Updated April 21, 2023
One of the questions I often get asked is, "What can I do to maintain my computer". So in this article, I am going to share my five favorite tips for maintaining your Windows-based computer.
Regularly check your drive(s) for errors
This is one of the first things I do when I get a system in the shop. An error on the disk can cause all sorts of issues, so occasionally running a quick standard disk check is recommended. It is always best to try fixing any errors before they become huge problems.
For more information on how to perform a checkdisk, select your operating system below.
How to check your drive(s) for errors in Windows 11
How to check your drive(s) for errors in Windows 10
How to check your drive(s) for errors in Windows 8.1
How to check your drive(s) for errors in Windows 7 / Windows Vista
How to check your drive(s) for errors in Windows XP
Manually defragment and optimize your drive(s)
Even though Windows runs Defrag as part of the routine maintenance (usually weekly), you can always occasionally run it, as it is probably the best single thing you can do to speed up your computer. Imagine a filing cabinet where all of the folders were out of order and files were misplaced throughout the cabinet. How could you find anything? Same thing with your computer's drive. Disk Defragmenter takes care of that for you. And you can run it as a scheduled task too.
Select your operating system below for more information on how to use Disk Defragmenter.
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows 11
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows 10
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows 8.1
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows 7
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows Vista
How to defragment and optimize your drive in Windows XP
Clean up your drive(s) regularly
Now, Windows does include programs to clean up the miscellaneous files that build up over time, but by default, it is not set up to run automatically. You can set up Windows to perform these routine tasks, which include deleting temporary files and emptying the Recycle Bin.
For more information on how to use Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense, select your operating system below.
How to clean up your drive in Windows 11
How to clean up your drive in Windows 10
How to clean up your drive in Windows 8.1
How to clean up your drive in Windows 7 / Windows Vista
Install Windows updates when they become available
Once a month, Microsoft releases security patches called Cumulative Updates. They fix known security issues and should be applied as soon as possible. Microsoft has been using the same schedule for
releasing them for decades now. The second Tuesday of every month is known in the IT world as 'Patch Tuesday', so mark your calendar. And if, for some reason, Windows Update does not work correctly, click on the link below.
Troubleshooting problems with Windows Update
Backup of your computer on a regular schedule
Nothing can beat a complete backup when it comes to getting a computer back running after a drive failure. Sure, a drive failure is an extreme example, but it could be an update that did not install correctly or a corrupt driver that is preventing your system from booting correctly. And the software is already built-in; all you need is an external drive for the backup and a USB flash drive for a repair drive.
How to backup your Windows 11 computer
How to backup your Windows 10 computer
How to backup your Windows 8.1 computer
How to backup your Windows 7 / Windows Vista computer
How to backup your Windows XP computer