In this article you will find six simple tips to boost your computer's performance and keep you safe when using the internet.
1. Use keyboard shortcuts! Seriously, if you try this a few times, you wont go back to the old slower way. There are loads of shortcuts and most focus involve the Windows key. Windows Key + Tab cycles through the programs on the taskbar in Vista using its Flip3-D feature. Windows key + M minimises all windows immediately. Windows + L locks the computer if you have to leave your desk unattended.
2. Another repetative timewaster in Windows is the delete confirmation message. It is one of the most annoying and unnecessary prompts you will encounter. In the course of an average computing month you will have told Windows hundreds of times that yes, you really do want to delete that file! To switch off this nag, right click on the Recycle Bin and untick the option to display the delete confirmation dialog.
3. Over time files become fragmented and split all over the hard drive. This reduces overall system performance but can easily be remedied by using the Windows defragmenter. Most computer users forget about this altogether, so why not setup a schduled hard disk defragment to keep the Computer running optimally. Click on the Start button and go to All Programs. Select the Accessories folder, then the Systems Tools folder & click on Disk Defragmenter. Tick the 'Run on a schedule' box and then select 'modify'. Here you can choose when and how often to run a defragment. Monthly would be a wise choice.
4.Keep Windows updated. Hackers constantly find new ways to attack your PC with viri & other attacks. Microsoft develops security updates and patches to fix them vulnerabilities in their software that are often exploited to install malware. The security fixes are available, but PC owners often don't install them at all or in time. Make sure this doesn't happen to you. Turn on Automatic Updates right away. An extra benefit of switching on Automatic Updates is that you will receive other software updates as well as secuirty patches. These will make your computer run better and faster or add extra functionality.
5. Make sure all of your user accounts are password protected, especially the default Administrator account. If this has already been done, think about whether your existing passwords are good enough. Simple passwords are dangerous. If you're using any of the following for passwords you probably aren't as secure as you think: names of children, pets, parents, phone numbers or birthdays. Something like Zs86jF03t is much more effective. Notice the mix of upper and lowercase letters interspersed with numbers.
6.Get some decent Antivirus software. The free options are strugling this year. 2009 to date has been the worst ever for malware infections. Ask any tech or Computer Repair shop and they will confirm this. You need to strengthen your security to have a better chance of staying virus free. Not all antivirus software is equal. Some perform very poorly and are a total waste of money. Before buying, do some research & read some reviews. Antivirus software by itself is much better than bundled products from the likes of Norton & McAfee which includes antivirus, antispyware & firewall functionality all in one. These extra features are usually not very good and cause no end of headaches for end users. It's much better to buy the best antivirus software that you can, and then look for the best antispyware application separately.
Take these simple steps onboard and both you and your computer will be much happier tech travellers!
1. Use keyboard shortcuts! Seriously, if you try this a few times, you wont go back to the old slower way. There are loads of shortcuts and most focus involve the Windows key. Windows Key + Tab cycles through the programs on the taskbar in Vista using its Flip3-D feature. Windows key + M minimises all windows immediately. Windows + L locks the computer if you have to leave your desk unattended.
2. Another repetative timewaster in Windows is the delete confirmation message. It is one of the most annoying and unnecessary prompts you will encounter. In the course of an average computing month you will have told Windows hundreds of times that yes, you really do want to delete that file! To switch off this nag, right click on the Recycle Bin and untick the option to display the delete confirmation dialog.
3. Over time files become fragmented and split all over the hard drive. This reduces overall system performance but can easily be remedied by using the Windows defragmenter. Most computer users forget about this altogether, so why not setup a schduled hard disk defragment to keep the Computer running optimally. Click on the Start button and go to All Programs. Select the Accessories folder, then the Systems Tools folder & click on Disk Defragmenter. Tick the 'Run on a schedule' box and then select 'modify'. Here you can choose when and how often to run a defragment. Monthly would be a wise choice.
4.Keep Windows updated. Hackers constantly find new ways to attack your PC with viri & other attacks. Microsoft develops security updates and patches to fix them vulnerabilities in their software that are often exploited to install malware. The security fixes are available, but PC owners often don't install them at all or in time. Make sure this doesn't happen to you. Turn on Automatic Updates right away. An extra benefit of switching on Automatic Updates is that you will receive other software updates as well as secuirty patches. These will make your computer run better and faster or add extra functionality.
5. Make sure all of your user accounts are password protected, especially the default Administrator account. If this has already been done, think about whether your existing passwords are good enough. Simple passwords are dangerous. If you're using any of the following for passwords you probably aren't as secure as you think: names of children, pets, parents, phone numbers or birthdays. Something like Zs86jF03t is much more effective. Notice the mix of upper and lowercase letters interspersed with numbers.
6.Get some decent Antivirus software. The free options are strugling this year. 2009 to date has been the worst ever for malware infections. Ask any tech or Computer Repair shop and they will confirm this. You need to strengthen your security to have a better chance of staying virus free. Not all antivirus software is equal. Some perform very poorly and are a total waste of money. Before buying, do some research & read some reviews. Antivirus software by itself is much better than bundled products from the likes of Norton & McAfee which includes antivirus, antispyware & firewall functionality all in one. These extra features are usually not very good and cause no end of headaches for end users. It's much better to buy the best antivirus software that you can, and then look for the best antispyware application separately.
Take these simple steps onboard and both you and your computer will be much happier tech travellers!
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To find out more about the Best Antivirus and virus removal visit http://www.virusremoval.org
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