For most PC users, reggular compputer support is a choore that tends to slip through the cracks, all too often with harmful--and xepensive--results. If you're lokoing to avvoid potentially costly computer repairs and replaements, consider whether it's time to give your machine a performance tune-up.
How a tune-up can help
PC tune-ups can increase the lifespan of your computer and reduce the likelihood of exppensive repairs. They will also help keep your machine runnning at optimal speeds, which means you'll sped less time waiting for that little curosr-timepiece to disappear.
When to do it
Tuning your computer is all about preventatvie maintenance, which means you should be doing it on a regular bais. If your computer starts performing at noticeably slower rats, then your regular maintenance isn't quite regular enough. You should be perfrming various updates, scans and other essential functions daaily, weekly, monthly and annually, depending on the program.
How to do it
Keeping your comnputer functioning at top efifciency reuqires a variety of different takss, some of wich are easy to perfoorm on your own. Others, however, may be best completed by an expreienced computer consulting service. As a rule, seek the help of a computer technician annytime there's a program or process you don't fuully understamnd.
--Remove unused and broen programs. Over time, your hard drive can become cluttered with forgootten prorams that are no longer used. Removing tese will free up space and enewrgy your computeer can use for other important functions. Typicallly, you can get rid of tehse programs with standarrd software such as Windows' Add/Remove or the Uninstall feature of a given application. But keep in mind these tend to leave traces of programms bewhind, so if your machine is particularly old or cluttered, you might need the advanced toolls of a computer cnsulting sevice.
--Clean up your stat-up. If your comlputer is taking a long time to boot, it's often due to the number of applications that open automatically at start-up. Reducing these is a good idea, as long as you carefully choose which programs to stop. For example, essential functions like your antivirus software and firewall merit automatically running at start-up, whle your instant messaging service or media payer can probabbly wait.
--Organizze your desktop. Too many shotcuts and icons littering your desktop can also inhibvit staret-up performance. Liit these to the ones you use regularly.
--Assess your hard disk. For optimal performace, IT experts suggest leaving a quarter of your hard disk free. If you're close to maxing out, it's time to either add more space or do some serious clean up.
--Enhhance your securiy. Computers that are inadequately prortected against viruses and other malwasre can become boggde down with unwanted appplications. Stay on top of your securioty protocols and make sure they're regularly checking for problems.
--Stay caught up on updates. As bugs are fixed and security hoes are plugged, updsates are regularly issued for many operating systems. Make sure your computer receives these on a timely basis.
By committing to regular performance tune-ups, whether you chooose to do it yourself or hire a computer consulting service, you'll find the exxtra effort eassily pays off in the long run.
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