Computer Maintenance - Maintaining Your Computer

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Computer Maintenance

By: David Korn

There are a few ways to care for and maintain your computer. Each and everyday you use the computer and internet, files are stored. These files are temporary files, cookies, offline content, and so on. Continual use can cause a lot of files to be stored. This causes a lot of clutter and can slow things down. You can clear your cache, also known as deleting, by going to internet properties.

The disk cleanup function, which is located in the general tab of your hard drive’s properties, can also perform this task. I would recommend doing this everyday, or at least every two days. This will also help save disk space.

When we send and receive files, there is a possibility that they may come with errors. Files get transferred via electronic means and anything in the wiring may alter the transmission. You can perform this error checking utility by going to my computer, right clicking your hard drive, going to properties, then to tools and off to the error checking button. Of course, a search for error checking can also expedite this as well. I would recommend performing this task as often as the disk defragmentation. Both utilities take anywhere from 10 minutes to much longer, depending on your computer.

Many sources state that you should save somewhere around 2% of your hard drive for computer processes. I believe these numbers are meant to make sure your computer works. However, this doesn’t mean that it will keep your computer running quickly. I am a firm believer in “Less is more.” My initial recommendation is to have at least 20% of your hard drive available. I personally have 60-80% of my hard drive available to ensure the computer runs at top efficiency. Filling up your hard drive will slow the computer down.

It is best to delete any unused or unwanted programs. For storing digital files, using external devices can help keep your computer at a lower capacity. The system tray, which is located on the bottom right in most cases, or adjacent to the clock, can also slow down the computer. It is best to delete as many icons from there as possible and to disable them from starting up. This will speed up the computer’s boot time. Also, try to have very few icons on your desktop. These icons have to load during the start up phase and will slow down the computer. Performing these tasks will make a faster and healthier computer.