Did you know that computer lagging is the most common issue if you use the computer regularly? And what is the reason for slow computer performance? The reason can be as simple as not emptying your recycle bin after deleting unnecessary files.
Apart from that, other issues that make your computer slow may include an outdated operating system, inactive anti-virus software, and not taking care of the computer hardware.
But is there a solution to all of these issues? Yes. It may seem difficult for a beginner, but maintaining your computer for better performance is very easy and can be done regularly. To know about the performance of your computer hardware and much more, continue reading and improving your computer’s performance by 35% immediately!
What do research and statistics say about computer maintenance
Firstly, researches point towards computer maintenance for better performance. However, a few of them suggest the following: Statistics by the National Small Business Association have revealed that more than 40% of small businesses experienced data loss. Unfortunately for those businesses, they never reopened!
Then another internationally recognized tech company ‘Dell’ acknowledged that lack of software maintenance and outdated programs result in lost computer performance. NIST highlighted that users and businesses can eliminate the risk of a security breach and data by maintaining their computer systems. And lastly, it is also astonishing that Garter identified that IT system downtime or failure can lead to up to $5500+ cost every minute.
These highlighted statistics have one solution and it is to maintain your computer hardware and software regularly. If you want to prevent any of this as an individual or a company, then keep reading for essential and easy-to-follow computer maintenance tips!
Maintaining your computer for increased performance
Many beginners may not realize the importance of maintaining their computer, which can result in reduced lifespan and performance. Here are some reasons why regular maintenance is essential for a computer:
Firstly, it prevents hardware failure. Regular maintenance can help identify potential hardware issues before they become severe and cause permanent damage to the computer. For example, checking for overheating and cleaning the dust from the fans can prevent damage to the processor and other components.
Moreover, maintaining good software and hardware will protect against malware. And your computer will have an extended lifespan. How? Regular maintenance can help extend the lifespan of a computer by reducing wear and tear on the hardware and preventing issues that can lead to permanent damage.
Clean computer hardware for better performance
Cleaning a computer regularly is important and prevents multiple reactions from dust build-up. Performing a regular clean-up of computer hardware will enable overheating prevention as dust can accumulate on the cooling fans and heat sinks. This obstructs airflow and causes components to overheat. Overheating can lead to decreased performance and can even cause permanent damage to the hardware. Cleaning computer hardware improves performance. Over time, dust buildup can cause the computer to slow down or freeze up. Cleaning out the dust can help improve airflow and keep the components running at optimal temperatures, resulting in better performance.
Apart from that regularly cleaning your computer also extends the hardware’s lifespan. As dust buildup can cause components to wear out more quickly, reducing their lifespan. Regular cleaning can help prevent premature failure and extend the life of the computer. Lastly, it maintains good air quality. Dust can also accumulate on the computer case and peripherals, affecting the air quality of the room. Regular cleaning can help improve air quality and reduce the risk of allergies and respiratory problems.
Easy tips to clean computer hardware:
Keeping your computer hardware, including the keyboard, mouse, and screen clean is important to maintain good hygiene and seamless performance. Here are some easy tips to clean these components:
Firstly, use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust or debris from between the keys to clean a keyboard. Then, use a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to wipe down the keys and the surface of the keyboard.
Then use a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the surface of the mouse to clean a mouse. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust or debris from the crevices. And lastly, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface of the screen in a circular motion to clean the screen. Avoid using paper towels or other rough materials, as they can scratch the surface of the screen.
Note: Never use a dripping wet cloth to clean computer parts, especially if it is plugged into the electricity.
Install an anti-virus and let it manage your computer’s performance:
Installing and updating an antivirus program is an essential step to ensure the security and optimal performance of your computer. Here are the steps to install and update an antivirus program:
Step 1: Firstly, research and choose a reputable antivirus program. Some popular options include Norton, McAfee, Avast, and Bitdefender.
Step 2: Then download the installer file from the antivirus provider’s website.
Step 3: After doing that, double-click on the installer file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the antivirus program.
Step 4: Then open the antivirus program and perform a full system scan to detect and remove any malware or viruses once the installation is complete.
Step 5: Set the antivirus program to automatically update on a regular basis. This will ensure that your computer is protected against the latest threats.
Step 6: And finally, if the antivirus program detects any issues, follow the recommended steps to resolve them. This may include quarantining or deleting infected files or repairing any damage caused by malware.
Nonetheless, remember to keep your antivirus program up to date and perform regular scans to ensure the continued security and performance of your computer.
Delete or uninstall documents and data to improve performance
Deleting or uninstalling documents and data that are not useful can help free up space on your computer’s hard drive, which can improve its performance. Nonetheless, you can not delete files without double-checking if it’s useful or not. Otherwise, you may delete program drivers that are responsible for carrying out specific functions. For example Bluetooth or speaker drivers (VLC). Here are some steps you can take to delete or uninstall unnecessary files:
Firstly, determine which files are not useful. This may include old documents, duplicate files, temporary files, and programs that you no longer use. Then continue to delete unnecessary files. Simply locate them in their respective folders and drag them into the trash or right-click on them and select “Delete” to delete individual files. Otherwise, select them and then drag them into the trash or use the “Delete” key on your keyboard to delete multiple files at once.
