We all rely on computers for work and play, which is why it’s incredibly annoying if they don’t work as intended. Maybe it’s the OS takes longer to boot up, or your applications don’t run as fast as they used to. One of the top reasons why people buy a new computer, apart from total system failure, is their old unit has become too slow.
If your computer habits haven’t changed and you’ve noticed a steady decline in the performance, there are a few things you can try before buying a replacement. Sometimes all you need is a few simple fixes and regular maintenance to get your computer back in shape.
Whether you want to build your own PC or buy one from a store, here’s how to keep your computer in good condition:
Table of Contents
Uninstall old programs
Many users install dozens of programs through the course of a computer’s lifetime. Some of them you use regularly, but for many of these programs, chances are you’ve probably forgotten that you installed them in the first place. But they still take up precious space in your hard drive.
Go through the list of installed programs on your computer and uninstall those you haven’t used in the last year. Be careful about uninstalling programs you don’t recognize as it could be a system app. Only remove programs you remember installing.
Clear temporary files
Perform a disk cleanup once a month to keep the system fast and efficient. Every time you browse the Internet, your computer stores bits and pieces of the sites you visit so they will load faster in the future. This feature can improve your browsing experience, but if you don’t clear the temporary files regularly, they could bog down the system. In some cases, temporary files can take up as much as a fifth of your disk available space.
Perform regular virus scans
One of the most straightforward maintenance tasks you can do is a quick anti-virus scan. Malware such as viruses, Trojan horses, and worms wreak havoc on millions of computers all over the world. If you regularly download files from the Internet, you need to scan your system for possible intruders.
While most anti-virus programs run essential maintenance in the background, you might want to perform a more in-depth scan at least once a week. Some detection software also allows you to check for rootkits and malicious programs.
Update the operating system
Keeping your computer updated with the latest patches is one of the essential maintenance tasks you can do. New cyber threats emerge every day, and software providers often push updates to patch vulnerabilities or address current threats. If your computer is stuck with old software, you could become more vulnerable to malware and cyber intrusion.
These pointers will help you breathe new life to your old PC. Computers aren’t exactly cheap, which is why you need to perform regular maintenance to ensure that your current rig lasts for a long time. Quick fixes like cache cleaning and software updates go a long way in ensuring your computer stays fast and secure.
