Everybody uses their computers in their own way, however, there are certain things we should all do on a regular basis, to keep our machines functioning almost as smoothly as the day we bought them.

Wear and tear is quite real, not just in the world of moving parts and hardware – so keeping your computer, which performs millions of operations a second, in good repair is just as vital as servicing your car.

We’ve shortlisted Simple Tips To Keep Your Laptop / PC Running Smoothly, and we can guarantee, that if you follow these tips in a timely fashion, your machine’s and your valuable data’s lifespan will remain long.

While these tips are tailored for Windows users, Mac and Linux users will also find important guidelines, with readily available counterparts for their platforms.

Perform a Disk Clean Up and Disk Defragment Regularly
Typically, these tasks should be performed every 10-15 days, and usefully, can even work in the background.

Perform a Scandisk Regularly
Typically, these should be performed every 30 days, or, whenever the computer recovers from force shutdown.

Install Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall
Most modern anti-virus and security suites have all three functions, however, feel free to choose more specialized software, as long as all three are turned on at all times.

Be Cautious Online
Always download content from trusted sources, do not visit dangerous or shoddily built sites, be vigilantly aware of offers that seem too good to be true, don’t open an email if you don’t know who it is from – no matter how attractive the subject line. Common sense and vigilance are your strongest defences here – second in line from your automatic firewall, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software.

Register Programs, Delete or Buy Expired Versions
If your purchased or downloaded program requires registration, try not to skip this step, as not only would it remove interruptions from registration notifications, but also, keep your software updated, and bug-free.

Install Only What You Need, Uninstall As Required
While most developers work to make their programs lightweight, efficient, and elegantly coded, if users install more than they need, it is tantamount to bloatware – slowing your system down. Install programs preferably with security certificates, and, if after a while, you realize you are not using it, please uninstall it to save hard disk space, and system resources.

How To Uninstall
Always uninstall programs via the provided uninstall application, or, via Add/Remove Programs, or its counterpart.

Set System Restore Points Regularly
This is one of the most important features of the modern operating system, allowing users to revert any potentially dangerous changes made to a computer by a program, or by the users themselves. This only takes a few minutes, and should be done once a week.

Remove Extraneous Programs from Startup
Programs loading during startup seriously increase boot times, and, can also take up system resources. You can either remove the programs from startup via their individual settings, or, you can type ‘msconfig’ in your Run menu, to use Selective Startup and choose only the relevant programs and services that should start up with your computer.

Set Windows Update To Automatic
Windows updates are tested thoroughly, and the chances are, they only improved system performance and security, rather than have any adverse effects. Therefore, why be interrupted by Windows Update notifications, when the computer can download and install them silently?

Clean Out Your Cabinet
If you have a desktop PC, we recommend cleaning out the insides of the cabinet four to six times in a year, using a compressed air can. This reduces the chance of a burnout or short because of dust collection or fan blockage.

Shutdown Correctly, and Use a UPS for Your Desktop
Always shutdown your Notebook/PC correctly, waiting till the system is completely off before switching it off from the mains, or pressing the power button. Using an uninterruptible power supply for desktops is always recommended, as operating systems, and programs can get serious errors and data discrepancies if shutdown incorrectly, during power failure. Couple the UPS with a spike buster, as power surges can blow out power supplies, and even more important components.