A clean PC is a healthy PC!
We all hate slow computers, they frustrate us and we just want to throw them out the window! Don’t do it! Instead follow these tips to keep your computer running smoothly and frustration free.
- Do a monthly clean up: Each month, delete unneeded files, folders and programs from your system. You should also clean up your registry and your browser cookies and temporary files. Use the the “Add Programs and Features” options in Control Panel to remove unwanted programs, or you can use Revo Uninstaller* (Omega Computer System recommends) *NOTE: Revo Uninstaller deletes registry keys when uninstalling a program, if you are not comfortable working with registry keys we HIGHLY recommend you use the native Windows “Add Programs and Features” method of removing programs. Use Windows Disk Cleanup to remove old temporary files, system files, etc. You can also use CCleaner (Omega Computer Systems recommends), which does an even better job. We recommend you use the default setting when using CCleaner. This program will clean up your registry as well and has other tools that we have not discussed. Please read the CCleaner manual for these options.
- Defragment your hard drive: Over time files on your computer become fragmented. What this means to you is that when your computer accesses a file, it will take longer to read and write to it because the file is fragmented all over the hard drive instead of in one place. Windows comes with a built in Disk Deframentation tool. You can run this tool by clicking Start, Run, and typing in “dfrgui.exe” and clicking Run. Once the dialog box appears, select your C: drive and click analyze. It will tell you how defragmented your hard disk is and if needed will ask you to deframent. Window 7 automatically schedules a defrag every week or so, if its not currently setup you can setup in that same dialog box. For Windows 8 users, it runs automatically weekly, and you shouldn’t have to do anything. You can change the frequency if you like here as well. If your computer has SSD (Solid State Drive) installed, then a disk defragmentation is not necessary and you can skip this step. An even better tool is IObit’s SmartDefrag (Omega Computer Systems recommends). This tool will automatically defrag your hard drive as you use your computer and keep files from becoming fragmented in the first place. Make sure to do a custom installation and install only SmartDefrag. Most importantly it is able to do a boot time disk defrag which is important because this allow files (page file, windows registry files, any other system files in use when Windows is running) to be defragmented which can not be done with a normal defrag. Make sure to click on the boot time defrag tab and click enable boot time defrag for this volume (make sure you choose C: drive). Then click on the Configure button and set it to run every 30 days by moving the slider then click OK. Now your computer will do a boot time scan every 30 days granted that you reboot your computer on that day. Need help with this? Contact Us today!
- Backup Important Files: A backup plan is crucial! We can help with this, especially if you have a lot of important data that needs to be backed up. For simplicity, the best way to backup your files is to use a flash drive and copy those files to it. Make sure to get one that is large enough to hold all your data.
- Keep Windows Up to Date: Make sure your computer is set to download updates regularly. We recommend you set the option to download updates but not to install them so that you can review those updates and install them when your ready. To make this change hit the windows key on your keyboard and type Control Panel. Next, double click on Window Update then to the left click on Change Setting. Underneath Important Updates, click the drop down arrow and select: “Download updates but let me choose when to install them”. Click OK when finished.
- Keep your anti virus/malware software up to date: Make sure that automatic updates is turned on. See the software’s help documentation on how to ensure this is on.
- Make sure your PC has good airflow: Make sure that your PC is not placed were air can flow around it. Make sure that fans are not obstructed. It is important to keep your PC as cool as possible. If it gets to hot it can start to run slowly, shut down or overheat and possibly damage itself.
- Disable Start-up Programs: When you install programs, most of the time they are set to auto-start in the background when the computer starts. This is done so that when you use the program it starts up quickly. This is a nice feature but it can also rob your computer of resources, especially if you have a lot of start-up programs running in the background and you do not use them often. In Windows go to Start, Run and type msconfig.exe and click OK. The System Configuration window will appear. Click on the Start-up tab, disable any program that you do not need to startup. If you are unsure of what programs to choose, do a Google search to research those programs to determine if you need them or not. DO NOT blindly stop programs from starting. If you are running Windows 8, you will notice that the Startup tab has a link to the Task Manager. In Windows 8 you disable startup programs in the Task Manager. You can even do this with CCleaner as well! In the System Configuration window you will notice other tabs, it is recommended that you do not mess with the settings in these tabs unless you know what you are doing. You can cause issues with your computer and even keep it from booting if you make a mistake here. Need help with this? Contact Us!
If you have performed all of these steps and your computer is still running sluggish then it may have other problems that a professional will need to look at. Contact Us today, and we can help you get your computer running in tip top shape!