How to take care of your computer

How to take care of your computer. Everyone who has a computer has probably figured out many ways to keep their computer free from viruses, cluttering their space, and making it run faster. However, it takes more than what the operating system provides to keep your computer clutter free, defrag, and running smooth, as well as virus, spyware and adware free. This article is not only about what Windows xp PRO can do for you, but about going beyond to download able software to help protect your computer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• laptop or desktop computer
• internet connection
• able to download software
• able to understand your operating system and some of methods it provides.

1. Step 1 in the process of protecting your computer is making sure you are protected. By protected, I mean having an anti-virus, anti-spyware/adware, and a working firewall. Without all of these your computer may be susceptible to harmful viruses, spyware and even hackers getting into your computer. But most likely, your safe from hackers as long as you stay away from them, websites that steal information or phish, and pirated sites that contain download able viruses that can destroy your computer as well as your life. Check out these links:
   
   http://free.grisoft.com/
   http://www.spywareterminator.com/
   http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5&cdlpid=10045910
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_microsoft_antispyware/
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_zonealarm_free/
2. Step 2 in protecting your computer is having the necessary utilities to clean your computer. your computer requires a defrag , disk clean up, registry clean up and defrag, temporary files and browser clean up, and or a privacy clean up. I have been using computers since the late 80s, started out in dos and have worked my way up to windows xp pro, and have learned that sometimes windows can become corrupted, have a hardware or software malfunction, and when it's not fixable it requires a reformat. And for a lot of people, that becomes a hassle. If you download a lot of music, videos, and photos then you need to get a backup drive specifically for that, that way only important documents, images, and other stuff are just on your computer. check out the links below for downloadable software to help clean your computer:
   
   http://www.ccleaner.com/
   http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag
   http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/
   http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html
   http://www.revouninstaller.com/
   
   tuneup, ccleaner, and advanced windows care all contain a registry cleaner to fix invalid entries
3. step 3 in protecting your computer is understanding your processes running, your startup entries, encrypting information you want hidden from others, and how to determine which programs are harmful.
   
   Microsoft windows has an integrated process and startup. To access your processes running hit ctrl+alt+del, for startup, go to "run" and type in msconfig, go to startup, and disable or enable any startup entries you desire. First go to services and click on "hide all microsoft services" that way you don't end up with a startup without your internet! Please check the links below for software:
   
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_winpatrol/
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/
   http://www.filehippo.com/download_process_explorer/
   http://www.revouninstaller.com/
   http://www.truecrypt.org/
   
   process explorer takes over the original process explorer by windows xp, it gives you more control over your processes. Hijack this creates a log of all processes and software. Winpatrol is a startup software that alerts you of suspicious start up entries, as well as letting you control which startup entries should be started.
   
   Finally...be sure to use all software in conjunction with your operating system that way you are fully protected.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to read the policy and limitations as set per program, all software here is free except for tuneup-utilities.
• there are tons of software available that all do the same thing, but i'm sharing with you the best of the best, that get the job done GREAT. You will soon find what your computer really needs
• To maximize your computer be sure to run daily tests for viruses, weekly defrag, and cleaning your computer as soon as you are done with it, or when your bored and want to clean your computer.
• Do not edit the windows registry unless you are an experienced windows xp technician or know what you are doing.
• Do not manually uninstall, delete or move files as that may corrupt your hardware or software. Always use an uninstaller, such as revo uninstaller, it's free, and offers 3 different uninstall levels, it goes so far as to uninstall directly from the registry. (Much better than windows original uninstaller)