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bingkahu (Matteo)
bingkahu (Matteo)

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VS Code Performance Setup for Low-End Machines (My Real Workflow)

#productivity #hardware #programming #vscode

After writing about optimising my old Ryzen 7 3700U laptop, I wanted to go deeper into one specific tool: VS Code. It’s my main editor, but on older hardware it can feel slow, especially during startup or when switching between large files. Over time, I’ve built a setup that keeps VS Code responsive even on a low-end machine.

This is the exact configuration I use on my Gateway GWNR71539 running Windows 11 Home.

My Machine

  • Gateway GWNR71539
  • Ryzen 7 3700U
  • 16 GB RAM
  • Vega 10 graphics
  • Windows 11 Home
  • Daily tools: Python, GitHub Desktop, WSL, VS Code

The Problems I Had

Before tuning anything, VS Code had a few issues:

  • Slow startup
  • Extensions taking too long to activate
  • High RAM usage with multiple windows
  • Stutters when switching files
  • CPU spikes when using the integrated terminal

Most of this wasn’t VS Code’s fault — it was my hardware. But with the right setup, it became much smoother.

1. Removing Unnecessary Extensions

Extensions are the biggest cause of slow startup. I removed anything I didn’t use regularly and kept only:

  • Python
  • GitLens
  • Prettier
  • WSL
  • A theme
  • A file icon pack

Everything else was slowing things down.

2. Disabling Extension Auto-Activation

Some extensions activate even when you don’t need them. I disabled auto-activation for anything non-essential.

Add this to settings.json:

{
  "extensions.autoCheckUpdates": false,
  "extensions.autoUpdate": false,
  "extensions.ignoreRecommendations": true
}
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3. Turning Off Telemetry and Crash Reporting

Telemetry isn’t heavy, but on older CPUs every background task matters.

{
  "telemetry.telemetryLevel": "off",
  "telemetry.enableCrashReporter": false
}
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4. Enabling Performance Mode

VS Code has a performance mode that disables some animations and features that slow things down.

{
  "workbench.experimental.usePerformanceMode": true
}
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5. Switching to a Lightweight Theme

Heavy themes slow down rendering. I switched to a minimal theme with no fancy effects. It made scrolling smoother and reduced CPU usage during typing.

6. Disabling Workspace Trust

Workspace Trust adds security, but it also adds overhead. On a personal machine, I don’t need it.

{
  "security.workspace.trust.enabled": false
}
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7. Optimising the Integrated Terminal

The terminal renderer was causing CPU spikes. I switched to a simpler renderer:

{
  "terminal.integrated.gpuAcceleration": "off",
  "terminal.integrated.rendererType": "dom"
}
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8. Reducing File Watcher Load

VS Code watches files for changes, but on Windows this can be heavy. I excluded folders I never touch.

{
  "files.watcherExclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/.git": true,
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/build": true
  }
}
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9. Using a Single-Window Workflow

Opening multiple VS Code windows on a low-end machine is a guaranteed way to hit 100% RAM. I switched to a single-window workflow and use tabs instead.

This alone made a big difference.

10. Keeping Projects Clean

Large projects slow down indexing. I now:

  • Delete old virtual environments
  • Clear out unused folders
  • Remove old logs
  • Keep dependencies minimal

A clean project loads faster and uses less RAM.

Results

After applying all these changes:

  • VS Code opens in a few seconds
  • Extensions activate faster
  • Terminal is smoother
  • CPU spikes are less frequent
  • RAM usage is more stable
  • Switching files feels instant

It’s still an older laptop, but VS Code now feels genuinely usable and responsive.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a high-end machine to write code. VS Code can run well on older hardware if you tune it properly. These changes helped me get more life out of my Ryzen 7 3700U laptop, and hopefully they help someone else in the same situation.

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