Maintain

Here are a few tips to maintain your computer (screenshots coming soon!)

  • Install Windows Updates (gold shield in system tray at bottom right in XP, symbol in Vista)
  • Make sure your anti-virus software is updating – Windows will let you know if you have any security alerts: DON’T IGNORE THESE!
  • Run a disk cleanup
  • Run a disk defragment

To perform a disk cleanup:

1. Open “My Computer”

2. Right-click the C: drive

3. Click Properties

4. Click the “Disk Cleanup” button

5. You might have to wait until a window pops up

6. Check every box in the list

7. Click OK

To perform a disk defragmentation (do this AFTER a cleanup):

1. Open “My Computer”

2. Right-click the C: drive

3. Click Properties

4. Click the “Tools” tab

5. Click “Defragment Now”

6. When the window pops-up, make sure that the C: drive is selected, then click“Defragment.”