We’ve all heard it: regularly shutting down your computer is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. But let’s be honest—constantly rebooting can be a hassle. For convenience, many of us, myself included, often leave our PCs running or simply put them to sleep. Curious about the actual impact, I decided to keep my Windows 11 laptop running nonstop for three months. Here are the PC performance tips I gathered from this experiment and why you might want to reconsider your shutdown habits.
Why I Avoided Shutting Down
Call it laziness or efficiency, but not having to start up my PC every time I need to work is incredibly convenient. I’m often juggling long-term projects with numerous browser tabs open, notes apps, Photoshop sessions, and Spotify playing my favorite playlist. Shutting down would mean closing and reopening everything, which is time-consuming. By keeping my laptop on or in sleep mode, I could resume work instantly without missing a beat.
Additionally, I’ve turned one of my Windows PCs into a streaming server with Plex, requiring it to stay on to access content. When the PC is off or asleep, it can’t stream media. This setup is common for those using remote desktop applications, cloud backup software, or smart home hubs controlling lights, cameras, and other IoT devices.
The Experiment’s Outcome
Better Than Expected
Surprisingly, my laptop remained stable throughout the three months. I anticipated numerous issues or significant performance degradation, but Windows 11 handled continuous operation impressively well. There were minor quirks—occasional brief lag or the fan spinning up unexpectedly—but these were infrequent and didn’t hinder my productivity.
The most notable issue was with Google Chrome. With a multitude of tabs open and no system restart, Chrome began to slow down, occasionally crashing or struggling to keep up. This highlighted the importance of regular reboots for optimal performance—an essential PC performance tip.
Battery drain wasn’t a significant issue either. After a day of heavy use and a full charge, I’d unplug the laptop, put it to sleep overnight, and by morning, the battery had only decreased by about 4%.
Why You Should Still Reboot Your PC
Trust These PC Performance Tips
While keeping your laptop on doesn’t drastically affect performance or battery life in the short term, there are compelling reasons to shut down or restart your PC periodically:
- Apply System Updates EffectivelyMany Windows updates require a restart to install properly. Delaying these restarts can leave your system vulnerable to security risks and software bugs. Regular reboots ensure updates are applied, keeping your PC secure and running efficiently. For more information, visit Microsoft’s Update Guide.
- Improve System PerformanceOver time, your computer’s memory (RAM) fills up with temporary data. Restarting clears this clutter, freeing up resources and often making your PC run faster. This simple PC performance tip can enhance speed and responsiveness.
- Fix Software GlitchesMinor software issues and glitches can accumulate without regular restarts. Rebooting can resolve these problems, reducing crashes and improving overall stability.
- Enhance SecurityShutting down your computer reduces the risk of cyberattacks. An offline device is less accessible to hackers, protecting your sensitive personal or client-related information. Learn more at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
- Conserve EnergyIf you’re away for an extended period, shutting down saves energy and reduces wear on hardware components, extending the life of your device.
Keep Your PC Running Smoothly
Whether you decide to shut down your PC regularly is up to you. However, these PC performance tips highlight the benefits of occasional reboots. They help apply critical updates, improve performance, fix software issues, enhance security, and conserve energy. Incorporating regular restarts into your routine can keep your computer running smoothly and prolong its lifespan.
