When you buy a laptop, you do so with the intention of using it for a long time. Unlike phones, which are usually updated every two years, some people spend years without computer change. And why would you do it? As the saying goes, "If it is not broken, do not fix it."
Owning a laptop is a bit like owning a car. With proper maintenance, smooth operation, and regular maintenance, your equipment will last for years. Ignoring important factors such as cleaning and manufacturer updates can cause the machine to stop working.
If you want to use your laptop for as long as possible, you need to perform these 7 essential maintenance tasks each month. Not only do these tips help you extend the life of your computer, they also work for laptops of all brands. So plug in your compressed air and prepare it: Your laptop will be a little more than necessary.
1. Save your hard disk by deleting old files
Regardless of whether you use your computer for work or your hobbies, many floating files are no longer used.
These can be old photos that you have already uploaded to Facebook, songs that you no longer care about, or installation files that remain in the download folder. Tap or click here to clean up these files. This frees up valuable space on your hard drive and space, so your computer can run faster.
Be sure to avoid any "critical" folders that contain files that need to be run on your computer before you thoroughly flush your system. On Windows, these are mainly located in the System32 folder.
Apple hides the critical files, so that users have nothing funny. Keep in mind that deleting critical files from the system prevents the full execution of your computer. Therefore, at the time of cleanup, delete only files that are not lost.
Here is a tip: Start in the Downloads folder. People download pictures, videos and installation files that stay here and accumulate dust. You will not believe how much space you will save if you simply drop it in the trash and click "empty".
2. Delete your desktop using Windows or MacOS
A messy desk is ugly. Nobody can deny that. Cleaning your office requires a bit of skill. Of course, you can just click on the icons and drag them until you get a similar order. However, this can take a long time, and you probably have better options than touching the mouse for an hour.
Fortunately, Windows and macOS provide automated organization options for their workstations.
In Windows, just right- click on the desktop background with the touchpad or mouse. Then move the mouse over the Sort by option and choose name , size , file type or modification date . Start by selecting Name because your symbols are sorted alphabetically. Once you click on it, the icons are sorted so you can choose which programs to keep and which ones to run.
On the Mac, all you have to do is right- click or Command + click and a menu option labeled STRETCH UP should be displayed. When you click on it, the icons on your desktop are automatically rearranged.
If a clean-up is not displayed when you right-click, your system may already be configured to organize the icons differently. To check, click on the desktop and select Show in the menu bar, then Sort by, then your preferred method of organization.
More information about customizing your cleaning can be found here. Apple's technical support manual on this topic may guide you through other options such as batteries and change the size of your icons.
3. Clear the cache and cookies of your browser.
This is important to keep your computer (and web browser) fast and secure. Even if you are surfing the Internet normally, many cookies will overwrite your browser files. Take time to get rid of them.
There are many browsers with different methods for deleting temporary files and cookies. Fortunately, we treat most of them in one of our previous articles ( tap or click here for more information ) about the importance of periodically deleting cookies.
Since most of our readers use Google Chrome, it's helpful to update the process for this popular browser.
In the Chrome window, click on the icon of three dots in the upper right corner of the browser. Then click Settings and scroll to the bottom of the page. Then click on Advanced to expand the menu. Scroll until you see Clear browsing data. Click to clear your cookies, your cache, and even your browsing history.
You can even set the time period for the deletion to continue if you want to keep some important elements of the history.
4. Clean screen and keyboard (of course with the right tools!)
After ordering the digital part of your computer, it's time to see the hardware for yourself. Failure to clean your computer on a regular basis can have catastrophic consequences for the life of your system. Imagine how many crumbs, skin cells and dirt are on your keyboard.
Imagine, all this dirt has accumulated over the years. It is not a nice photo.
You can prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime by investing in safe products for cleaning computers. These elements work with your system and are designed to prevent you from accidentally damaging your sensitive components.
Moistened wipes are the best option for your screen. These items contain a safe amount of moisture that can not damage your screen and improve the clarity of your screen.
