Computer Maintenance: Cleaning Your Operating System



It's important to clean your computer on a regular basis and maintain the overall health of your system. To learn how, follow the steps outlined below:

  1. From the Start menu, run the "Windows Update." If you cannot locate the Windows Update in the Start menu, select "All Programs" instead. Then select "Accessories" and "System Tools."
  2. Adjust Windows so that it automatically updates.
  3. Select the "Start" menu and then the "Control Panel." In "Performance and Maintenance" click on "Systems" and then select the "Automatic updates" tab.
  4. Clean up, or delete, your cookies. "Cookies" refers to all the information you leave behind on the Internet when you browse websites. Cleaning these up will remove all the passwords and personal information you've left behind online. Just remember to write down any passwords that you think you might forget. To delete your cookies, select the Start menu and then the Control Panel. Click on "Internet Options" and then "Delete Cookies." Finally, click on "Delete Temporary Files".
  5. To finish the clean up job, go back to the Start menu and select All Programs>Accessories>System Tools. A list will pop up; select "Disk Cleanup" and then choose the "More Options" tab. Delete all three tabs within "More Options."

For a more thorough and effective cleaning of your computer, try defragmenting. This unites all your files and re-locates them appropriately. You can do this manually or you can download a stand-alone version, which is more powerful than your Windows default version.

Another option is to abolish spyware, malware, and adware. You can find good anti-virus software or anti-spyware on the Internet, which you can download and install.

Finally, go to My Computer>Tools>Folder Options. Select the box next to "Show Hidden Files and Folders." Select Local Disk>Documents and Settings>Your Account. Delete everything from "My Recent Documents" and "Local Settings History." Delete everything in the: "Temporary Internet Files."

Additional Tips and Warnings:

  • Make sure that you regularly delete any unwanted or unnecessary program. From the Start menu click on Control Panel and then choose "Add/Remove Programs". Remove anything that you don't want or need.
  • If your computer is running sluggishly, go to the Start menu, Select All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.
  • If it's been a while since you last cleaned your computer, you might have to do a bigger clean the first time and then smaller cleaning jobs thereafter. A bigger cleaning job requires that you clean your computer's Windows Database. To do this you will need to use the system cleaner and PC optimization software.
 

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