Then move to uninstall programs. To do that go to the “Control Panel” in Windows or the “Applications” folder on a Mac and look for the program that you want to remove and uninstall programs that you no longer use. Follow the prompts to uninstall the program. Lastly and the most useful step is empty the trashing. After deleting files, be sure to empty the trash or recycle bin to permanently remove the files from your computer.
Moreover, cloud storage is another hack to free up space. It allows you to store your files and data remotely on servers managed by a third-party provider, rather than locally on your laptop’s hard drive. There are many cloud storage providers available, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Choose the one that best suits your needs.
File management for better performance of computer
Regular file management and freeing up space on your computer’s hard drive are important for maintaining optimal performance.
Use clear and descriptive names for your folders and files in the process of organizing your files. This will help you quickly identify what they contain. Then continue to delete any files or data that you no longer need or use. This includes old documents, duplicate files, temporary files, and programs that you no longer use.
Another significant step in file management is moving large files to external storage: Consider moving data to an external hard drive or cloud storage to free up space on your computer’s hard drive. You can also use disk cleanup tools in the computer system. Most operating systems have built-in disk cleanup tools that can help you free up space on your hard drive by deleting temporary files and other unnecessary data.
Lastly, disable unnecessary programs. Disable any programs that automatically start up when you boot your computer, as these can slow down your computer’s performance. You can do this by going to the “Task Manager” on Windows or the “Activity Monitor” on a Mac.
You can improve its performance and reduce the risk of errors and crashes by managing your files and freeing up space on your computer’s hard drive.
Update the computer operating system
Updating your computer’s operating system can improve its speed and performance in several ways.
One of the most important operating system updates often includes bug fixes that address known issues that can impact your computer’s performance. Then operating system updates also include security patches that address known vulnerabilities that could compromise your computer’s security. It also includes new features and improvements that can enhance the overall performance of your computer.
Lastly, updating your operating system can also ensure that your computer is compatible with the latest software and hardware.
Update hardware for good performance
Just like updating your OS, updating hardware can also improve the performance of your computer. For that, you can add more RAM to the computer. Adding more RAM (Random Access Memory) to your computer can help it run more smoothly and handle more tasks simultaneously. More RAM can help speed up your computer’s performance and reduce the time it takes to open applications and files.
After that, you can also try to upgrade your storage.
For example, if you’re running out of storage space on your hard drive, consider upgrading to a larger capacity drive. Then upgrade your graphics card. If you’re using your computer for gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks, upgrading your graphics card can greatly improve performance. Another major improvement is upgrading your processor. If you’re running a CPU-intensive application or your computer is running slowly, upgrading your processor can help.
Start-up programs for better computer performance
Startup programs can have a significant impact on the performance of your computer, as they can slow down the boot process and take up system resources. Here are some tips to optimize your startup programs for better computer performance:
Firstly, go through your startup programs and disable any that you don’t use regularly or don’t need to start automatically. This can help speed up the boot process and reduce the amount of memory used by your system. Then you can use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to see which programs are running at startup and how much memory they are using. This can help you identify any programs that are taking up too many resources and disable them if necessary. After that, you can also test several startup manager programs available that can help you manage your startup programs more easily. These programs can give you more control over your startup programs and help you optimize your system performance. Finally, make sure your startup programs are up to date with the latest version, as older versions can be less efficient and slow down your system.
Avoid spilling food and drinks around the computer
Avoiding spills around your computer is important for its performance and longevity. This may seem a basic tip compared to updating hardware, installing anti-virus, and managing unnecessary files, but spills can damage the internal components of your computer.
This may cause it to malfunction or even fail. Therefore, you should keep food and drinks away from your computer. Use spill-proof containers and if a spill happens then clean up spills immediately. For that, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe up any liquid, and make sure to dry the area thoroughly. Otherwise, use a protective cover to protect it from spills and other types of damage.
Conclusion:
Maintaining your computer is essential for ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. By taking the time to perform regular maintenance tasks, you can improve the performance of your computer and extend its lifespan. You will get improved computer performance, longer lifespan, protection against viruses and malware, better organization, and improved productivity.
You will get the most out of your technology and avoid common problems such as slow performance, system crashes, and data loss in your computer by practicing the tips regularly.
In this, you have discovered that running regular antivirus scans and keeping software up to date can prevent malware from infecting the computer, which can cause performance issues and put your personal data at risk.
Nonetheless, you will then observe the improved overall performance of the computer. Regular maintenance can help optimize the computer’s performance by removing unnecessary files, clearing cache and temporary files, and defragmenting the hard drive. And make sure to test and or upgrade other components of the computer hardware as well: Upgrading other components such as your motherboard, power supply, or cooling system can also improve your computer’s performance and stability as well.
