Performing preventative maintenance on your personal computer is crucial to ensure that it runs smoothly and lasts longer. There are several do-it-yourself maintenance tasks that you can perform to keep your computer in top condition, but if you’re not comfortable with that, bring it on in and we’ll take care of it for you!
Firstly, keeping your computer physically clean is essential. Dust, dirt, food crumbs and pet hair can accumulate inside your computer, causing it to overheat and potentially damaging components. Use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust from the vents, fans, and other areas of your computer. Wipe down the outside of your computer with a damp cloth and clean your keyboard and mouse regularly. Avoid eating directly over your keyboard and keep drinks well away from the computer. Tight fitting lids on cups/water bottles can also help prevent spills and possible liquid damage.
Secondly, keeping your software up to date is crucial in maintaining the performance and security of your computer. Make sure to install the latest updates and patches for your operating system and other software regularly. This will fix bugs, add new features, and ensure that your computer is protected against the latest security threats. If you are running Windows 11, make sure you look under “advanced options” and “optional updates” for firmware and driver updates. These updates ensure that the physical components of the computer will continue to work with the software updates. If you use a Mac product, updating your MacOS regularly will ensure that you get the longest life out of your Mac and won’t run into issues with the MacOS security levels preventing you from accessing your favorite websites.
Thirdly, managing your storage space is essential for maintaining the speed and efficiency of your computer. Regularly deleting files and programs that you no longer need can free up space and improve performance. Old backups should be removed too as they can be quite sizeable files. Consider investing in an external hard drive or cloud storage service to backup important files and free up space on your computer.
Lastly, regularly scanning your computer for viruses and malware is essential in preventing data theft and other security issues. We recommend using the native Windows Security Center for antivirus and security, but you can install a 3rd party program if you prefer. We do recommend against Norton and McAfee as they tend to bog your system down and can greatly affect performance. If you choose to use a different program, aoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources to minimize the risk of infection.
In conclusion, performing regular preventative maintenance on your personal computer can help ensure that it runs smoothly and lasts longer. Keeping your computer clean, updating software, managing storage space, and scanning for viruses and malware are essential do-it-yourself maintenance tasks. By taking these steps, you can prevent issues and enjoy a faster and more secure computing experience.