How to Make Your Old Computer Feel New Again
Now you need to make sure that your operating system is current and that you have automatic updates enabled so you don’t have to think about it going forward. This helps keep your computer secure, and the updates can also fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features.
On a Mac, open System Settings and then click General > Software updates to install any outstanding updates. Also in this menu, you can click the “i” symbol next to Automatic Updates and toggle on all four options to keep your operating system and apps automatically updated.
In Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update and then select Check for updates. Download and install any updates that are currently outstanding. Windows 11 is already set to automatically download and install updates, but you can go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options and set your active hours so that Windows Update doesn’t run during your workday. Then open the Microsoft Store, click the portrait in the top-right corner, select Settings, and make sure the App updates toggle is enabled.
If you have a Windows PC, you should also check for driver updates to keep all your hardware in working order. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates. There you’ll find drivers to install for specific devices. Windows Update should take care of most drivers, but you may also want to check for and run any updates available in the app provided by your computer manufacturer—Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage, MyAsus, HP Support Assistant, or the like—to ensure that your PC continues to run smoothly.
If you have a gaming PC with a dedicated graphics card, you can also update your graphics drivers using the Nvidia App, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, or Intel Arc Control.
Even though future OS updates should download and install automatically, you may need to reboot your computer now and again to complete the update process. Be sure to do so when it asks!
