If you want your computer to run smoothly even after several years, you need to keep it in good condition. And the key to accomplish that is to service it every so often.
Make no mistake, you don’t need to be an expert to perform a basic service. Instead, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps:
- Scan for viruses and malware
If viruses and malware aren’t removed quickly, you could end up having your data (or even your identity) stolen. On top of that they can seriously affect your computer’s performance and make it run slowly.
Ideally you should scan your computer on a regular basis using both an antivirus and malware scan. If any are found, be sure to remove them immediately to avoid any issues.
- Uninstall unnecessary programs
Having unnecessary programs installed on your hard drive is never a good thing. Not only will they take up space, but some may even be running in the background without your knowledge.
As part of your service you should run through all the programs that are installed on your computer, and remove any that you don’t need. Additionally you should also check the browser toolbars and plugins that are installed too.
- Disable startup processes that aren’t required
Startup processes are programs that will automatically launch when your computer boots up. Some may be visible and appear in the System Tray, while others may run in the background.
Needless to say having processes running that you don’t really need will weigh your computer down. As such you should check the Startup folder and the Task Manager, and disable any that aren’t required.
- Install all software updates
Keeping your operating system and other software updated is crucial. Each update could potentially patch security issues, improve performance levels, and fix various bugs.
The easiest option is to set your computer to update automatically. However if you prefer not to do that, you should check and install updates manually on a regular basis.
- Clean the outside of your computer
Computers do tend to accumulate dust as time goes by, and if you’re not careful they can clog up the air vents and dirty the interior of your computer. To avoid that, you need to periodically clean the outside of your computer.
All you need to do is gently brush or wipe your computer’s case – without using any water or cleaning liquid. If the dust seems to be stuck you can use compressed air.
By following these steps, you should be able to perform a basic service and maybe even boost your computer’s performance. However if there are more serious issues you may need to troubleshoot them further or look for a reliable computer repair service.
Try to at least perform each of these steps on a monthly basis at least. If you do, you should be able to solve most issues before they have the chance to cause any serious problems.
