You can find computers nowadays in a number of different sizes and shapes. These devices are used to keep us all connected to the digital world. Whether you use your computer for play or work, you’ll want to ensure it’s in tip-top condition, to ensure its longevity. When a computer is properly maintained, it will last longer, run faster and work more reliably. 

Making sure your computer is in optimal shape, will lengthen the overall life of the system. An error prone operating system, overheating system or a laptop with a fast-draining battery are things that can be avoided, if you just spend a little time maintaining things. So, for this article, we will be looking at 7 things that you can and should do, to ensure your system runs as fast as possible, for as long as possible.

1. Wipe Your Monitor 

It’s not unusual for stains and fingerprint marks to appear on your monitor. To minimise this issue, keeping it looking clean and fresh, you’ll want to wipe it down, at least once per week, using a lint-free cloth. Make sure you take the necessary precautions when wiping it, as you do not want to damage the screen in the process.

Sometimes, when you purchase a system it will come bundled with a microfiber cleaning cloth, so you can start with that or at least go out and buy one, especially designed for cleaning PC components.

2. Manage Your Email

If you don’t stay ahead of things, your email account can quickly become cluttered. When you have an inbox that is filled up with junk email, it can make it much harder for you to find the actual emails that are of importance to you.

One thing you can do, as part of your regular computer maintenance duties, is to unsubscribe from any newsletters that you no longer read. You can also go a step further and implement an email filter, so that only you’re most important messages go into your main inbox. This way, things will appear much cleaner, organised and less cluttered.

3. Update Windows

If you’re interested in the most basic of maintenance chores, then you should consider updating your operating system. Regardless of the operating system you’re on (Linux, Mac, Windows), updating your system the moment a new patch is made available will ensure that your system remains relevant, with access to the latest features and capabilities.

If you’re on Windows 10, then it should be automatically configured to check for updates, every day. These automated scans will be carried out in the background with the end users only being notified if and when a new update is found. You’re objective is to ensure your operating system is running optimally at all times, which means, you should update it, whenever a new update is discovered and made available.

Note: Not all updates are made equally, which means, some will take longer than others to complete. For this reason, you’ll want to set aside some time, where your system will be able to carry out said updates without interruption.

4. Run Regular Virus Scans

Malware attacks are a never ending threat that can rear its ugly head at any time, for this reason, you’ll want to ensure your system is protected with the latest antivirus software. You can schedule virus scanners to run automatically every day, week or month, depending on what best suits your needs. These tools also have different kinds of scans, a basic scan will do a simple glance over key files and folders, looking for viruses.

If you’re someone who’s always on the internet, constantly downloading new files and programs, then you should consider running a virus scan at least once per week. It’s best to be safe than sorry, because a virus can cause irreparable damage, in the event that it does infiltrate and corrupt files on your system.

A malware or malicious file, can destroy the integrity of your system, ultimately impairing its performance. You can also lose confidential data in the process. Depending on the type of malicious threat that is on your system, it could cause the following to occur:

·       Intermittent internet connection.

·       Constant system freezing and crashing.

·       The alteration of key system settings.

·       Slow web surfing performance.

·       Allowing the hacker access to sensitive data.

When you opt to run regular antivirus scans, you can be sure it’ll keep all viruses at bay. Just be sure to pick an efficient antivirus scanner, one that is able to scan your email account, as well as your system and personal files.

5. Power Down or Reboot Regularly

While you don’t have to power down or reboot your system every day. By doing so, it does help refresh all of your systems resources.

If you’re on a relatively old system, then you’ll want to power it down at night, just before going to bed. As this will prevent any issues, such as overheating to occur. If you’re on a newer system, then you may want to consider putting it into sleep mode or rebooting it at least once every day.

6. Change your passwords

One of the more common forms of attacks that hackers use to access your device is through the stealing of a user’s login credentials. Once they’ve successfully gained access to your device, they are able to access a wide range of information, including banking info, email accounts and more.

While, in the past, it wasn’t uncommon for experts to recommend setting a new password every single month, this led to a plethora of new problems. Today, it’s recommended that you change your password once every three months. Just to keep things secure.

7. Organise Your Data

It’s not uncommon for the data of a user’s computer to become disorganised and chaotic, especially when they are left with very little time for file management once their play and work duties have finished. Whether it’s a huge folder of old music files or a load of add-ons for your favourite simulator game, these folders can quickly and easily become crowded.

If you have to think long and hard to remember the last time you looked over your download folder, then it’s probably best that you did. This same rule should also apply to other key folders (such as your Photos and Documents folders).

Dealing with folders or a desktop that has become cluttered with hundreds of different files and folders can be a rather daunting task. But with the right amount of time and patience, there isn’t any reason why you shouldn’t be able to do it.

–AUTHOR INFO— 

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk/.