New Delhi, Nov. 19 -- A new Windows PC usually feels quick for the first few weeks. Then come the apps, browser tabs, external drives, and updates, and suddenly everything starts to drag. Most people blame "an old machine" and start thinking about new hardware. In many cases, though, Windows simply isn't using its own tools well. A handful of lesser known settings can help your PC handle everyday work better. They won't turn a basic laptop into a high end rig, but they can clear some of the friction you feel in daily use. These are four features worth knowing about.

When you run out of RAM, Windows doesn't just give up. It starts using a reserved space on your drive as backup memory. This is called virtual memory. It's slower than real R...