IT Maintenance tips
Explore Our Top Tips for Keeping Your Technical Devices Running Smoothly!
Uncover essential maintenance advice and clever tricks to enhance the longevity and performance of your cherished devices.
System & Data Backups
Review, update and test your file backup process.
- If you do not have a backup system, consider purchasing a portable back up hard drive.
- Check your scheduled “backup” scheme to see if it is still applicable. Add folders and files to be backed up as necessary.
- Test the restore function for the backed up files to ensure the restore works properly. Create a folder on you computer and restore your back up to the folder. Afterwards, delete the test folder.
Anti Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection
Check all products for current versions and updates.
- Confirm “Automatic Update” settings are set properly (applied at least weekly or as available).Confirm that applicable updates have been applied and that you have current versions and updates for all products. You may need to visit the vendor site for details.
- Confirm that your software licenses are current (if applicable).
- Run complete virus and anti-spyware scans on all drives. This should be done on a weekly basis.
Firewall
Check firewall settings to check for a current licensed version and updates.
- Review settings for product configurations. Confirm settings are appropriate for the current level of security needed.
- Review firewall settings to ensure they are configured for automatic updates (if available), known applications are allowed, known inappropriate sites are blocked and known port scans are blocked.
- Confirm that the firewall is updated and that the license is current (if applicable).
Internet Browser
Check your browser configuration to ensure you have appropriate secure zone settings.
- Review current zone settings (Tools/Internet Options/Security tab) for appropriate levels. The minimum level of security should be the default level which is set at Medium-High for the Internet zone. Adjustments can be made based on your needs.
- Confirm “Automatic Update” settings for your browser are set properly (applied at least weekly or as available).
Operating System
Check for updates and remove unneeded programs.
- Confirm that the “Automatic Update” settings are set properly (applied at least weekly or as available). Confirm that Applicable updates (Critical, Important) have been applied to your operating system (Settings/Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs and click Show updates).
- Remove old System Restore Points – Use Start/Control Panel/System/System Restore tab, check “Turn off System Restore” box to remove all restore points except the most recent.
- Remove unneeded programs and “trial” programs. Go to Settings/Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs to uninstall a program.
Hard Disk Drive Maintenance
Ensure your hard disk is operating at peak efficiency.
- Scan your Hard Disk for errors. In Windows Explorer select the drive then right click-Properties/Tools/Check Now/. Check “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.”
- Defragment your Hard Disk Drive. The data on your hard drive can get separated or fragmented making your computer less efficient. Defragmenting physically reorganizes the data to store the pieces of each file close together for more efficient storage and retrieval. In Windows Explorer select the drive then right click-Properties/Tools/Defragment Now.
- Remove old files and emails on your PC. Remember to empty the “Recycle Bin” or “Deleted Items” (Outlook) folders.
- Clean up your disk to remove cookies, temp files, cache, and history files. Go to Start/Program/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup.
Have & Mac and Wondering about Maintenance??
Optimize, and maintain your Mac
- Clean, optimize, and maintain your Mac with an all-new CleanMyMac 3. It scans every inch of your system, removes gigabytes of junk in just two clicks, and monitors your Mac’s health.
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