Is your PC running slower than usual? Random problems that seem to pop out during the most inconvenient times? Well, I think it's time to do a little maintenance to your PC. Most casual PC users tend to forget doing these things which can lead to problems and occasional slow downs.
We are here to give you helpful tips to help keep your PC running like new.
We are here to give you helpful tips to help keep your PC running like new.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Anti Virus Software
Let's face it: Windows will always be the number one target to viruses, malware, trojans and all kinds of nasty stuff that will slow down and infect your computer. It's been that way since Windows became popular and until now, Windows 7 is still vulnerable to threats unseen. Because of that, It's always rule no. 1 to install antivirus to protect your computer from being infected.
Since your anti-virus is your first line of defense, you would want to go for a utility that strikes a balance between something capable of defending your PC from the latest and most harmful of viruses and all kinds of security threats but it's still lightweight and flexible enough so it won't eat up resources. When choosing your anti-virus, you'd be like a soldier choosing a gun: you'd go for something capable of protecting you but it won't slow you down.
In the past, PC users would spend lots of money to buy an anti-virus utility. Good thing that now, free anti-viruses are now available online. We recommend you use these free ones since you could try them first and check if it slows down your PC or if they're easy to use. We recommend the following Anti-viruses:
- AVG Free Antivirus - AVG is very capable of protecting your PC with all kinds of threats that your PC might face. It's feature-rich and of course, it's free.
- Avast Antivirus - Avast is recommended because it's very lightweight and it does it's job without you noticing it or doing anything. Which is excellent for any anit-virus.
- Microsoft Security Essentials - MSE is the best Anit-virus utility out there. Not only it's made by the same people who made the OS you are using, but it's very lightweight, it performs its security checks silently without you doing anything and it's definitions are always updated.
Of course, nothing beats good 'ol common sense. Alway remember not to click links from people you don't know or if you think the link is very suspicious. Do not let your curiousity get the best of you. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Since your anti-virus is your first line of defense, you would want to go for a utility that strikes a balance between something capable of defending your PC from the latest and most harmful of viruses and all kinds of security threats but it's still lightweight and flexible enough so it won't eat up resources. When choosing your anti-virus, you'd be like a soldier choosing a gun: you'd go for something capable of protecting you but it won't slow you down.
In the past, PC users would spend lots of money to buy an anti-virus utility. Good thing that now, free anti-viruses are now available online. We recommend you use these free ones since you could try them first and check if it slows down your PC or if they're easy to use. We recommend the following Anti-viruses:
- AVG Free Antivirus - AVG is very capable of protecting your PC with all kinds of threats that your PC might face. It's feature-rich and of course, it's free.
- Avast Antivirus - Avast is recommended because it's very lightweight and it does it's job without you noticing it or doing anything. Which is excellent for any anit-virus.
- Microsoft Security Essentials - MSE is the best Anit-virus utility out there. Not only it's made by the same people who made the OS you are using, but it's very lightweight, it performs its security checks silently without you doing anything and it's definitions are always updated.
Of course, nothing beats good 'ol common sense. Alway remember not to click links from people you don't know or if you think the link is very suspicious. Do not let your curiousity get the best of you. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
But for local data, even with a crashed hard drive it's very easy to recover your data. Simply run Ubuntu off of a CD or USB and back up your files to a external harddrive and reformat your computer
I find most users don’t do these vital actions because they take too long, especially defragmenting. If using the built-in utility, defrag can take a very long time (and you can’t use the PC while it’s defragmenting)
I recommend using a good automatic third party program that can defrag transparently while using the PC.
Disks become fragmented with use. Fragmentation is the accumulation of incontiguous pieces of files and free space randomly scattered across a disk. Writing files to such a disk takes a long time (not to mention later accessing, editing and then saving them).
All this slows down the PC and wears out the disks much faster.
A basic defrag program will put all the pieces together, while a good one will also consolidate the free space; the best ones will do so while you use the PC and the best of the best will prevent fragmentation.
Here's a Top 10 Reviews side-by-side comparison of the best defrag programs available:
http://disk-defragmenter-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
The top placers are automatic and they all offer a free trial.
The gold medalist prevents fragmentation.
You can get a free trial via the review or at http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag