The Best Methods To Make Your Old Laptop Run SIGNIFICANTLY Faster

Many people have an old laptop lying around that they don’t use anymore. Maybe you have upgraded to a newer one, and the old laptop is just too slow for you now. These older laptops often get passed down to younger siblings or thrown away since slow laptops can be really frustrating to work with.

But what if we told you there is a way to breathe life into your old laptop again? This is done by installing a new operating system that is extremely lightweight and doesn’t require a lot of specs to run properly.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

The Best Free OS To Make Your Old Laptop Faster

In this article, we will discuss two operating systems that we think are the best for running on your old laptops. These are:

Tiny11

ChromeOS

Tiny11 - Windows 11 Tiny Edition

Tiny11 is a free operating system modeled after Windows 11, aiming to minimize the number of default apps to ensure efficient performance. It removes unnecessary components while retaining essential functionality. This reduction in default apps significantly reduces the storage requirements from 64 GB to just 8 GB.

It is a streamlined version of Windows 11 created by the third-party developer NTDev. They are known for their extensive work with Windows operating systems.

Tiny11 closely resembles Windows 11 but stands out by eliminating unnecessary preloaded applications, resulting in a similar user experience but without any bloatware. This optimization allows even low-powered computers to run the operating system smoothly without sacrificing speed.

In essence, Tiny11 serves as a Windows 11 clone. Its purpose is not to infringe upon Microsoft’s rights but to offer a streamlined operating system version. While the original Windows 11 has relatively high system requirements, Tiny11 includes only the essentials needed to ensure the system functions smoothly. Users can still access the Microsoft App Store to download any desired apps or games onto their devices.

How To Download and Install Tiny11 On Your Laptop?

To install the Tiny11 ISO and set up this compact version of Windows 11 on your older PC, follow these steps:

1. Visit archive.org to download the Tiny11 ISO file.
2. Click “Login to view this item” and log in with your credentials or use your Google account.
3. If redirected to the homepage after logging in, click the download link again.
4. Choose the appropriate ISO file based on your computer’s TPM support:

• For TPM-supported systems, download “tiny11b2.iso.”
• For systems without TPM support, download “tiny11b2(no sysreq).iso.”

1. After downloading the ISO image, get Rufus to create a bootable drive.
2. Open Rufus and click the “Select” button next to “Boot selection.”
3. Browse to the location where you saved the ISO image and select it.
4. Determine the correct Partition Schema based on your computer’s BIOS Mode:

• If your BIOS Mode is Legacy, use MBR.
• If it’s UEFI, select GPT.

1. Click “Start” in Rufus to create the bootable drive.
2. Access your computer’s BIOS settings to boot from the drive.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the OS installation.

Once you’ve successfully installed Windows 11 Tiny Edition on your PC, taking precautions to safeguard your data is advisable. To prevent potential data loss and facilitate a swift system recovery, consider creating a backup or generating a system image using MiniTool ShadowMaker, which is Windows 11 backup software.

Pros and Cons Of Tiny11

Pros

• Requires minimal memory space
• Runs smoothly even with 2GB RAM
• Compact file size
• Built on Windows 11 22H2

Cons

• Lacks a default web browser
• Not suitable for typical/general users
• Absence of support for traditional Chinese
• Occasional system instability
• Not recognized or supported by Microsoft, meaning it won’t receive official updates or support.
• You cannot update Tiny11, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security issues.

Chrome OS

Chrome OS, developed and owned by Google, is an open-source Linux operating system. It is designed for netbooks and tablet PCs that rely on web-based applications and remote data storage. It consumes significantly less hard drive space than Windows 7 and has a rapid boot time of approximately seven seconds.

Released in July 2009 under the BSD license, Chrome OS is built on a Linux kernel and is compatible with Intel x86 and ARM chips. Its primary local software application is Google’s web browser, Chrome.

Both Chrome OS and its browser share an automatic update feature, allowing Google to deliver updates through a secure sockets layer (SSL). Chrome OS is not available for individual download, but Google collaborates with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to produce hardware devices compatible with the OS.

Chrome OS has a user-friendly interface, resembling the desktop environment found in Windows, but primarily functions as a web browser. Most Chrome OS devices released in or after 2017 offer access to the Google Play Store, allowing users to use apps compatible with Android phones. However, not all apps are optimized for Chrome OS; some may run in a phone screen format.

How To Download and Install Chrome OS On Your Laptop

Prerequisites for Installing Chromium OS:

Before beginning to download Chrome OS, first prepare by following these steps:

• Download your device’s latest Chromium version or explore alternatives like FydeOS or Solus.
• You’ll need a program to boot the OS image from USB; for example, you can use Etcher.
• Prepare an empty USB drive with at least 8 GB of capacity.
• Back up any important data from the USB drive before proceeding.

Steps to Install Chromium OS:

1. Download Chromium OS from a reputable source like Arnold the Bat’s website.
2. Extract the downloaded image file using 7-Zip or similar software.
3. Prepare your USB drive by formatting it as FAT32 (Windows) or using Disk Utility (macOS).
4. Use Etcher to install the Chromium image onto the USB drive.

• Open Etcher and select “Flash from file,” then choose the Chromium OS image.
• Select the USB drive as the target.
• Click “Flash” to create a bootable Chromium OS USB drive.

1. Restart your PC and access the BIOS settings (F8, F10, F12, Del, or as per your BIOS) to set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
2. Restart and hold the Option key to access the boot menu on Mac, then select the USB drive.
3. Boot into Chromium OS without installing it to test its functionality.
4. If satisfied, you can proceed with the installation, which typically involves choosing the option to install Chromium OS alongside or replace your existing operating system.

Pros and Cons of Chrome OS

Pros

• Suitable for budget-friendly computers and low-cost hardware.
• Offers strong security with automatic updates.
• Supports Android apps, expanding functionality.
• Quick boot-up times.
• Seamlessly integrates with various Google services.
• Allows integration with Android phones.

Cons

• Some Android apps may not work optimally.
• Printer management capabilities are limited.
• The presence of two separate app stores can lead to confusion.
• Requires signing in with a Google account for access.

Comparison and Conclusion

Now that we have covered Tiny11 and Chrome OS separately, it is time to compare them to see which suits your needs.

Chrome OS Flex has higher minimum system requirements and operates within the Chrome Browser environment, while Tiny 11 has lower system requirements. However, it may require additional effort to create the .iso file.

Moreover, Tiny11 falls short in terms of the available app selection compared to Chrome OS, and it also lags in receiving updates. Additionally, Chrome OS Flex is notably more stable than Tiny11.

The installation process for Chrome OS is more straightforward in comparison to Tiny11. Tiny11 is not for general computing tasks but specialized applications demanding efficiency and a small footprint.

In contrast, Chrome OS Flex is tailored for Chromebook laptops and similar devices. It builds upon the Chrome web browser and offers a simplified interface optimized for web-centric computing and productivity. Chrome OS Flex excels in cloud-based computing and tightly integrates with Google’s services like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs.

In summary, Tiny 11 and Chrome OS Flex are distinct operating systems suited to different objectives and usage scenarios. The choice between them depends on specific user or organizational needs. They serve particular purposes and target different usage scenarios.