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Basic Computer Maintenance for Beginners

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Below you can read a few tips to help you keep your Windows-powered computer running more efficiently, classified by their recommended use frequency.

Daily Tasks

• Empty the recycle bin.
• Delete all temporary files.
  • Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Internet Options
  • Click ‘Delete Cookies’
  • Click ‘Delete Files’
  • Check the box labeled ‘Delete all offline content’
  • Click ‘OK’
• Delete all old .zip files

Weekly Tasks

• Run windows/microsoft updates.
  Go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate.
• Update your antivirus and anti-spyware definitions and run scans at least twice a month.
• Defragment
  • Open My Computer
  • Right-clicking the C: Drive
  • Select properties
  • Click on the tools tab

Monthly Tasks

• Clean your screen, keyboard, mouse, and the inside of your computer (if you have a desktop) regularly to keep dust from messing up your system.
• Make sure your hardware is working properly.
  If you have not used the CD/DVD drive in a long time, test it by running a CD and/or a DVD in the drive.
• Run Disk Cleanup:
  • Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup

There are also some software solutions that will automate many of those processes for you.

• CCleaner is a freeware system optimisation and privacy tool that erases all Internet history from different browsers and other unused files. It also cleans up orphaned registry entries on Windows computers.
• Or you can get a toolkit such as Tech Toolkit that comes bundled with the following applications:

• Antivir Personal  – one of the top rated free antiviruses
• AppCrashView    –  reads application crash info from .wer files (W.E.R = Windows Error Reporting) Windows Vista, 7, and 2008
• App Remover     – Removes antivirus/spyware/malware programs
• Autoruns         – shows you everything that starts with your computer in registry,startup folders,services
  and allows you to remove or disable them
• BlueScreenView     – scans all your minidump files created during blue screen of death crashes, and displays
  the information about all crashes in one table.
• CrystalDiskInfo    – S.M.A.R.T./health information about your hard drive
• Defraggler        – defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files
• Device Doctor    – finds outdated drivers and updates Windows XP, Vista, & Windows 7 Drivers Automatically
• DevManView         – an alternative to the standard Device Manager of Windows
• ERunt            – Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP
• FixWin            – utility to repair & fix Windows 7 & Vista problems & annoyances
• GPU-Z             – utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU.
• HWMonitor        – hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems main health sensors : voltages,
  temperatures, fans speed.
• JKDefrag        – disk defragger
• Kaspersky Removal- Scans and removes viruses
• LSPFix            – fixes loss of Internet access caused by buggy or improperly removed software or viruses.
• MemTest            – RAM/Memory Tester
• NTRegOpt        – Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP
• PCDecrapifier    – cleans the preinstalled crap from brand new computers
• Revo Uninstaller- uninstalls programs and removes left over entries that are left behind
• ShareEnum        – Enumerate shares on the network
• SIW                – generate complete system report on hardware/software/network
• Sysinpector        – diagnostic tool
• Unknown Devices    – helps you find what those unknown devices in Device Manager really are
• Windows Update Fix – utility will re-register the files, required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates.
• winfo            – super small app to get quick system info from the computer