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We all get frustrated by a slow computer and it’s
always a case of ‘more haste and less speed’ when
you’re up against the clock. One sure way to boost
performance all round is to keep your PC healthy and
uncluttered, so why not follow our tips below.
1) Get your files in order
Setting some time aside to perform a bit of Feng
Shui on your filing system will save hours you in
the long run. Think of getting your files in order
as doing a bit of life laundry – getting yourself
organised will help get you working more
productively and avoid those last minute panics when
you can't locate the file you need.
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Get rid of old
rubbish
- start by getting rid of
the old files you don’t need any more and start with
a clean slate.
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Plan your strategy
- think about how best to arrange your new filing
system before you begin. What will make it easier
for you to find things? Think about how you use,
arrange and name subfolders. You may find it easier
to group things by months in which they were
created, for example, or by projects they relate to.
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Keep on top of your
housekeeping
- once you have your new system in
place, try to stick to it. Letting things slip is
all too easy so why not diary some time, say every
month or two, to have a bit of a tidy up.
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2) Clean your hard
drive
So your files and folder
structures are now all neat and tidy. But you can
take it a step further with a deeper system
overhaul.
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Use your Disk
Cleanup feature to compress all old files and give more storage space.
The Disk Defragmenter
will also scan your hard drive and clean up any
files across your system which can safely be removed.
Pencil this in as a task to run regularly. Once
every few months will ensure good PC housekeeping.
To run Disk Cleanup
in Windows 7
1.
Click on
Start at the bottom-left of your screen. Then click
on Accessories → System Tools → Disk
Cleanup. This will start Disk Cleanup running, and
it will calculate what space on your PC can be freed
up.
2.
When it
has finished scanning your system, it will let you
know what files you can safely remove in a dialog
box. Select which you like to remove, and then click
on OK.
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To run Disk
Defragmenter in Windows 7
1.
Click on Start at the
bottom-left of your screen. Then click on
Accessories → System Tools → Disk Defragmenter
2.
You will now see a
dialog box. Select the drives you wish to defragment
from those listed. Click on Analyze disk. It will
then let you know whether or not you should
defragment these drives.
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3.
Click on
Defragment disk to run the process. Results will be
shown upon completion.
4.
It may be that
your PC is already set up to do so, in which case
details will be displayed under Schedule on the
dialog box. To set up or amend a schedule for the
Disk defragmenter to run automatically, click on
Configure schedule/Turn on Schedule (which of these
phrases is displayed will depend on whether or not
you already have a schedule set up) and select your
choice of settings. Click on OK.
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3) Get anti-virus
software on your PC
If you haven’t already got
it, now is the time to ensure you are running
anti-virus software on your machine. Many PCs come
with software already installed, but this is usually
on a free trial basis. By failing to renew your
software, you are exposing your computer to a host
of viruses.
Spyware, adware, malware, worms,
Trojans – all wreak havoc with your systems. With
cyber criminals writing new programs at an alarming
rate, it is vital that you defend yourself with an
anti-virus package from a reputable vendor (that's
us!) to ensure the best protection against new and
emerging threats.
If you would like to
know more about purchasing anti-virus software, get
in touch with us today. We can advise you on the
best solution for your business.
And, finally, should the worst happen…
Perform a system
restore
Over its lifecycle, your PC
will have to cope with a number of adversities. From
power outages to finding itself on the wrong end of
a spiteful piece of malware, it’s a lot for it to
deal with, and this can have a big impact on your
productivity. Using System Restore can sometimes
safeguard against losing vital documents when the
unexpected occurs.
System Restore works by
automatically recording your files at points
throughout the day, meaning you can restore your
systems back to the last snapshot and avoid losing
everything should the worst case scenario ever
arise. It’s also worth running System Restore prior
to installing any new software you’re not 100% sure
about just to be on the safe side.
To set up
a System Restore in Windows 7
1.
Click on Start → Control Panel
2.
Click on System protection located to the
left
3.
Click on the System Protection tab
4.
Click on Create
5.
In the dialog box that appears, enter some words as
a description. Click on Create
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Delta Comtech Ltd
Artillery House, Heapy Street
Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7JB |
Tel:
0870 2200567
info@delta-comtech.co.uk |
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