Technology

How to Maximize Your Computer’s Potential

To begin, you need to install a single anti-malware and anti-virus tool. The premium edition of AVG Internet Security is highly recommended. Before being installed, it can identify potentially harmful software. Maintain a regular scanning schedule (at least once per week) and updates.

Always install the newest Windows updates. Every month on the second Tuesday, Windows releases new updates. Occasionally updates come out on days other than every other Tuesday. You should check for Windows updates once a month, if not more frequently.

Ccleaner, in its free form, is a valuable program that you should have. Once a week, I would run it.

Use Windows’ built-in disk cleanup utility. Select Disk Cleanup from the list of programs’ “All Utilities” menu item. You can get rid of old data now that you no longer require it. Use it every week.

Start the Disk Defragmenter tool on Windows. Select the Start menu and All Programs, Accessories, and System Tools to get Disk Defragmenter. Due to repeated program installation and removal, a hard drive’s ability to quickly locate individual files or segments of files can degrade with time. Fragmentation describes this process. Your computer will run faster after running the Disk Defragmenter Program, which will assemble all the fragments of the files into a single file so that the hard drive doesn’t have to go on a wild goose chase to find them. Once a week, I would run it.

Don’t load Windows with unneeded applications. This typically occurs whenever you install or update a piece of software. When you switch on your computer, Windows will automatically launch the software. Having programs like iTunes or Adobe Reader launch automatically whenever you boot up your computer is unnecessary. Those applications aren’t necessary for the computer to function. Here’s how to disable apps from starting up automatically. Select “msconfig” (without the quotes) from the Start menu’s search bar. Select the Startup tab afterward. The only startup items you need are the virus scan (AVG) and whatever is listed under “C: WindowsSystem32” in the Command column. These are programs that must be installed before Windows can be used.

Keep your desktop and taskbar mostly icon-free. Using more memory causes your computer to run more slowly. To remove an icon, right-click it and select Delete or Remove from the menu.

When I set up new software, I always opt for the advanced configuration options rather than the quick setup. You can choose what to install, thanks to the individualized procedure. When installing software, you may be prompted to download additional, unnecessary components, such as browser toolbars like Ask, Yahoo, and others, or antivirus software like McAfee. The express setup will sneakily install all that software into your machine without your knowledge. You can avoid installing unnecessary extras by deselecting this in the custom settings.

Avoid downloading any unnecessary software or playing any online games. This includes safe search protection, search, PC backup, speed up my PC, coupon, shopper saving, and browser toolbars like the Yahoo toolbar. You can skip the useless browser toolbars. These useless tools will slow down your computer and make it more vulnerable to hackers by installing unwanted software such as adware, malware, and pop-up ads. In the default setup, most of this is installed without your knowledge. To prevent the installation of unnecessary extras, a bespoke installation is recommended. One of the advertisements you could encounter online asks, “Is your PC slow? A “Click here to have a free scan and speed it up” button or window should pop up. Click here to delete the virus from your computer. DO NOT GO TO THAT LINK. DON’T PANIC.

Keep clear from file-sharing websites like Limewire and bit-torrent sites like The Pirate Bay, where you can download movies and music illegally. Even though many people do it because it costs nothing, downloading legally protected works is prohibited. Don’t be cheap; buy CDs and DVDs instead. Do you want to receive a letter from the MPAA threatening a lawsuit for hundreds of thousands of dollars per film or song? Downloading some bit torrents is fine. However, the vast majority of floods are illegal. Almost anything that would cost money to buy or stream legally, such as movies or music, is unlawful to download. Likewise, many torrents and files shared via services like Limewire contain malicious software.

Guys, we know it’s hard to stay away from porn sites, but a quick Google search will reveal that many of them have been hacked and compromised, meaning that visiting them could result in pop-ups and the installation of malicious software on your computer. To that end, please exercise caution when viewing pornographic material.

In your browser’s settings (Mozilla Firefox is my personal recommendation), disable cookie storage and ensure that temporary internet files are deleted at the conclusion of each session.

Do not open messages with no subject or from unknown senders. Please get rid of them.

If you follow these steps, you can maintain top performance on your computer.

linda