A computer OS is a lot like your home. While it stands on a strong, solid framework that won't brook damage easily, it is extremely vulnerable to clutter and can become highly inefficient without proper maintenance. So, what do you need to do to keep your computer in top condition, months and - gasp - years after the latest reinstall? 1. Clean out temporary files - hit %temp% on the "Run" command of Windows, and delete everything you see. You may lose a few cookies, but that's well worth the memory saved. On Mac, empty out the Library>Cache folder. 2. Clean out other files you don't need. If you save .zip archives after extracting their contents, program setup files even after installing them and so on, rethink your game plan. Admittedly, zip files and installers can sometimes be useful, but such cases are rare - especially with software being constantly updated. This saves you hard drive space, and an overloaded hard drive is a highly common reason behind poor OS performance on old computers. 3. Defragment regularly. Defragmenting makes it easier for your OS to index the contents of your computer. It also increases your computer's speed, and decreases sudden slowdowns and crashes. Once a month is usually enough for defragmenting, unless you frequently download and delete files. 4. Guard your machine. AVG and Avast are two of the best free antivirus-cum-firewall programs available. Always keep these installed, as you never know when or where a worm enters your system. The NoScript plugin on Mozilla Firefox is also highly useful, as it lets you run scripts only on websites you tell the computer you trust. 5. Use the Windows System Maintenance tool, or the Mac Automator for workflows. This lets you perform all maintenance tasks at one go, even while you are asleep. 6. Check for errors regularly. Chkdsk/checkdisk is a useful utility for Windows, and disk utility for Mac. 7. Do not overload your system. With your antivirus, shell(Explorer/Finder/Nautilus) and Internet connection on, your computer is already using a bit of processing power. You can only hope that this is not too much. While you are free to use all the power you need, try not to keep programs open unnecessarily. This can lead to overheating... which affects your computer insidiously and terribly, eating it from the inside like damp in a building. 8. Keep your OS updated. Regular updates to your OS will keep it safe, above all else. You do not need to install features that you find unnecessary, but the security updates are usually very, very useful. A lot of people still believe that an OS has an expiry date and will "wear down" unless reinstalled. THIS IS NOT TRUE. By maintaining your OS and compensating for its weaknesses, you can keep your computer running at full speed for years after your OS install. In case you feel shaky, just ask your computer guy or your neighborhood geek to help you with these operations.
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