Windows Maintenance
You must perform maintenance tasks for your computer to run at optimal performance. If you take care of your computer, it will remain responsive and fast for a long time. If you do not perform regular maintenance, your computer performance will suffer.
Windows Updates
Windows will automatically install any new updates. Some updates will require you to restart your computer. This is easier if you make certain all pending updates have been installed before you restart. This will help prevent issues with malware and hackers.
Email Management
If you allow your email to fill up, it will be harder to find what you want. You can decrease the amount of email you receive by unsubscribing from any promotions, sales, companies or newsletters you are no longer interested in. Your email has filters enabling you to only allow important messages to be received in your inbox. Email filtering is the best way to keep your email organized.
Backing Up Data
You can set your computer to back up your data automatically. You should check once in a while to ensure everything is operational. If your computer fails, your back up data becomes critical. The majority of backup software will show you the last time your computer was backed up. When you open the software, this information should be available on the home screen.
Deleting Unnecessary Programs
If you have been using a computer for a long time, you know old programs and files can get out of hand. Clean up all of your old data you no longer use. If the performance of your computer is running low, freeing up additional space will improve your performance.
The Maintenance Scans
Performing a couple of maintenance scans in Windows on occasion will help ensure you have not missed any issues. One of the most important scans is an antivirus. A solid antivirus program will update automatically and can be set to run scans at specific times. If you are experiencing issues, you may want to run a program dedicated to anti-malware every once in a while.
The Important Settings
Windows is consistently changing. This means you can enjoy a lot of new features. It also means all these extra options can impact the performance of your computer. Once a major update has finished installing, you need to look at the new options to make certain they are set to your preferences. Use your task manager to check your startup items on a regular basis. Chances are you will have too many programs loading as soon as you boot your computer. Make certain you keep your start up items under control or it will negatively impact your performance.
Cleaning the Hardware
Keeping your computer clean is important to maintain optimal performance. As time passes, your computer will collect a lot of dirt and grime. Wipe down your screen and keyboard. Remove all the dust from your computer several times each year. If your computer is not adequately ventilated, it can be damaged.
The Bottom Line
You must perform regular maintenance on your computer to ensure it is running at peak performance. This does not require a lot of time and provides excellent benefits.
