Blog and tips
Tips, guides and advice to take care of your computer equipment.
A five-minute read
For more complete guides, also see our computer advice.
5 simple steps to speed up your PCTips
Is your computer running slow? Before thinking about replacing it, try these 5 steps that can give it a boost right away.
1. Disable startup programs
Many programs launch automatically when you turn on your PC. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Startup tab and disable anything that isn't essential (Spotify, Discord, Skype...).
2. Free up disk space
A drive that is more than 90% full slows your system down considerably. Delete unnecessary files, empty the recycle bin and use the Disk Cleanup tool built into Windows.
3. Update your drivers
Outdated drivers can cause slowdowns and bugs. Check regularly for Windows updates and updates for your graphics card drivers.
4. Physically clean your PC
Accumulated dust causes overheating, which automatically slows down the processor. An annual clean is recommended.
5. Add RAM or switch to an SSD
If your PC has less than 8 GB of RAM or is still running on a classic hard drive (HDD), a hardware upgrade will make a dramatic difference.
How to protect yourself from viruses in 2026Security
Computer threats keep evolving. Here are the essential good practices to protect your computer and your personal data.
Is Windows Defender enough?
Good news: Windows Defender (built into Windows 10/11) has become an excellent antivirus. There's no need to pay for a third-party antivirus if you follow good practices.
The golden rules
- Never click links in suspicious emails or unknown texts
- Update your system and your software regularly
- Use different passwords for each site (a password manager helps a lot)
- Avoid pirated software: it often contains malware
- Back up your data regularly to an external drive or the cloud
Signs of infection
Your PC may be infected if:
- Adverts keep appearing non-stop
- Your browser opens on unknown pages
- The computer is unusually slow
- Unknown programs are installed
SSD vs HDD: why switching to SSD changes everythingHardware
Replacing a classic hard drive (HDD) with an SSD is the best upgrade you can make on an ageing computer. Here's why.
The difference in numbers
- Windows startup: around 60 seconds (HDD) versus 15 seconds (SSD)
- Opening programs: up to 10 times faster
- Copying files: 100 MB/s (HDD) versus more than 500 MB/s (SSD)
Why is it so fast?
An HDD uses a mechanical disk that physically spins to read data. An SSD uses flash memory (like a giant USB stick): no moving parts, instant access.
How much does it cost?
A 500 GB SSD costs between €40 and €60. At KDL TECH, replacement with cloning of your data is €80 in labour (excluding the cost of the SSD).
Compatible with my PC?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. SSDs come in 2.5-inch format (to replace a classic HDD) and M.2 format (for recent PCs). We check compatibility before any work.
Linux: the free solution for an old PCLinux
Is your PC too old for Windows 10 or 11? No need to throw it away. Linux can give it a second life, for free.
What is Linux?
Linux is a free and open source operating system, an alternative to Windows and macOS. It comes in several versions (distributions), some specially designed for old computers.
Why Linux for an old PC?
- Ultra-lightweight: runs with 2 GB of RAM (Windows 11 requires 4 GB minimum)
- Free: no licence to pay, ever
- Secure: almost no viruses on Linux
- Complete: web browser, office suite, multimedia... everything is included
Which distribution to choose?
For beginners coming from Windows, we recommend:
- Linux Mint: the closest to Windows, very intuitive
- Ubuntu: the most popular, plenty of documentation available
- Lubuntu: for really old PCs (1-2 GB of RAM)
What about my Windows software?
Most have free equivalents on Linux: LibreOffice (replaces Word/Excel), Firefox, VLC, Thunderbird... For specific cases, solutions exist.