Tips for your Computer Maintenance

PC maintenance is an important topic for anyone who owns a Personal Computer (PC). Looking after your PC properly can ensure it gives you trouble-free use. Regular PC maintenance also keeps the machine's performance optimal. There are five tasks that are part of the suggested maintenance for your PC.

1.      Windows Updates

2.      Spyware & Virus definition Updates and Scan

3.      File & Folder Cleaning

4.      Hard Drive Defragmentation

The first task that should be done when performing maintenance on your PC is to ensure that it has all the latest Windows security updates. Below is a procedure on how to manually run the Windows Update wizard.

Install Windows Updates

• Connect to the Internet
• Click on either the Windows Update or Microsoft Update icon
• Click either the Custom or Express button:
• Custom – All updates (High Priority, Software Optional, Hardware Optional Updates)
• Express – High Priority Updates Only
• The Update wizard will scan your PC and notify you what updates are recommended.
• To install individual updates, click to select the check boxes next to the updates that you want. You can run multiple updates. If any of the selected updates is an exclusive item that must be installed separately from other updates, you receive a message that indicates which update needs to be installed separately.
• Reboot the PC as directed.
• You may need to repeat this process a few times until ALL updates have been downloaded and installed.

 

Perform AntiSpyware & AntiVirus Scans

The second task that needs to be completed is to make sure that your AntiVirus &  AntiSpyware programs are fully up to date as well. You will need to follow the instructions that came with your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware programs. If you do not have either of these types of programs running on your PC, we highly recommend that you install some today. Here are the products we recommend:

AntiSpyware: Webroot SpySweeper www.webroot.com

AntiVirus (Standalone): Bitdefender Standard www.bitdefender.com

AntiSpyware & AntiVirus (Combination): Webroot SpySweeper with AntiVirus www.webroot.com

 

After you have updated your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware programs, you will need to perform a full system scan from each program. If your computer is scheduled to run these scans at least once a month you can disregard the running this scan at this time. It is recommended that you run the above system scans once a week. 

Remove Temporary & Junk Files
The third task is to clean your PC of all the temporary and junk files that are lurking on it and slowing it down. You can do this one file at a time or you can use a program that will do it for you. I recommend the use of the following program: CCleaner. This is a free program and can be downloaded here: www.ccleaner.com

Once you install this program, use the default settings for your cleaning. The CCleaner program removes all the unwanted files that buildup on your PC over time and will help you gain back some of your computers speed.

 

NOTE: It is recommended that you only use the cleaner portion of this program. If you are a more experienced computer user, then the use of the other built-in tools may be helpful to you.

The fourth task is to perform a scan of your hard drive to ensure that it is functioning correctly.

Hard Drive Defrag

Windows XP offers a program that will defrag your hard drive:

• Right-click the drive's icon in Windows Explorer and select:
• Properties
• Tools
• Defragmentation

 

NOTE: You may have more than one hard drive or partition showing – select the C:\drive. Press the Defragment button on the bottom of your screen. This process may be time consuming. Once completed – turn your screensaver back on and reboot your PC. This should be done once a month at a minimum.

 

As stated before, periodic maintenance should be done on your PC in order to keep your computer running optimally. All five steps should be done at least once a month. Step 2 (AntiVirus & AntiSpyware Scanning) is recommended to be done once a week.

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