Top 10 settings to enhance Macbook performance

Having too many applications start up when you power on your Macbook can slow it down and even cause it to freeze. To fix this, disable automatic startup for apps and only launch them when needed. To manage startup programs, click the Apple icon, select System Preferences, then go to User & Groups --> Login Items to add or remove apps using the + and - buttons below.

Note: Some apps, like Viber, may not turn off through this method (even if you remove them from Login Items, they may still launch at startup). In this case, you will need to go into Viber's settings and disable the auto-start option.

One useful feature of CleanMyMac 3 is cleaning up Launch Agents—small helper apps that run in the background and automatically start other programs when needed. It's a good idea to periodically review and clean this list, removing unnecessary items to improve your Macbook's performance.

In CleanMyMac 3, go to Extensions --> Launch Agents and uncheck any apps you don't need.

Transparent effects and animations can enhance the appearance of your Macbook interface, but they also consume valuable graphic resources and slow down the system. If you're looking to improve performance, you can reduce these effects. To do so, go to System Preferences, select Accessibility --> Display --> Check Reduce Transparency.

Additionally, you can head to System Preferences --> Dock and choose Scale Effect under Minimize windows using to further reduce unnecessary visual effects.

Your web browser is often one of the main culprits for slowing down your Macbook as it can consume a significant amount of RAM. Especially third-party browsers like Chrome, Cốc Cốc, and Opera, which may not be perfectly optimized for Macbooks.

To minimize this impact, make sure to close unnecessary tabs after use (if your Macbook has between 4 - 8 GB of RAM). However, if you have a newer Macbook with 16 GB of RAM or more, your browser is unlikely to cause any noticeable slowdowns.

Additionally, if possible, try using Safari, the default browser on Macbooks, as it is optimized to work seamlessly with your device.

The FileVault Disk Encryption feature is enabled by default on macOS since Yosemite. It's a valuable tool for protecting your files and preventing unauthorized access if your Macbook is stolen.

However, on older Macbook Airs and Macbook Pros, this encryption can sometimes cause performance slowdowns. To turn it off, go to System Preferences, select Security & Privacy --> FileVault, and click Turn Off.

Note: If your Macbook doesn't experience significant delays when booting or logging in, it’s best to leave this feature enabled.

Macbooks have limited storage, especially those with smaller SSDs, such as 128GB or 256GB models. Therefore, freeing up storage space can help improve your Macbook's performance. To check your disk status, click the Apple icon, select About This Mac, go to Storage --> Manage, and remove any unnecessary applications.

If the previous solutions haven't provided the desired results, consider reinstalling the operating system on your MacBook. This is a highly effective method for improving performance, applicable to all devices, including iPhones and iPads. Although it may take some time, your MacBook will be restored to a clean, fresh state as if it were new.

Reinstalling macOS is much simpler than on Windows. You won't need any external tools. Just remember to back up your data beforehand. Then, restart your Mac and hold down Command + R during startup to access macOS Utilities. Select Reinstall macOS and wait for the process to complete.

A major reason why your Macbook may be running slowly is due to the accumulation of unnecessary junk files. Cleaning them up is essential, and CleanMyMac 3 is the perfect app to help you do so quickly and efficiently. Not only does it clean temporary files, but it also removes unnecessary startup items, deletes unwanted system plugins, and permanently wipes leftover files when uninstalling applications.

MacPaw offers two versions of CleanMyMac 3: a free version and a paid version. The free version allows you to clean up to 500MB of space, with some features limited. The paid version offers full functionality, priced at $39.95 for one Mac, $59.95 for two Macs, and $89.95 for five Macs.

Download link: https://macpaw.com/cleanmymac

Activity Monitor on your Macbook is similar to Task Manager on Windows, allowing you to monitor running processes and identify those that are consuming excessive system resources. To open it, press Command + Space to launch Spotlight search, type Activity Monitor, and press Enter.

In Activity Monitor, you can check which apps are using the most CPU, RAM, and disk space. To close an application, select it and click the X button in the top left corner of the app window.

A basic yet commonly overlooked tip: when you click the red (X) button to close an app, it doesn’t actually quit. The app continues running in the background, using resources. If you have several apps running in the background, this can slow down your Mac as it still consumes system resources.

To fully close an app, press Command + Q or right-click the app in the taskbar and select Quit.