Does it take forever for your computer to start, load a website, or open a programme? It may be time to clean up your computer. Regular cleaning of your computer should keep these problems managed and prolong the life of your PC.
Here are some tips for cleaning up and enhancing your computer’s performance.
Backup your important files
Before you get rid of unwanted files, do yourself a favour by backing up your important files first. This way, you can prevent data loss, in case you inadvertently delete the original files while cleaning up your computer.
Backing up your files, like old digital photos, videos, or audio files, can be done by storing a copy on an external storage device or in the cloud.
Uninstall unneeded programmes
Consider decluttering your computer with unneeded programmes that can take up space on your computer system. Out of date programmes may have security issues if they are not regularly updated so by uninstalling old programmes it will get rid of any malicious programs that may corrupt your important files and potentially steal your information.
Update your software
A software update or patch is a free download that provides enhancements or fixes to an application or operating system’s features. They address security issues and protect your computer from hacking and threat of viruses, fix software bugs, and provide support for new models of hardware.
Organise your files
Organise your files by creating a root folder and subfolders and name them according to categories. You can then place your files in their appropriate folders. Organising not only makes it easier for you to locate the file that you need to work on but also easily identify and delete files that you no longer need or use.
If you are the type of person who saves all files to your desktop, that can slow down your computer considerably as each file must be reloaded every time you start your PC. Use your computer folders or install an online filing system to manage your files.
Empty your recycling bin
Recycling bin serves as temporary storage of the files you have deleted, intentionally or accidentally, which is a useful feature in case you want to restore these files. Over time, files will build up and affect your PC’s performance. To prevent this, regularly check and empty your recycling bin.
Prevent programs from auto-starting
Some programs run automatically at start-up, so you wouldn’t have to launch them when you need them. However, you may not need some of these programs to auto-start at all. You will also help your computer boot up faster by disabling these start-up items.
The start-up option will be in the settings of your PC. Some programmes may be important to keep on at start-up so if it looks like a tool you have not downloaded yourself it’s recommended to not turn off auto-start unless you know specifically what the tool does.
Clear browser cache
Your browser cache serves as temporary storage of data related to the site that you visit. When you first visit a site, information such images on the homepage, are stored locally. Caching enables your browser to load websites faster because it eliminates the need to download the data again the next time you visit that particular site.
Cookies are files created by your browser containing specific information such as your name or email address and stores them on your computer. Cookies help websites track your activity whenever you visit them.
While they enhance your web browsing experience, cache and cookies can also leave your computer vulnerable to hacking or expose your confidential information. Over time, you may also encounter browser errors, or the cache will load an older version of the web page. Clearing the cache and cookies periodically often help fix these issues.
By following these suggestions and regularly updating your computer you’ll help prolong the life of your PC and keep your computer running optimally.