How To Maintain Your Computer's Performance

Computers must be maintained to keep them running at maximum performance. Like an automobile getting its oil changed every 3,000 miles, it is very important to change the oil on your computer on a weekly basis to make sure it is running correctly. As an Introduction to Computers student, it is important to know how to schedule weekly computer maintenance to ensure your computer is running smoothly.:

1. Delete Internet history, cookies, and temporary files: Click on Tools, Internet Options, Delete under Browsing History, Select all the Check Boxes, and click on Delete. When browsing on the Internet many unneeded temporary files are collected and takes up space on the hard drive.

2. Disk Cleanup: Click on Computer under the Start menu. Right click on the C: Drive and Click on Disk Cleanup. This is a powerful tool. There are many files collected during the operation of your computer that can be safely deleted to free up space on the hard drive. You can select any or all of the selections. When clicking on each selection, there is a description of the files and how much space will be freed if deleted.

3. Registry Cleaner: While on the Internet, many files are collected that are needed any more, but take up space. Also, files and files extension may become broken or outdated. By using a registry cleaning tool (For Example: CCleaner is a very good free cleaning tool.). This tool will scan your computer for any temporary files the browser cleaning and disk cleanup doesn't find and allow you to safely delete them. It will also scan the registry for any unneeded file extensions or broken files that can be safely deleted.

The goal of this lesson is to give the student an overview of the workings of the computer while on the Internet and how the computer should be maintained for maximum performance. The performance is as important as the hardware and software used for education.