Computers are amazing and most of us use a computer on a daily basis, possibly as part of our occupation if you have little to no knowledge about computing in general, this article was written with you in mind. Like most things, a computer, whether a desktop PC, a laptop, or a tablet, requires regular maintenance, and with that in mind, here are a few top tips on computer maintenance.
Remove Duplicate Files
When you use your computer on a daily basis, it doesn’t take long until you need to remove duplicate files. When you download a file on the Internet, for example, by default, the file is stored in the ‘downloads’ folder of Windows and if you want to store it in another location, you would naturally copy and paste the file in question. After a while, you would have a lot of duplicate files sitting on your hard drive and all that data has to be scanned by the computer’s Operating System every time the system boots up.
Drive Defragmentation
When data is stored on a hard drive, it is stored in specific locations on the drive, depending on the content of that drive. Data is uploaded, downloaded and deleted regularly and after some time, the drive is littered with data, and drive defragmentation pushes all the data to one end of the drive space, which speeds up computer operation. If you would rather have an IT specialist carry out the maintenance, take your computer to a shop that offers services such as MacBook screen repair and they would do numerous operations to boost the computing speed of your device.
Install Anti-virus Software
The World Wide Web is a very risky place that harbors malicious viruses and other malware and without anti-virus software, there is a risk of data theft. Installing such software is not enough on its own, you also need to update the virus definition database in order that the program recognises latest viruses. This should be done on a weekly basis, as new viruses emerge daily.
Operating System Reinstall
If your MacBook Air is slower than normal, you can wipe all the data and reinstall the iOS; don’t forget to save your data on a separate drive before you delete it. The same goes for Windows and if things are slow for no apparent reason, perhaps a clean reinstall is the best solution.
Operating System Updates
Whether Windows or Apple, there are regular updates for the operating system and if you don’t download and install these updates, you will miss out on security patches and other vital updates.
Compressed Air Blowout
Buy a can of compressed air and remove the exterior case and blow all the dust out. Dust gathers in every environment, even inside your computer; every 3-6 months, remove the cover and clean out the insides. Too much dust can cause the CPU to overheat and make sure you clean the blades on the cooling fans. It is possible to do this with a paintbrush and vacuum cleaner, which for many, is the better option.
Keyboard Cleaning
Keyboards get dirty and keeping your keyboard clean is essential. The best way to clean a keyboard is with cotton buds and isopropyl alcohol; dip a cotton bud into the alcohol and start cleaning the top row keys, changing the cotton buds when they are dirty. Repeat this until all the keys have been cleaned and you can use a powerful vacuum to suck out dust and dirt from inside the keyboard.
Mouse Cleaning
Much like your keyboard, your mouse will eventually gather dirt and grime and clean it with a dry cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Keeping computer components clean is hygienic; you should do a clean every couple of weeks, especially if multiple users are involved. You can also clean your mousepad with alcohol to ensure accuracy.
Monitor Cleaning
Use glass cleaner and a soft, dry cloth to clean your computer monitor screen, while you can also clean the monitor casing.
So, there you have it, a guide on how to keep your computer clean and in good health; should you have any issues, Google can help you locate a specialist who will come to your home and sort out the problem. They have a fully equipped mobile workshop so there isn’t a problem they can’t handle.