Recommended Monthly Computer Maintenance

Date posted: March 8, 2011

Despite what people think, computers do not last forever and they have a life span.   Your typical desktop will last between four and five years, and a typical laptop will last between three and four years.   A computer’s life is determined by hardware failure and also its limits in keeping up with software advances.  For example, you would not want a computer from 2006 running Windows 7.  Sure it will run, but the performance is not even worth it.

By performing monthly computer maintenance on your systems, you will ensure that you will be getting the most longevity and performance standpoints.   Here is a list of items that you should do on a monthly basis:

• Make sure that all critical Microsoft security patches are installed
• Verify that your virus protection software is updating properly
• Delete Windows temporary files located at  C:\Windows\Temp
• Delete users’ temporary files located at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp   (Windows XP)    or   C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp    (Windows Vista or 7)
• Delete all Internet Explorer temporary files.   While in Internet Explorer, click on Tools –>  Internet Options –>  Click on Delete and then make sure that you delete Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, and History
• Uninstall any programs that are no longer needed from the Control Panel  (Add/Remove Programs or  Programs and Features)
• Empty the Windows Recycling Bin
• Defragment the hard drive.   Click on Start –>  Programs  –> Accessories  –> System Tools  and then click on Disk Defragmenter
• Restart the computer (this is recommended weekly)

For any questions on computer maintenance, please e-mail us at support@onlineCTS.com