Simple Computer Clean-Up Steps For Us Non-Techies

I don't know many people who like to replace an old, failing, slow-as-molasses computer with a new one. Regardless of how many times a day you curse at that stupid desktop or laptop computer, you are familiar with where your documents are, how to pull up Word or Excel, and what apps will do what. There is comfort in familiarity, even if it is frustrating.

A fact of modern day life is that you will have to replace that old machine at some point. While computer companies suggest you upgrade to the newest and fastest every two years or so, most of us can resist that siren call of planned obsolescence. We wait until it takes 5 minutes to boot up, or the hard drive begins to sound like an old lawnmower.

I speak from current experience. I am in the midst of moving my life from an eight year old desktop computer to a laptop. For decades I've believed I'd only be comfortable with a big CPU sitting on the floor, complete with DVD or CD burner, and a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse sitting on a desk.

Guess what? A laptop works just as well. It has double the hard drive storage space, three times the RAM memory, and a keyboard that makes just as many mistakes as my old one (hold on, that is my typing?). Saving about 20 pounds and lots of space, I made the move a month ago. Of course, I am still behind the times; many folks have decided either a tablet or smartphone are enough. But, for blogging, and other functions, I needed something a bit more robust.

I am approaching the transition slowly and with an overabundance of caution. The budgeting program I depend on is loaded on the laptop, but not set to take over until January 1st. All the programs and files I want from the desktop were put on an external hard drive. I upload what I need, when I need it, to the laptop. If there is a new program or web site that looks interesting, it is tested on the old computer first.

There are still plenty of hassles. The laptop has to be set up to work and look the way I prefer. Connections between the wireless network and printer must be reconfigured. The default programs for opening email or viewing videos must be selected. 

Even so, I am very happy with the move. The laptop is many times faster than its older brother. The screen, at 17", is generous by laptop standards, but smaller than the old monitor. With a crisper screen I am quite content with the somewhat smaller size. By only transferring programs or files when I need them, the process is not overwhelming.

All that said, most of you are not about to upgrade or replace your computer. It is expensive and only undertaken when need be. Readers have asked that I provide a few basic computer cleanup tips, so this seems like an appropriate place to put them. If you are not changing electronics, but would like to make what you own operate a little quicker and be more reliable, here are some ideas from a non-computer expert that have worked well for me over the years.

1) Make sure you have well respected anti-virus and malware programs operating and regularly install any updates they offer. The world is a nasty place; there are lots of bad actors who want to make your computer life unpleasant, or dangerous. 

2) Run a basic disc cleanup every few months. Navigate to your hard drive (usually found in your files area), right click the :C drive, click on Properties. That will open a screen that has a clickable box labeled "Disc Cleanup." Click it, and follow instructions. This step allows you to get rid of all sorts of junk that can slow down your computer and eat up hard drive space. Most good anti-virus and malware programs offer similar steps to clean up data clutter. Disc cleanup is one of the simplest ways to reclaim wasted space and speed everything up.

3) Be sure you have Windows updates and Microsoft security patches installed whenever they become available. I suggest you allow them to install automatically, meaning one less thing to worry about.

4) Type Control Panel in the search box usually found in the lower left corner of the home screen. Click it and find Programs, Uninstall a program. Click that link. Every program installed on the hard drive will be listed. Choose uninstall for any software program that you no longer use. Only uninstall programs you recognize. There are plenty of things on that list that the computer needs to operate, so if you don't know what something does, leave it alone. 

5) Most of us forget this step, but is essential if you have a desktop computer with the big box holding all the components on the floor. Dust kills computers. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner on any vents, fans, or openings you see where dust can become trapped and choke off air flow into the computer. Actually, the inside of the computer should have this same treatment, though most of us are hesitant to take the thing apart.

6) This is a little more advanced but can make a big difference in how quickly your computer starts up each morning: change the startup programs that load when the power switch is turned on. Rather than try to walk through all the steps in this post, follow this link. This makes quite a difference in how long you wait for your beloved baby to boot up.


I can only speak to Windows, so if an Apple reader would like to leave the steps for a Mac, that would be great. 

I hope all this helps you make peace with an essential part of modern life. If you are thinking of getting a new system, I wish you good luck and a virus-free experience.