Information About Computer Maintenance
If you own a computer, it is very important to understand how to maintain it. Computers become encumbered with fragmented files and stored temporary Internet files over time. Fortunately, performing you own computer maintenance is simple and the tools are easily accessible.
Disk Cleanup - This is a program already on your computer that cleans up your hard disk of unneeded files. It allows your computer to work faster as it accesses files when you command it to, and frees up more storage space. This is important if you store a lot of documents, movies and music on your computer.
Defragging Your Hard Drive - You can think of your computer as a cabinet file in an office. If you are busy or in a hurry, you might put files back where they don't belong. This causes your computer to lag when you try to retrieve those same files later.
Antivirus and Antispyware - Everyone must have these to protect your computer from uninvited guests that harm it and slow your system down. Running these programs also helps to keep unwanted programs out of your computer by scanning for them regularly. If you use your computer daily, you should use your antivirus and antispyware scanners daily. You must access those programs to use them, or set them to run automatically at a scheduled time for convenience.
Running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag
- Click the "Start" button in the lower left-hand corner on a Windows PC. A pop-up menu appears.
- Point your mouse on "All Accessories" and click it. Another menu appears.
- Click on "System Tools." Choose "Disk Cleanup" from the menu. Notice that "Disk Defragmenter" is listed right under it. Go through this same process once the Disk Cleaup is done to use the "Disk Defragmenter."
- Run "Disk Cleanup" by clicking on it. Click "Cleanup Files." It will ask if you want to permanently delete files. Click "Yes." Temporary files are now deleted.
- Access and run "Disk Defragmenter" now. This will take some time, and your computer may be slow while it is running "Disk Defragmenter." Now your hard disk is organized!