How-To Guide: Maintain Your PC

When we first get a new computer it is fast and runs smoothly and in just a week you can notice all that changing as it takes longer to complete small tasks such as opening a browser window. This will happen if you do not learn how to clean out and your computer and keep it maintained on a weekly basis. To prevent fragmentation and a completely sluggish computer there are a few simple things that you can do.

Use A Disk Defragmenter

When you use a computer, files that are needed are moved around on your disk drive. In a short amount of time these files are moved all over and are eventually out of their original position. This causes your computer to spend a longer amount of time looking for them, which is why it can take a while for files to open when you click on them.

While Windows does come with a defragmenter program already installed, there is a variety of software that you can also buy to keep everything maintained.

Millions of people buy and use Diskeeper and almost all prefer it to the free one that comes with Windows. Some other good software to consider includes O&O Defrag, and Ashampoo Magical Defrag.

Prevent Spyware and Adware

If you use the internet then you will eventually come across a website, email, or software program that will try to put things on your computer such as Trojans and viruses. You should do everything that you can to prevent this from happening. First be careful with any emails that you receive. Although most of us know that we should not open attachments sent from someone we do not know, what is not mentioned is that you should also be wary of accepting attachments and files in emails sent from family and friends. The reason is that if their computer is compromised, some viruses are programmed to send out emails to the people in their address books.

To help protect your computer consider getting software such as Norton SystemWorks. This one program comes with a lot of extras to help keep your computer and information safe. A few key features includes automatic removal of worms, Trojans and viruses as well as email and IM scanning, automatic updates, system restore, cookie, cache and temp file cleaning and prevention of risky programs from installing. You also receive these:

Norton AntiVirus
Norton Utilities
Norton GoBack
CheckIt Diagnostics
System Optimizer

Another great program is Zone Alarm. It started out as just a firewall but the newest versions feature many great additions that all come together to give you added protection.

Get Rid of Spyware and Adware

If you find that you are getting a lot of errors and you computer is sluggish and your Windows is acting strangely then it's possible that it is already infected. Get an adware remover such as Lavasoft's Adaware program and/or Spybot. These are two programs that I use and they work very well. Sometimes after using the first one I try the other just to be safe.

One more program you should try to get and use often is Webroots Window Washer. It quickly and easily cleans out all of the files that tend to build up as you browse the internet.