions. If you’ll need them sometime later, just toggle them off so that the app is deactivated till you need it next.
Review Permissions
It is one thing to have an app or extension installed on your Chromebook, and it is another for you to give them extensive permissions. Since 2019, you can allow extensions to access data on your devices, and that includes things like:
- Access your browsing data when in use.
- Full access to your browsing data at all times.
- Zero access.
Not every app deserves full access. The less important an app is, the less permission it should have. This reduces the load that is running each time you connect to the internet, and in turn, your device will run faster.
Set Up Your Shortcuts
Chromebooks have several shortcuts that make you access certain options faster and, by extension, help your productivity. For instance, the Chromebook tray. We can compare it to a Windows taskbar or MacBook dock, but are you using it as often as you should be?
For starters, your tray should have only the apps and websites you use frequently. Here are some things you can do:
- Add a Favorite Website: First, open the desired website. Once it is fully loaded, click the menu button (the three vertical dots) and look for an option like “create shortcut.” You can also take it further by selecting the “open as window” option.
- Add Apps: To add apps, you need to find them in your launcher. Then, hover on the icon and right-click to bring up some options. Select the “pin to shelf” option, and the app will become permanent on your tray.
If you don’t want an app on your shelf again, you can always right-click on it and unpin it.
Use Universal Voice Inputs
You probably know about Siri in MacBooks, but do you know that Chromebooks have their equivalent? Well, it may not be as personalized as Siri, but it exists. We call it universal voice input, and it is very useful for making your work faster.
To enable it, go to your Chrome settings and look for accessibility in your advanced options. There, look for “manage accessibility features” and enable dictation.
Once you enable it, you will see a mini microphone icon in the lower right of your screen. Whenever you want to give a voice command, tap it and speak. You can treat it just like an iOS user treats Siri.
Empty Your Cloud Storage and Sync Download Folder
One major way to free up space on your Chromebook is to sync your downloads folder to Google Drive. That way, your downloads will not be saved locally but in the cloud, meaning that you have more space within your local storage.
We also advise you to skim through your files app periodically. Most times, you tend to lose track of the organization, and before you know it, there is a huge clutter. And from experience, several unneeded files are in this clutter, taking up your precious space. So, be sure to go through it every couple of months to eliminate the unwanted ones.
Wrap Up
Chromebooks are undoubtedly very effective and durable. But without proper organization, they will gradually become slow until it is very visible. By utilizing the tips we gave for optimization, you can put yourself ahead of the curve and make it run as well as possible. Whatever you do, make it count!
