5 Top Computer Maintenance Tips
We all rely on computers, whether it is at work or home, they form an integral part of our lives. As a result, it is important that we do everything possible to keep them in good condition. From the way in which they work to the way in which they look, there are many things that we can do to ensure our computers work in the way they should.
By taking care of your PC or laptop, you can ensure that it stands the test of time which highlights the importance of regular maintenance. When your PC experiences problems it can reduce productivity and can prove to be extremely frustrating. Fortunately, we have some top tips that can help to protect your computer internally and externally, so read on to find out more.
Clean Your Keyboard
Your keyboard is your main input device but you will be amazed at how dirty it can become. Dust, crumbs, hair and all other kinds of dirt can find its way between the keys and that can cause your keyboard to develop a problem. Keys might not respond correctly or they might become sticky, so it makes sense to give it a regular clean. This is relatively simple to do using compressed air and then protecting your keyboard with a keyboard cover to prevent dirt from getting under the keys.
If you have an external keyboard that comes with a PC then you can clean it by removing it from the USB port and then turning it upside down. With a shake, loose debris will fall out and then you can spray compressed air under the keys to remove stubborn debris before giving it a wipe with a microfiber cloth.
In a similar way with laptops, you should turn it off and then turn it upside down to remove loose debris. Then you can place the laptop down and use compressed air between the keys in short bursts as you move across the keyboard.
Protect Your Device
As we use our devices every day, it means that there is an increased risk of damage being caused from drops and spills. This can leave your device looking slightly worse for wear. A laptop is designed to be portable which means that you travel around with it and that alone can leave it exposed to dents, marks and scratches.
Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to protect your device and they come in different styles too, helping you to find something that fits your exact needs.
Laptop Skin - Laptop skins are designed to fit over your laptop and are usually applied with an adhesive. This can help to protect it from scratches.
Hard Cover - These are made from durable plastics or rubber but can help to protect the internal components of your laptop as well as the casing. They are designed to still give you access to buttons and ports.
Sleeves - The laptop will slide into the sleeve and is commonly made of a soft material such as suede or nylon. They can protect your laptop from knocks and spills while they are lightweight too.
Messenger Bag - These bags are designed to hold a laptop and it will offer the best level of protection as your laptop will have padding for protection.
Run an Operating System Update
There is some basic computer maintenance that you can carry out and that includes running regular operating updates. It is relatively simple to do, regardless of the operating system you are using but it will ensure that your system is running as it should.
Many operating systems will carry out automatic checks for updates and then inform you of them. You can then choose a time to install the updates so you don’t have to worry about being disrupted. The updates will install new features and security updates, so it makes sense to run them regularly.
Remove Junk Files and Programs
When your computer or laptop has a lot of unused programs and junk files, it can take up space and that can prevent your computer from performing efficiently. You will notice that it slows down, it takes longer to complete actions and you have no room for storage. There is no doubt that you are likely to have a lot of unwanted files and programs on your computer, so it can help to remove them.
Instead of waiting for your computer to tell you that you need to take action, you can get ahead of things and do the following:
- Remove unnecessary software
- Cleanup your disk using specialist software
- Remove temporary files
- Clear the Recycling bin
- Delete the cache of offline web pages
Run an Antivirus Scanner
Every single computer or device that connects to the internet is at risk of being attacked by malware. By installing antivirus software, you can do everything possible to protect your computer from viruses and the problems they bring. If you carry out a weekly scan of your computer, then you will have peace of mind knowing that it is clear of viruses and should it find any, then it will deal with them accordingly.
A scan can run while you are using your device but if you are someone who downloads a lot of files or software then you should look to run a scan more frequently. The best approach is to be cautious which means that you can never do too much to protect yourself and your device.
Malware infections can cause all kinds of problems such as causing your device to slow down or even having personal data and information stolen. You might also find that your device crashes or freezes regularly and your computer settings might change unknowingly.
So, by running an antivirus scan regularly, you can keep problems at bay.
Your computer or laptop is an expensive purchase, not to mention that it is something you rely on. Therefore, it makes sense to follow our tips to keep your device in perfect condition.