Try using cleaning wipes for CareTouch lenses. Originally designed for eyewear, they are a sure way to shine your laptop screen. In addition, they can be safely used on smartphones and tablets.
Kim uses Windex electronic cloths, which are ideal for a no-trace shine.
As far as your keyboard is concerned, you should be careful. The unnecessary pressing of a clip into the space between the keys can destroy the sensitive mechanisms that make the thing work. The best solution is to use an "invisible touch" that removes the waste without physically touching it. For this you need a compressed air can or "canned air", as it is sometimes called.
These pressurized oxygen tanks are perfect for cleaning computers and have been used by IT professionals for a long time. Just aim the can lightly at the affected area and spray.
A small but powerful draft pushes the crumbs and dust even in the smallest of spaces. For the best airbox brand we recommend Dust-Off, a brand with a long service life and known for its compressed air quality. Follow the instructions on the packaging for maximum safety.
5. Clean your connections
Like the keyboard, your computer's connectors can become clogged with dust and dirt after years of use.
As you know, your computer has different types of connectors (unless you are using a new Macbook, they are just type C USB connectors). Each of these connections has a slightly different shape. The ingress and removal of dirt can be a challenge for the uninitiated.
Luckily, if you have followed the other steps, it is already compressed by hand. As with the keyboard, compressed air removes dirt and debris without touching the contacts in the terminals. Therefore, the use is absolutely safe!
This safety depends on how you handle the air. This is probably described in detail in the instructions on your can. It should be noted, however, that the compressed air at the outlet of the can is very, very cold. If it blows too close to a certain surface, a frost layer will temporarily appear.
For this reason, most pneumatic brands include a straw to direct the flow of air. However, this is not the case with everyone. To clean your connections as safely as possible, allow space between the port and the nozzle (or end of the straw) and gently squeeze the trigger for better control.
6. Check your camera and microphone
Not all laptops are equipped with them, but they are becoming more common in modern computers. These are important ways to communicate with loved ones, and you can even become a source of revenue if you are a blogger or a creator.
To keep these items clean, gently clean the camera with the above lens cleaners and clean the microphone with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use compressed air to clean the microphone, as it may loosen or displace internal components that can pick up sound.
But many of us have privacy and security issues. These concerns are not lost for industry titans like Mark Zuckerberg. Just click here or here to see what you are doing about it. Zuckerberg understands that bad actors can use portable cameras to spy on them.
There's nothing wrong with leaving your microphone and camera open, but for your reassurance, you should cover them up easily. Buy a sticker in the correct size to fill the full width of the camera lens. Three-dimensional stickers are strongly recommended as they are easy to remove if you change your mind.
7. Update your software and firmware
This is one of the most important things you can do for the longevity and security of your system. And rightly, otherwise you could not operate your computer for years if it was completely blocked by viruses.
Due to the harshness of hackers and cybercriminals, software and hardware developers are constantly being updated to keep the security of their systems as stable as possible. Although there may be a bad update here and there, security patches should not be avoided.
Even older or outdated operating systems tend to receive these kinds of updates. So, if you choose not to use the "feature versions", you should give your solutions some time. It is critical.
To upgrade to Windows 10, just click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the desktop, click Settings, and then click Update and Security . This menu shows the latest updates and patches available for your system.
Just open the App Store on the Mac and click Updates in the left sidebar. This will display any available updates that your Mac can download.
Keep your system up-to-date with updates, and you'll notice fewer problems with your system over time. In fact, this is one of the most effective defenses against common security vulnerabilities. Working regularly can help prevent emerging threats from affecting your system.
After you know the methods, it is up to you to put them into practice. If you do, you will be surprised how many years you can live with your machine. And with the prices of computers (especially Macs) skyrocketing over the years, it's bankrolling in the long run. What is better than that?
As an Amazon club, Komando.com can earn a commission for legitimate purchases on Amazon.com.
The 5 best computer chairs to store your back and 1 desk that everyone should have
When talking about fashion, ergonomics is important to business, as it is a good idea to keep your employees healthy. With this in mind, we present you with our 5 best computer chairs for your back and a desk.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire