Operating System Tweak

• Windows has an extensive array of options that you can use to adjust the speed that your laptop runs at. Right-click the battery icon in the system tray and select "Power Options" to access this menu. Under "Select a Power Plan," click "Change Plan Settings," and then click "Change Advanced Power Settings." Locate the "Processor Power Management" option, and set the value for "Maximum Processor State" to less than 100-percent. This tweak limits the maximum speed of the processor, reducing the heat that it produces.
  
  

Cooling Stand

• Several companies manufacture laptop cooling stands. A cooling stand elevates the laptop slightly, allowing maximum airflow for the intake vent. Many laptop cooling stands also have their own fans to augment the computer's own cooling system. Avoid placing your laptop on any surface that prevents air from entering the intake vent. If you place your laptop on your legs, consider placing the laptop on a book to prevent discomfort from heat. In 2006, tech website Overclockers Club reviewed a laptop cooling stand by Antec and found that it reduced the bottom surface temperature of a laptop by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  

Cleaning

• The cooling system of your laptop can only bring cool air in and warm air out if the vents are open. Check your laptop's vents periodically, and remove dust and other contaminants with compressed air or a small vacuum. If you open the laptop to give it a thorough cleaning, avoid touching the delicate internal components of the laptop with the vacuum.
  
  

Thermal Compound Replacement

• The cooling system in a laptop transfers heat away from the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) via metal plates. Under each plate is a small amount of thermal compound, which aids in heat transfer. Several companies manufacture high-end thermal compound which is said to be superior to the compound used by computer manufacturers. If you are accustomed to upgrading and repairing computers, consider replacing the thermal compound in your laptop. Tech website Inside My Laptop attempted this with an HP Compaq laptop, and found that the CPU temperature dropped by 13 degrees Fahrenheit.