A computer is among the most delicate items in your home and office. In fact, many internal and external issues can easily damage it if not solved on time. However, routine and proper computer maintenance has many benefits.
It improves the computer’s durability and speed and protects your data. Let us take you through the eight best computer care and maintenance tips.
1. Perform Regular Virus Scans
Anti-virus software is a top security measure that keeps your computer safe from malware. Install it on your device and perform regular virus scans. This helps you to detect any viruses as soon as possible before they cause any harm to your PC.
Best of all, after scanning and identifying any malware, the anti-virus software handles them. But you should also update it whenever the vendor creates a new version. Updated versions usually come with stronger security features to handle any new threats.
2. Lock and Unplug After Use
Locking your computer after use helps you to prevent unauthorized access to it. This keeps all your files and private data safe from being accessed by third parties. Remember, if someone else accesses it, the person can tamper with your computer system. You can lock it using a password-protected screen saver or do it manually.
Guess what? It also limits strangers from accessing your online accounts. For example, no one can use your shopping, banking, streaming, and gambling accounts on various sites. Fortunately, for Canadians, some of the best real money online casinos in Canada have strong security measures. North Casino, for instance, protects their customers’ personal data using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, which is the industry standard these days. They also advise players to set up two-factor authentication for an additional layer of security.
On the other hand, also unplug your computer after use. Computers generate heat as they run, and when you unplug it, you minimize heat buildup. The practice allows the internal components to cool down, which prevents overheating and damage.
3. Use Cloud Storage
Computers need enough space to efficiently perform their daily tasks. They need at least 10% free space for fragmentation and virtual memory. However, if you store many files on your computer, they slow it down. Not only that, but they also cause freezes and crashes. The best thing is to create more space by uploading some of your files to cloud storage.
Good enough, several cloud storages provide free space. For example, Google Drive offers 15 gigabytes of free storage. You can later pay for more after using it up. Also, you can use an external hard disk or a USB drive to keep the excess data from your computer.
4. Fight the Dust
Dust and debris accumulate in the different parts of your computer with time. So get rid of them regularly because they slow your PC and lead to hardware malfunction. Do it by opening your assembled desktop computer and cleaning the different parts. Look for areas with accumulated dust, such as:
- The fan-cooling areas
- The processor
- Ram slots.
A computer cleaning kit is good for cleaning because it won’t damage the parts. However, for laptops, you do not have to open the shell but use a gentle vacuum to clean the Keyboard.
5. Update Your Computer Software
Updating your computer software is among the best ways to protect it from data breaches and external threats. Pay attention to notifications that appear on your PC because vendors use them to inform you about any new updates. Undoubtedly, regular computer software update has many benefits, including:
- Protecting your data
- Patching up security flaws
- Improving computer compatibility with applications
- Getting the latest features
- Improving overall performance.
The other good news is that the process takes a few minutes, and all your saved data isn’t affected.
6. Avoid Overheating
Protect your computer’s Central Processing Unit from overheating because it affects its operations. The CPU is your computer’s brain, it processes and executes instructions from the operating system and other hardware components.
When it overheats, many problems occur, ranging from random shutdowns to stuttering crashes. Too much heat can permanently damage the CPU and shorten its lifespan. But you can cool it down in many ways, such as:
- Closing programs with high CPU usage.
- Improving airflow by positioning it in a well-ventilated place.
- Inspecting the fans and vents.
- Adjusting CPU fan speed in BIOS.
- Replacing the CPU cooler.
7. Embrace the Windows Task Manager
It is an inbuilt tool that helps you monitor various activities in your computer system. The Windows Task Manager allows you to watch and control different processes and apps running on your Windows. This helps you to quickly identify and terminate unruly programs.
You can launch it in two different ways. One is pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys together to open the Windows security page. You will find Windows Task Manager among the listed options, and you can click on it to open it. Another way is by using the Start menu search bar to look for it.
8. Protect the Battery
Protect the battery of your laptop to improve its lifespan. It is advisable not to let the battery get to zero. Keep it between 40 and 80 percent because fully charging it from Zero can reduce the overall power over time.
Moreover, unplug the laptop when fully charged because it stops charging when it hits 100%. But the power is then diverted to the system, which can affect it. Also, keep the laptop in cool places to prevent it from overheating because too much heat damages the battery. In other words, a hot battery degrades faster in health than a cool one.
Boost Your Computer’s Lifespan
Computers are not only delicate but also expensive because they are highly priced. So ensure it serves you longer to get value for your money. Take good care of your computer to boost its lifespan.
