The performance of your computer is degraded over time due to accumulation of superfluous files and unnecessary applications that run in the background and sap system resources. In order to keep your PC in good working order, it is necessary to clean it from time to time. Here are some tips to help you optimize the performance of your PC:
1. Make sure that your computer has all available updates. Your school PC is updated automatically with Windows and Sophos (anti-virus) updates, but there are some other programs that grab updates as well, including Java, Apple’s iTunes and QuickTime, and Adobe Reader and Flash.
2. Delete stored Internet pages. As you browse the web, content from web pages is stored on your computer. The procedure for deleting this content is specific to the web browser that you use. Here are some instructions:
For Internet Explorer, choose Tools > Internet Options > click the Delete Browsing History button.
For Google Chrome, select Options > History > Clear Browsing History.
For Firefox, select Options > History > Clear Recent History.
3. Use tools to search for and to eliminate malware and adware.
The two best applications for this are Malwarebytes and CCleaner, which you can download by clicking the graphics below:
4. Use the Disk Cleanup feature of the Windows operating system. To access this, click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Remove all stored files to free up as much hard drive space as possible.
5. Uninstall programs that you no longer use. Open your PC’s Control Panel, look for Programs, and then select Uninstall or Remove Programs. Be sure that you don’t need the application before removing it.
Another thing you can do to speed up your machine is to shut it down and restart it frequently. This process clears out system memory, which is essential for a PC to store and process information quickly.
HISD Tech Notes 