Maintaining your computer is the best way to keeping a healthy system that works over a long time. There are several things that any user can do to ensure that a system is running in tip-top shape.

The First item we recommend is to make sure your computer has enough ram. This is going to vary from user to user because everyone runs different types of programs and operating systems. When there is not enough system memory it forces the computer to use the pagefile to process information that is active in memory. Not only is this tons slower than memory access it puts extra load on your hard drive that is un-needed. Not only that it is totally frustrating when the computer won’t respond to the simple commands that you are giving it.

Watch what type of programs you install and where you go on the web. There are different programs and websites that install third party software such as browser add-ons, modules and extensions that slow browsers down and often times end up being spyware or malware.  These are the random desktop shortcuts which show up on your desktop and you know you didn’t install them. There is often times check boxes during the install of the programs that many people miss during install.

Try making a good habit of cleaning up your temporary internet files, cache and temp directories that are used for temporary storage of downloads. The disk cleanup utility included with windows is a good way to do it. After that is done try running a disk defrag. This helps organize information on your computer and keep it running quick.

Run virus and spyware scans often. No matter how safe you browse virus / mal-ware sneak onto the computer without you knowing it.  Sometimes it can run in the background and keep track of where you are going or use up precious CPU and resources. I recommend using CA antivirus if you want to buy one and if you insist on getting a free antivirus program try downloading antivir antivirus.  Top recommended spyware protection programs are Malwarebytes Anti-malware and spybot search and destroy. Those programs are free and are the best on the market for spyware/mal-ware.

One of the more simple things you can do to help keep a computers lifetime long is to keep it clean. Open up the inside every 2 or 3 months and blow it out with a compressor or compressed air. This helps keep air ventilated in your system and flowing how it is designed to. Over time the dust and dirt can clog up fans and movable parts causing over heating and more serious hardware problems.

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