It’s an ideal time to improve your device’s performance and increase your productivity.  Below are five ways to keep your computer working well.

Declutter and Organize Your Files

The longer you use your computer, the more files you will have on it. Reports, presentations, contracts, spreadsheets, and other types of business documents can quickly accumulate. It’s not uncommon to have duplicates in several different folders.  Save time by deleting the files you no longer need. When decluttering documents, you should only remove files in your personal folders. Deleting files in system folders might impair or break apps or systems.  Once unneeded files are deleted, organize the remaining files in a way that make sense to you. If you have documents that you rarely access but want to keep (e.g., old contracts), you might consider storing them in the cloud or an external hard drive.  This time invested to do this task will save you time and frustration.

Uninstall Unused Apps

Computers often come with bloatware — unwanted apps that either the operating system developer (e.g., Microsoft) or the device manufacturer preinstalled in hope that you will start using them. These programs can take up valuable space on your hard disk. They can also clutter up the app list, making it more difficult to find the apps you want to use.  In addition, review and delete applications that you installed but no longer use.

Ensure Your Backup Files Are Restorable

Backing up the files and systems on your computer is important to do often. At least once a year, make sure that the backup files being created can be fully restored. You do not want to find out that your backup files are corrupt and thus useless if you need to recover from a cyberattack or natural disaster.

Give Your Web Browser and Email App a Fresh Start

Your web browser and email app can become cluttered as well. Plan to clean them at least once a year:

In your web browser, review your “Bookmarks” or “Favourites” list and delete the entries for the web pages you no longer visit. This makes it easier to find the links you visit more frequently.

• In your email app, delete the messages you no longer need and use folders to organize the remaining ones. If your email folders still contain numerous emails, consider archiving older emails.

Physically Clean Your Computer

Your computer’s keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, and/or touchpad is important to keep clean. Your hands are constantly touching these elements, so they often host lots of bacteria.  One study found that a keyboard has on average, 20,598 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, while a mouse has, on average, 45,670 times more bacteria than a toilet handle.  Imagine!

Dust, crumbs, pet hair, and other debris can also build up on a computer and its peripherals. This can cause problems such as a key that sticks or a mouse that does not glide properly.

So plan to clean these items regularly — perhaps add a monthly reminder in your calendar.

We are IT specialists providing IT security for your business and your peace of mine.  See how IT Services can assist. 

CopperTree Solutions serves clients both large and small, in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, and around South Western Ontario.

Call 519-804-2461 or Colin.Shantz@ctsol.ca.