It’s that time of year once again — you’ve set the clocks an hour forward, scrubbed down every inch of your house, organized your closet, and maybe even finally got to that pesky leak in the roof that’s been sitting on your to-do list. But what about cleaning up your computer? Many folks tend to forget that their favorite tech toys also need some love when it comes to a good ol’ spring cleaning. We’ve put together some helpful tips to give your computer a much needed scrub-down, inside and out.
1. Delete everything you don’t need.
Anything from duplicate files, items sitting in your trashcan, screenshots saved to your desktop, that one cat meme you sent to your coworker once, all must go. These miscellaneous files are taking up valuable space on your hard drive, so take a few minutes to purge anything you simply don’t need anymore, and don’t be skimpy. You’ll appreciate having the extra space later!
2. Organize your desktop.
We’ve all been guilty of having an over-crowded desktop from time to time. Go through all the items saved there and either delete or organize them into folders, such as “Current Projects,” “Ideas,” or “Templates.” Now you’ll actually be able to see your dazzling wallpaper hiding under all that mess!
3. Backup your files.
Music, photos, documents, you name it — you don’t ever want to risk losing precious files simply because you never took the time to back them up. Consider investing in an external hard drive where you can store all your files in one physical place in the case of an emergency, and don’t forget to use a daily backup system like Time Machine or File History. Saving all your files on a cloud-based backup as well is also a no-brainer in case your computer or device suddenly kicks the bucket.
4. Make sure all your software is up-to-date.
The next time you get that pop-up asking you to update one of your programs, don’t ignore it. In fact, take the time to go through all your programs such as Adobe Reader, iTunes, etc., and install all of the necessary software updates. Keeping your programs fresh and up-to-date means fewer bugs, faster and improved performance, and fewer headaches for you.
5. Clean your keyboard and screen.
You didn’t think we would skip physically cleaning your computer did you? Take five minutes to gently wipe down your screen with a microfiber cloth and some basic cleaning solution, as well as wipe off your keyboard and mouse with disinfectant wipes. You’ll be amazed at how much clearer your screen will appear without all that gunk on it, not to mention all the nasty bacteria you’ll be getting rid of on your keyboard. Yuck.
6. Double-check that your security/antivirus software is still working and current.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and there’s no better place to apply that mindset than with your computer’s security. Be sure to run an antivirus scan weekly to make sure your laptop or computer is currently protected, and check that your antivirus software is completely up-to-date. Not doing so can result in security flaws in the program that would make you more susceptible to malware and viruses. Consider also adding our VPN to your UsenetServer subscription — this software funnels all your Internet activity through our encrypted VPN tunnel, rendering your online identity completely anonymous and shielded from prying eyes. Add our VPN to your subscription today to have complete peace of mind when it comes to keeping your computer safe and sound.
Once you’ve taken the time to give your computer some TLC with these helpful tips, you’ll be ready to start the season off with some fresh spring in your step. Happy cleaning!
Do you have any extra advice on spring cleaning? Let us know in the comments below!