If you’ve ever had a computer emergency (think lost/unsaved work, virus freeze-ups, etc.), then you know how disrupting it can be. The best way to avoid a technical meltdown is to prevent the worst from happening before it even has a chance. Are you keeping your computer in optimal operating condition? Here are some things you should be doing:
Protect yourself against threats
In today’s world, just surfing the web can expose you to a variety of threats that can compromise both the health of your computer, as well as your personal data. Install reliable security software that will keep things like viruses, Trojans, spyware, and malware out of your operating system, and be sure to scan your computer often, just in case something threatening does slip through the cracks.
Clean up your hard disk
As you use your computer to browse the web, execute programming, and save files, your hard disk becomes full. It sometimes even gets unorganized and clogged up with stuff you’ll never again use. Make it a point to clean up your hard disk space on a monthly, or even weekly, basis. This means running the Disk Defrag function and launching the Disk Cleanup feature.
[Read also: How to Speed Up Your Computer]
Update your operating system and software
You know those pesky reminders that your computer needs updating? Well, you owe it to your computer (and to yourself) to follow those suggestions, no matter how tempting it may be to put it off until later. Somewhere out there is a team of people working day in and day out to fix bugs, amp up security, and otherwise make improvements to your operating system and software, and updates allow you to reap the benefits of all that hard work with just the click of a button. If your computer seems to be running slower (or is “glitchy” in behavior), or if some of your programs aren’t operating as they should, chances are you need to update.
[Read also: How to Keep Your Computer In Good Condition]
Organize your desktop
It is likely that on your desktop you have a number of shortcuts you never use and files you don’t need desktop access to. This takes up memory and can slow your computer down. Tuck desktop files away in appropriate folders and get rid of any icons you don’t use on a regular basis; you can always access them from the Start menu or file manager.
[Read also: Tips to Keep Your PC In Order]
Get rid of unused programs
Whether you use them or not, all of the programs on your computer take up valuable memory. Some of these programs may even be running in the background 100 percent of the time you are on your computer! Do yourself a favor and visit your uninstall feature; you might be surprised to find what’s in there.
As you can see, there are some very simple things you can do to keep your computer in tip-top shape, and none of them require that you hire a professional. Get into these great habits to keep your computer in optimal condition.
[Read also: Maintaining Your Computer Saves You Money on Repairs and New Purchases]
Good Tips Peter. Windows got some good built-in tools which you can use to defrag and cleanup your hard disks.
If you don’t have antivirus, you are doing yourself an injustice! That said, it is becoming less common, with more of us using smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks and Macs…
Do you think that you need anti-virus on your phone?
My computer is set to automatically update the Microsoft updates. I didn’t set it that way. It must have been pre-set to do so, which is probably a good thing. I know I would probably put it of otherwise. Most other software and programs are set that way too on my system, with a few minor exceptions that I prefer to be notified about first.
I do need to de-clutter. I do so, but I can’t seem to keep up with it. I clean it up, and next thing I know I got stuff all over the place again. Your site and posts do remind me I need to do some cleaning.
I always keep my files and folders organised in the right way. It helps very much in getting to the needed things quickly instead of finding them here and there. According to me, to keep a PC in best possible condition we need – Clean hard disk, updated programs, antivirus and our own wish to keep it in optimal condition 🙂
!!!!!!Backup Your Data!!!!
People always forget to take backup and later then, looses their precious data. Moreover, its always necessary to clean registry damages which plays crucial role in smooth running of your PC.
All in all, nice list peter that give clear idea to make your PC super fast and highly secured.