| Most people know the joy of getting a new computer. | | | | be using up large amounts of your computer's |
| One of the main benefits is that it is fast to respond | | | | memory space. By running a quick function called a |
| and process information, making working so much | | | | disk clean-up, you can remove these temporary files |
| more efficient. Fortunately, you do not need to go to | | | | from your computer and free up memory space. The |
| the expense of purchasing a new computer just to | | | | task takes just a few minutes and should be done on |
| get improved performance. There are several easy | | | | a weekly basis. |
| tasks you can do to optimize your computer's working | | | | Run a Scandisk Function Regularly |
| capacity. If you perform these maintenance tasks on a | | | | At least once every two or three months, you should |
| regular basis, you can save yourself much time and | | | | run a scandisk diagnostic on your computer. What this |
| frustration that comes as a result of a slow computer. | | | | does is analyze the files and functions of your |
| Before we discuss what you can do, it's helpful to first | | | | computer to see if any are corrupt or malfunctioning. |
| understand what causes a computer to be slow. | | | | This can highlight problems before they affect the |
| What Slows a Computer? | | | | functionality of your computer too drastically. Many of |
| A computer slows down when certain parts of your | | | | these problems can often be fixed quite easily by the |
| hard drive are not functioning properly. This could be | | | | system. This can take some time so run it when you |
| due to several reasons. You may have too many | | | | can leave the program for a period of time without |
| programs running at one time, your computer memory | | | | having to access it. |
| could be too full, your data could be corrupt, or you | | | | Perform a Disk Defragmentation |
| could have installed new programs that exceed the | | | | Even though this is a time consuming exercise, it can |
| operational capacity of your hard drive. You could also | | | | dramatically improve the performance of your |
| have a virus on your computer which could be | | | | computer. What a disk defrag does is sort through |
| hindering its operations. The two most common | | | | your files and organize them so that they can be more |
| reasons for a slow computer are either a virus | | | | easily accessed. It is often a good idea to run this |
| infection or too little free memory space. While having | | | | function after you have performed a scandisk. It is |
| a virus is more serious, there are ways in which you | | | | important to note that you will need to shut down all |
| can prevent both of these issues from affecting your | | | | other programs when running this function. |
| computer's speed. Let's look at some few basic | | | | Back up Your Data on an External Device |
| maintenance tasks you can implement to improve your | | | | Most people store photographs, videos and movies on |
| computer speed. | | | | their computer and these can take up large volumes |
| Virus and Spyware Protection | | | | of memory space. It is unlikely that you will need to |
| No one should be operating a computer without having | | | | access this information on a daily basis so rather than |
| registered and up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware | | | | storing it on your hard drive, store it on an external |
| software installed. This prevents hackers from | | | | hard drive, DVDs or CDs. In this way, you will improve |
| accessing the information on your system and | | | | the performance of your PC by freeing up disk space. |
| corrupting it. Most anti-virus programs automatically run | | | | You will also be ensuring that your data is kept secure. |
| daily updates and scans to prevent infections of your | | | | Delete Files You No Longer Need |
| computer. Keeping your computer secure is one of the | | | | Most people get hundreds of emails on a daily basis |
| best preventative measures you can take to make | | | | and most of them do not need to be kept. Be vigilant |
| sure it functions optimally. | | | | about deleting junk mail and clearing out your deleted |
| Perform Regular Disk Clean-ups | | | | files on a regular basis. If there is information that you |
| Most people are unaware of the fact that many | | | | do not use often but do not want to delete, transfer |
| websites dump information onto your computer in the | | | | the files to a backup device. You will free up disk |
| form of temporary files. So if you spend any amount | | | | space on your computer but still have access to the |
| of time browsing the Internet, you could unknowingly | | | | information, should you need it in the future. |