If only everything brand new stayed brand spanking new. The new personal computer you got for the holidays is running on its last gear. The start up is almost 5 minutes long, opening more than one tab makes everything slow, clicking has a delayed response, applications take another forever to open - and whoops - it crashes again. You restart it, and bam, another useless update is rearing its ugly head. Follow these five Ways, and you’ll be on your way to an almost brand spanking new.
1. Restore point and file recovery
If I manage to make anything worse on your laptop, which I highly doubt, always refer to your restore point.
This is a function on Windows/Macs that works like a video game save. If you die, you can load from where you saved. Run ‘Time Machine’ for Mac or search ‘Restore point’ in ‘Run’ (Windows Key + R) for Windows.
2. Permanently delete and empty recycling bin
Faster PC requires a lot of virtual manual labor. Check your downloads, documents, videos, photos, recycling bin and desktop to remove any unnecessary items. Then empty the recycling bin. This should be easy. Do you need 50 different versions of the same selfie? Or all those amateur photography shots of your coffee? I’ll answer that for you. Nopity-nope, get to clearing up that space for new things that your computer will need.
3. Remove useless apps
It’s time to break some hearts. You’ve got apps, on apps, in apps, with apps for apps--golly, get rid of it. Never used Skype? Uninstall it. Only use Safari? Get rid of other browsers. Nothing says fast like Free space to run.
4. Clear browsing history, cookies, bookmarks, etc.
Now that your favorite browser is on its own, it’s time to make sure it’s a well-oiled machine.
Delete bookmarks to broken links, or sites you never need to go to often, or can remember without it. Then go to your history, clear all browsing history and everything with it until the beginning of time. Once that’s done, you’re well on your way to a better PC.
5. XProtector & Windows Defender with CCleaner
Hold onto your knickers, because I’m about to blow your mind.
Most paid virus removal and firewall protection software are shams. You pay monthly prices of around $59.99 to “protect” your computer and remove junk, but really, you can get the same treatment for free. Introducing XProtector / Windows Defender. If you’re paying for firewall protection and virus removal, seek out for a refund and remove it. The chances are that you’ve been paying for similar services you can get from Xprotector and Windows Defender. And with CCleaner, a free software that removes junk and optimizes your computer (you can pay for defragmenting, auto cleaning and file recovery but those are advanced features), your PC is going to be in tip top shape. Free for both Mac and Windows.
6. Double check your emails, downloads, and wifi
We like getting emails from important people and companies. Whether it’s reminding you that you’ve got a balance update, or a sale is happening right now. While the case may be, we can’t forget phishing emails; scammers disguised as brands to get information from you. Sometimes all they need you to do is reply. So check the sender, don’t click any links, check their profile, search their username and dig dirt on every email that could be asking you for information or money. Another thing to check for is if you’re downloading from an email or installing software, that your browser says it’s okay. Sometimes it will warn you. When the installation process begins, at times the menu will say ‘Custom Install,' which you should click and check off any add-ons you don’t need.
When doing all of these daily functions, make sure you’re using secure wifi. If you're using a business free wifi or any free wifi at all, don’t use it to enter sacred info. Check, check and check.
7. Bonus: Adblocker (for Google Chrome)
The constant bombardment of advertising has gotten to a sickening point where we can’t click or watch anything without being forced to sit through a crappy advert. While this keeps the lights on for non-profit sites, we still can’t bend over backward for the excessive in-your-face-PC-slowing-ads. Use the white list feature to let ads run on certain domains, (your favorite Youtube channel, Google, Soundcloud, etc.)
