6 Tips To Speed Up Your PC!
Here are six simple steps which, if followed, will result in faster peformance and a more secure computing environment.
1. If you have never used keyboard shortcuts, now is the time to try. These can save you lots of time and extra mouse movement! Take Windows + M for example. This simple shortcut minimises all open windows in one quick sequence. Imagine how long it would take to click minimise on each of ten open windows. Windows + E open Windows Explorer directly. Windows + L locks your computer if you need to leave your desk.
2. Turn off the delete conformation message dialogue. It quite unnecessary since you can always recover a file from your Recycle Bin if necessary. This might sound simple but repetative tasks like this take up a lot of time considering that you will encounter it hundreds of times each month. To turn off this nag, right click the Recycle Bin and deselect ‘Display delete confirmation dialog’.
3. Over time files become fragmented and split all over the hard drive. This reduces overall system performance but can easily be remedied by using the Windows defragmenter. Most computer users forget about this altogether, so why not setup a schduled hard disk defragment to keep the Computer running optimally. Click on the Start button and go to All Programs. Select the Accessories folder, then the Systems Tools folder & click on Disk Defragmenter. Tick the ‘Run on a schedule’ box and then select ‘modify’. Here you can choose when and how often to run a defragment. Monthly would be a wise choice.
4. Devote some attention to Windows Updates. These are extremely important if you are hoping to stay secure and keep viruses out. Approximately once a month, Microsoft will release various security updates that are designed to fix specific security faults (‘Vulnerabilities’) in its Operating Systems. If left unpatched, these flaws can easily be used by hackers to infect your computer. Will you remember to check for updates and how will you know when new ones are available? Why not configure Automatic Updates and let it take care of this.
5.Set effective passwords for all user accounts on your PC. Dont forget the Administrator account. The best way to protect yourself from malicious hackers is to effectively password protect all your user accounts. An effective password will have at least seven characters & will contain a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
6.Get some decent Antivirus software. The free options are strugling this year. 2009 to date has been the worst ever for malware infections. Ask any tech or Computer Repair shop and they will confirm this. You need to strengthen your security to have a better chance of staying virus free. Not all antivirus software is equal. Some perform very poorly and are a total waste of money. Before buying, do some research & read some reviews. Antivirus software by itself is much better than bundled products from the likes of Norton & McAfee which includes antivirus, antispyware & firewall functionality all in one. These extra features are usually not very good and cause no end of headaches for end users. It’s much better to buy the best antivirus software that you can, and then look for the best antispyware application separately.
Youve arrived at the end. Be a responsible computer owner, head off and try these tips out!
Discover more about Virus Removal, PC Health Care and the best antivirus software
categories: computer performance,computer tips,windows tips,computer maintenance,internet security,antivirus,computer security,computers,internet,computer maintenance,software,windows,computers and internet