Follow These 3 Steps to Keep Your Computer Running Smoothly

Is your computer one of the 260 million or so shipped in the last year?

Chances are, you spent anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on it. So you expect it to last at least 5-6 years, which is the average lifespan of a PC these days. Plus, you also want a good user experience in the meantime.

The good news is that if you take care of your device, you’ll get everything you hoped for and more.

Looking for tips on how to maintain a computer the right way? Fortunately, you don’t need a long checklist.

Read on to learn what you can do to maximize the performance and lifespan of your desktop or laptop!

1. Install New Updates

Operating system update popups are annoying, and they always seem to show up at the wrong time.

However, if you want your device to run as fast is it can for as long as it can, don’t hold off on downloading them. These updates often fix pesky bugs and patch up security vulnerabilities.

Have trouble remembering to update your computer on your own? Switch the settings to install updates automatically so you never have to worry about it again.

2. Get a Trusted Antivirus

Here’s an alarming fact: each year, over 300 million malware threats find their way onto the internet.

How can you keep your computer safe from them? Install antivirus software ASAP.

Instead of going with the least expensive option, compare features and read online reviews. Be sure to choose from the best antivirus programs on the market, including Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and Avast, to name a few.

Keep in mind that your antivirus needs regular updates too. Since new infections pop up every day, your software must be able to detect and remove them.

And you have to make sure you renew your antivirus once it expires, or you’ll lose protection. Some licenses end after several years, whereas others require year-to-year renewal.

Just to be safe, avoid downloading anything you’re unsure about. Steer clear of downloads from untrustworthy sites or weird email attachments.

3. Clean up Your Computer

If you want to maintain the physical components of your computer, lessons like this are a great place to start. You’ll learn how to keep your laptop battery healthy for longer and prevent your computer from overheating.

That said, maintaining a healthy, fast computer involves keeping things clean on the digital side as well.

Open up your Task Manager and click on the Startup section. Certain programs don’t need to run when you turn your computer on, so you can disable these. Once you do this, you’ll still be able to access them, but only when you need to.

Also, rather than letting desktop items pile up, place them in folders. This way, your computer won’t have to load each icon, decreasing the stress on your RAM.

Spot any downloads you don’t need anymore? Delete them and empty your recycle bin, and uninstall programs you no longer use to free up space on your hard drive.

Final Thoughts on How to Maintain a Computer

The cause of a slow computer can be anything from a full hard drive to excess programs to a virus. If your computer is several years old, it could also have to do with a failing hard drive, signaling it’s time to upgrade your hardware. However, if it only moves at a snail’s pace when you browse the net, get rid of unnecessary browser extensions and cut down on your tabs.

Now that you know how to maintain a computer, want to learn how to take your computer experience to the next level? If so, feel free to check out our list of must-have computer accessories!