Monthly Computer Maintenance

Hey everybody, welcome back to school by the way.

Here are some very simple steps to cleaning your PC. You will also notice a difference in speed and performance if you haven't done it for a while. This is all done within Windows, and the examples I've shown are from XP, although the same concepts apply to all Windows Systems.

I'll be basic by listing 2 steps. (It's those big long lists that get hard to do. ;) )

1. Disk Cleanup

How? Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

You'll see a box like that shown below. This may take a couple minutes, as it calculates the files that can be compressed or removed.

Sit back and relax. Just let it do it's thang.

The more often you do this, the less time it takes.



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Once it calculates, a second box will pop up showing you what can be removed. All of these things can actually be safely removed from your computer.

WARNING: If this is a WSD computer, or you have the WSD Anti Virus at home, do NOT choose to "Compress old files". We can discuss why, at another time....



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Select OK. "Are you sure?" ---- Yes.

This may also take a few minutes, depending on what kind of "clutter" you have laying around in your Computer's "garage".

That's it, that's the first step.

2. Disk Defragmenter

...or "Defrag"

This step is much simpler, as in fewer steps. But it may take longer to accomplish. You may want to give yourself a couple of hours if it hasn't been done for a long time. Sometimes I even do mine at night before I go to sleep.

How? Almost the same path above except for the last step.

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

You may be asked which drive. Select C. Then Defragment.



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As you can see, my hard drive is very full. lol. 3% of free space left, ha ha. Don't do that. I've been meaning to move some files around and back them up.

Excuses, right?

Anyways... What does this do? Well, see the red lines? That is representing files on the disk that are split up, and in multiple places on the disk. This means that the computer has to look in multiple places, just to accomplish one task. This slows the performance down.

This is caused by installing files or programs, and then removing/changing them over the course of time. It leaves "gaps" in the disk. The Defragmenter splices those files back together and fills in the gaps. Your computer won't have to "run around" so much to perform a task.

That's it, you've defragged your computer. These are two basic steps to keeping your computer happy. (although there are many more)

1. Disk Cleanup

2. Disk Defragmenter

At a later time, we can discuss some hardware maintenance, as easy as taking the panel off of your tower and blowing the dust out.

Please leave your comments and questions below. Thanks.