Below are very Important instructions that will help you to keep your computer optimized.
Tip 1) Deleting Cookies: This is a maintenance step that is vital for maintaining a healthy computer. Cookies and cache files are junk files, sometimes little programs that get stored in your computer as you use the internet. To remove these unwanted files, you should clear your browser's data regularly. In Google Chrome, go to the right top corner and click where you see the three little lines together, select history, clear browsing data: In the pop-op window, make sure you select "since the beginning of time" and check all the boxes unless you want to keep some information stored. After checking all the little boxes, click on clear browsing history at the bottom.
Tip 2) Defragment your hard drive: Over the time, your hard drive will build fragmented files. Fragmented files are all over the disk and make the computer slower when trying to access those files. You should perform hard drive defragmentation regularly to speed up the process of accessing the files stored in your disk. In Windows you can defragment your disk by clicking on start, all programs, accessories, system tools and disk defragmenter. You should see a window pop up, select the disk or volume that you want to degragment and click defragment disk. You may also choose to analyze the disk for fragmented files prior to performing the defragmentation. Notice that if you have an SSD (Solid State Drive) hard drive, you do not need to do defragmentation. SSD hard drives are new technology that have no moving parts inside and can retrieve files faster than normal hard drives do.
Tip 3) Uninstall unused programs: It is a good idea to only keep in our computer only the programs that we need. Many users also have many programs to perform the same task. Keep in mind, though, that those programs consume space and memory. The more programs you have, the slower your computer will respond. My advise is to remove programs that you do not need. To uninstall a program from your windows machine, click on start, control panel, remove programs (or programs and features in windows 7), right click the program that you want to remove, click uninstall. Please make sure that you remove exactly the intended program and avoid removing programs that are needed for your system to work properly.
Tip 4) Always have an updated anti-virus: If you already have an anti-virus, make sure it is up to date. Although most anti-virus software will notify you when it is outdated, should should check by opening your specific program and search for the option that allows you to check for updates or to updated. If you do not have anti-virus installed, you can download install one for free, there are many available. A download source that I commonly use is http://download.cnet.com/. After you go to the web site, search the type of software that you want, download it to your computer, open the installation file, and follow the installation process. Note: avoid installing adds or other advertising products that might come as you follow the installation process, only install the program that you need.
Tip 5) Use the browser that works for you: Many people ask me which internet browser should they use. My answer is, use the one that works better in your computer. You may download two browsers, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome for example, test their speed and your computer's performance. You can test your internet speed at http://www.speedtest.net/. After doing the speed test, you should have a clue of which browser to should use.
Tip 6) Scan your computer: You should use your anti-virus to perform a full computer scan, specially when you notice malfunctions in your system, but even if you don't. You might have viruses or any type of malware hidden in your system. A computer scan will detect those malicious software and take preventive action.
Tip 1) Deleting Cookies: This is a maintenance step that is vital for maintaining a healthy computer. Cookies and cache files are junk files, sometimes little programs that get stored in your computer as you use the internet. To remove these unwanted files, you should clear your browser's data regularly. In Google Chrome, go to the right top corner and click where you see the three little lines together, select history, clear browsing data: In the pop-op window, make sure you select "since the beginning of time" and check all the boxes unless you want to keep some information stored. After checking all the little boxes, click on clear browsing history at the bottom.
Tip 2) Defragment your hard drive: Over the time, your hard drive will build fragmented files. Fragmented files are all over the disk and make the computer slower when trying to access those files. You should perform hard drive defragmentation regularly to speed up the process of accessing the files stored in your disk. In Windows you can defragment your disk by clicking on start, all programs, accessories, system tools and disk defragmenter. You should see a window pop up, select the disk or volume that you want to degragment and click defragment disk. You may also choose to analyze the disk for fragmented files prior to performing the defragmentation. Notice that if you have an SSD (Solid State Drive) hard drive, you do not need to do defragmentation. SSD hard drives are new technology that have no moving parts inside and can retrieve files faster than normal hard drives do.
Tip 3) Uninstall unused programs: It is a good idea to only keep in our computer only the programs that we need. Many users also have many programs to perform the same task. Keep in mind, though, that those programs consume space and memory. The more programs you have, the slower your computer will respond. My advise is to remove programs that you do not need. To uninstall a program from your windows machine, click on start, control panel, remove programs (or programs and features in windows 7), right click the program that you want to remove, click uninstall. Please make sure that you remove exactly the intended program and avoid removing programs that are needed for your system to work properly.
Tip 4) Always have an updated anti-virus: If you already have an anti-virus, make sure it is up to date. Although most anti-virus software will notify you when it is outdated, should should check by opening your specific program and search for the option that allows you to check for updates or to updated. If you do not have anti-virus installed, you can download install one for free, there are many available. A download source that I commonly use is http://download.cnet.com/. After you go to the web site, search the type of software that you want, download it to your computer, open the installation file, and follow the installation process. Note: avoid installing adds or other advertising products that might come as you follow the installation process, only install the program that you need.
Tip 5) Use the browser that works for you: Many people ask me which internet browser should they use. My answer is, use the one that works better in your computer. You may download two browsers, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome for example, test their speed and your computer's performance. You can test your internet speed at http://www.speedtest.net/. After doing the speed test, you should have a clue of which browser to should use.
Tip 6) Scan your computer: You should use your anti-virus to perform a full computer scan, specially when you notice malfunctions in your system, but even if you don't. You might have viruses or any type of malware hidden in your system. A computer scan will detect those malicious software and take preventive action.