1. Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer can fix many common issues and only takes a couple of minutes. Often, a simple restart can clear up problems with freezing, slowness, apps not responding, etc. Restarting closes all open apps and processes and starts fresh – this simple step goes a long way. Some key tips:
- Don’t just shut the lid or press the power button once, make sure to restart properly through the Start menu.
- Save any open documents first! Restarting will close all unsaved work.
- If the computer is frozen, hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds until it forces a full shut down, then restart normally.
Restarting periodically also helps keep your computer running efficiently over time. I aim to restart my laptop every few days or anytime it’s acting sluggish. Just be sure to save your work first!
2. Update Your Computer Software
Keeping your software up-to-date is essential for fixing bugs, boosting security, and improving performance. Software companies regularly release updates to patch problems and optimize their programs. Failing to install updates often causes frustrating computer issues down the line.
Here are some tips for updating effectively:
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Update Windows – Go to Settings > Update & Security. Install any available updates. Windows updates frequently with security and software fixes.
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Update Applications – Open apps like Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc. and click Help > Check for Updates. Many apps have automatic updating options as well.
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Update Drivers – Device drivers allow your hardware and peripherals to communicate properly with Windows. Outdated drivers can cause crashes, slowness, and connection issues.
Staying current with all system and software updates takes a bit of time up front, but saves hours of troubleshooting headaches later on! I try to check for updates weekly.
3. Run Antivirus Scans
Viruses, malware, and other cyber threats can seriously harm your computer’s performance and corrupt your files. Running regular antivirus scans removes these dangerous programs and keeps your system secure. Here are some antivirus best practices:
- Use a reputable paid antivirus program like Norton, McAfee, etc. Free antivirus software often lacks robust protection.
- Set up automatic full scans at least once per week. I prefer doing scans at night when I’m sleeping.
- Do quick scans more regularly, like after installing a new program. Quick scans target key areas in just a few minutes.
- Quarantine or delete any threats immediately. Don’t ignore them!
- Keep your antivirus software updated for the latest definitions and protection.
A quality antivirus provides an essential shield against viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other nasty programs that can wreak havoc on your computer. Take the time to scan frequently!
4. Clear Out Storage Space
Low storage space slows computers down dramatically and can even prevent apps and systems from functioning properly. Taking the time to free up drive space resolves these issues and improves speed. Here are my go-to tips for clearing space:
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Uninstall unused programs – Get rid of desktop apps and Windows features you no longer need.
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Remove temporary files – Temporary and cached files build up rapidly. Use the Disk Cleanup utility to delete them.
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Store files elsewhere – Move documents, photos, videos, etc. to an external drive or cloud storage.
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Delete downloads – Empty your downloads folder, Recycle Bin, and other folders containing files you no longer need.
My computer starts slowing to a crawl below 20GB of free space, so I try to keep at least 50GB free on my laptop’s hard drive at all times. Performing a full disk cleanup once a month has worked well for me.
5. Fix Software Issues with Reinstalls
If closing and restarting an app doesn’t resolve strange behavior like freezing, crashing, etc. reinstalling the software often does the trick. Reinstalling replaces corrupt files, clears out bugs, and essentially gives you a fresh working copy of the program.
Here are some reinstall tips:
- First try uninstalling and restarting before reinstalling apps. This simpler fix works surprisingly often.
- Save any necessary data before reinstalling as the process may wipe settings and documents.
- With cloud-based apps like Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud, reinstalling is straightforward from your account dashboard.
- For desktop programs, you’ll need to download a fresh installer file from the company website.
While a bit time consuming, reinstalling apps with persistent issues nearly always resolves them for me. It’s a great fix for misbehaving, but important, software!
