Keep it tidy
Most people know this, but it bears repeating that an easy way to keep your computer running efficiently is to run disk cleanup which will gather up all unnecessary files, allow you to see how much space you could free up, and confirm their removal to ensure you are aware of the clutter as well as making sure you don’t delete something you may want. Another thing to run is Disk Defrag, and this utility scans your hard drive for misplaced, scattered, and fragmented data and puts them all in an organized pile to make it easier for your programs to find therefore speeding them up because it does not have to search everywhere for the required bits of information it needs.
Keep it secure
Viruses, spyware, malware, and other nastiness can cause your computer to slow down and eventually crash if not taken care of properly. There are plenty of free software options out there, including AVG or Microsoft Security Essentials to help eradicate the germs from your machine. Make sure to keep it updated regularly, as well as set it up to run a scan on a regular schedule preferably while you are not using it so it can run undisturbed.
Keep it updated
Windows regularly releases updates and patches to keep your computer running in tip top shape, as well as closing security holes that hackers can use to take control of your system and turn it into a zombie for their nefarious uses. Updating your computer will also keep it from having compatibility issues with newer software. Make sure to have them downloaded and installed automatically to ensure that your computer is always up to date to minimize the exploits available to viruses.
Keep it Bloatware free
When you first receive a new PC, it has a lot of unneeded trial software on it to either advertise their programs or to get you to buy the full version. These can be easily be uninstalled by going to Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs. Click on the unwanted program and let Windows do the rest.
Keep it cookie free
When you visit a website, cookies are saved to speed up the time it takes for your browser to load it. Not often will the same website offer up the same content, so clearing them out will clear up precious space on your hard drive. Keep cookies in place for websites that you visit frequently however, such as banks, email providers, and social networking sites to speed up your browsers load time. Deleting temporary internet files will also clear up a good chunk of processing memory.
Keep the fan clear and clean
The fan that keeps your CPU ventilated gets blocked by dust from time to time, so keeping it free of blockage will allow your computer to run without overheating. Spray compressed air at the vents to blow away the crud and keep your PC breathing and at a cool level continuously.
Keep the startup programs at a minimum
By opening up the start menu and looking for your startup folder you can pick and choose what programs Windows loads when the computer is booting up. You can also reach this by typing in msconfig in the start menu search bar and clicking the startup tab. By turning off unneeded startup programs Windows will boot faster because it will have a shorter list of tasks to complete. Take care not to disable any programs that are crucial to Windows though.
Keep your RAM at a beefy level
RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the virtual memory that your computer uses every time it opens up a file or program, and when it gets full it cannot open anything else so having a higher amount lessens the work it has to do, as well as allowing you to do more stuff at one time. The only way to clear up space is to close what you have open or reboot so not having to do that as often will increase your productivity as well.
Keep it original for last resort
As computers get older they begin to accumulate a lot of unnecessary clutter as well as registry errors that clog up and choke the speed out of your computer. A rather drastic way to speed up your computer’s performance is to do a full system restore. This option should be reserved for worst case scenarios, or for users that really need a fresh start. Make sure to back up all of your important files and documents before you do this because you will lose them upon completion. To start this process, do a search on your favorite search engine for details because they vary by manufacturer. The process is irreversible, so be 100% sure it is what you want to do because everything you have will be gone, and it will be returned to the exact state it was in when you first plugged it in. Having your boot disk is a great way to recover from any errors that may occur. If the settings of your OS do not load correctly, you will still be able to use your computer by opening the BIOS menu to tell Windows to boot first from the CD-ROM just in case you have to re-install your operating system.
For tips and advice on how to protect your privacy online check out: How To Protect Your Privacy In A Digital World