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To ensure an efficient and enjoyable computing experience, keep your computer clean and well-organized. Removing old programs and drivers frees up memory and reduces the potential for system conflicts.  Beyond digital cleanup, it’s also important to give the physical parts of your computer some TLC. Left too long, dirt and grime can build up and cause damage to your hardware. So, set aside some time each quarter to complete the following tasks.

Remove Unused Programs

To get rid of never- or seldom-used programs, launch Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel and examine each item. Don't meddle with items that are completely unfamiliar; they may be required by the system. But if you find a standalone application that you no longer use, get rid of it!  Some programs come with their own uninstall program which may do a better job of removing the program.  Check the program folder for an uninstall file and use that one instead of the Windows uninstall.  If an uninstall file is not available, then use the Windows Add/Remove Programs process.

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Scan Your Hard Drive(s):

The program Scandisk checks a hard drive for errors. Run ScanDisk before running the Defragmenter as follows:

ScanDisk in Windows 2000 and XP

1. Click Start, then open My Computer.

2. Right-click on the hard drive icon (usually C:\).

3. Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab.

4. Click Check Now.

5. Place check marks in all check boxes.

6. Click OK, and then click Yes to schedule a full disk scan when the computer is restarted.

7. Restart the computer. The disk scan can take a very long time to complete.

ScanDisk in Windows 95, 98, and Me

1. Close all programs that are running. This includes background programs such as virus scanners. This includes background programs such as anti-virus programs, firewalls and screen savers. To close programs that are running in the background: hit the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys all at the same time. This will show you what is running and you can highlight one at a time and click End task. Do this for each program that is running except for Explorer and Systray as they can remain running. To turn screen savers off: right click on an empty spot on your desktop then click Properties. Click on the screen saver tab and from the drop down menu of screen savers, pick none then click Apply and OK at the bottom of the window. There also is a small utility program called End it all that will close down all the programs that are running with just one click.

2. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and ScanDisk.

3. Select the drive (usually C:\) and check Automatically Fix Errors.

4. If low on time, select Standard. Otherwise, check Thorough. A thorough scan may take more than an hour to complete and is best done when away from the desk.

5. Click Start and follow the onscreen instructions. If the scandisk starts itself over and over, then a hidden background program is still accessing the hard drive. Restart the computer in Safe mode and try again.

6. After testing, the results will appear. Fix or repair any files, if asked. Click Close to exit program when finished.

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Clean Registry

The Windows Registry is a set of data files used to help Windows control hardware, software, the user's environment, and the "look and feel" of the Windows interface. The Registry is contained in two files in the Windows directory. Without the Registry, the operating system would not have the necessary information to run, to control attached devices, to launch and control applications, and to respond correctly to user input.

The Registry holds information about default data and auxiliary file locations, menus, button bars, window status, and other options. It also holds installation information such as the date of installation, the user who installed the software, the version number and date, and sometimes the serial number. Depending on the actual software installed, it may contain other application-specific information. The Registry is complex by its very nature and is not intended (nor recommended) to be altered by anyone but very experienced and knowledgeable users.

RegSupreme is a new generation standalone registry cleaner that is very fast, effective, safe and easy to use - no knowledge of the registry is required. A free 30-day trial is offered - after that the cost of this very useful program is a whopping $12.95!

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Update Programs

To make your applications more stable, check for vendors' software updates or visit a site such as VersionTracker.

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Check For New Drivers

Updating your drivers is an important part of maintaining your computer. Although you do not need to update every day, it's a good idea to update drivers every couple of months. Drivers are files that tell hardware (modem, scanner, graphics card, monitor, mouse, etc.) how to operate.  Hardware manufacturers release new drivers for their hardware and are designated by version numbers (version 1.1, version 1.2, version 4.0, etc.).  The larger the version number, the more updated the driver file is. 

To update the drivers, you should consult your computer manufacturer.  Installing the latest drivers for your devices can help speed up and stabilize your PC.  To find what drivers you have installed, go to Device Manager and double-click each component's listing and then select the Driver tab. Or use a free 2-day trial of Driver Detective from DriversHQ.com.  An online scan of your computer will determine which of your drivers need updating.

To find out what hardware devices should be updated, visit Computer Hope.

For help in finding the correct drivers, check out DriverZone.

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