I don't think it's healthy to get obsessed with the words `virus' or `spyware'. And with a decent security system installed on your computer - there is no need to. Some of us might prefer a full system security suite which has controls for all kinds of things. For many people however, after installing Windows, I recommend using the FREE Microsoft Security Essentials.
It's quick and easy to install and use. It will automatically update, scan and keep your Windows computer healthy.

People often forget that dust, fluff, animal fur etc. can get inside the computer case. Over time this debris builds up and sticks to fan blades, heatsinks, air filters, vents and just about everything.

Just like it's necessary to empty or change the bag on a vacuum cleaner, it is essential (over time) to keep the inside of your case clean and dust free.

Simply switch off and unplug your PC. Open the case, try not to touch electrical components, touch the metal frame of your case to discharge any static you might have (from carpet, clothes etc) or you can wear an anti-static wrist strap.

Simply vacuum out your case. Wipe and vacuum close to all fans and stationary heatsinks. Wipe all fan blades too if you can access them. Make sure all fans can spin freely. (Maybe they can spin from the suction of the vacuum cleaner.) If your PC was overheating or the case had inadequate airflow, it should now be able to breath a sigh of relief. Make sure there is plenty of space outside of the case too, so that air can get inside and out easily without external restrictions and heat buildup.

Over time your hard drive or drives get a little (or very) untidy with unnecessary, temporary or `deleted' files taking up space. The more junk on the drive, the longer it takes to read and right other files and therefore the slower a program or the computer feels. Follow the steps below to clean your drives using Windows' simple disc cleaning option.

1. Click on the Windows Start Menu .
2. Click on `My Computer' or `Computer'.
3. Find the C Drive.
4. Right-Click the C Drive and choose `Properties'.
5. In the General Tab click the `Disk Cleanup' button.
6. A new Window will popup.
7. Tick or Check everything in the list that you don't need. (Probably most of it).
8. Click the `OK' Button.
Windows will now delete those unnecessary files freeing up more space on your drive for smoother operation.

You can follow the same steps for each drive on your computer if you want. We chose the C Drive because that is the main operating system drive which is important to keep tidy.

If you would like to schedule your PC to do this automatically, please follow these guidlines from Microsoft.
Sometimes the cleanup schedule is controlled by the Security Suite we have installed. It depends on which suite you have.

Of course there are also 3rd party Apps available to help clean up your system.
A couple of them are mentioned on the Popular Freeware page.

We cleaned the disk drive in the step above to create more disk space. But somtimes we have too many programs installed which are taking up unnecessary room or most of the room we have. Then imagine some of those programs are checking for updates and taking up system resources or attracting cookies, when we might not even use them.

With computers, think `less is more'.
Uninstall programs which you don't use or foresee yourself using. The less stuff installed, the more room you have and the greater the potential performance and the less undesirable files and waste will be on your system.

(The same could be said about hardware you don't use inside your case. If you remove it, you create more space which in turn might increase airflow and cooling).

The above `Clean your hard drives' tip will indeed give you the option in the checkbox list to empty your recycle bin. Some people are unaware that simply deleting a file will not remove it from the hard drive. The recycle bin needs to be `emptied'. To do this simply find your recycle bin icon on your desktop and right click it. Then choose `Empty Recycle Bin'. Done.

Defragment sounds very technical.
Over time, the operating system tries to read and write files quickly on or to your hard drives as they spin around. Often files get scattered all over the drive. After a while, it takes the operating system longer to find and piece together each file as it's needed.
It's like food on a plate. If you mix it all together, it's difficult to choose the carrots, potatoes, rice or what have you. It's also more difficult to find a clean space to add brocolli or other food.

Defragmenting is an option built into Windows which unmixes all of the files and tidies them up again. This makes it easier and quicker for programs to run and files to be accessed. Depending on how fragmented your files are, this can take a while. Microsoft says you can freely use your computer while defragmenting is taking place, but sometimes it's a good excuse to get a cup of tea and leave the PC for a while, until it's finished.

Here is how to Defragment.

1. Click on the Windows Start Menu .
2. Click on `My Computer' or `Computer'.
3. Find the C Drive.
4. Right-Click the C Drive and choose `Properties'.
5. In the Tools Tab click the `Defragment Now' button.
6. Repeat these steps for any other drives that need `defragging'
Microsoft recommends considering Defragging if the disk defragmentation is 10% or higher. Please click this link to see a Microsoft video tutorial at Microsoft.

Try to keep your operating system, security software and applications up-to-date. Updating also often means improving security too. If you are happy to, leave your settings to automatically update. The main priorirty should be to update the security program followed by Windows. If you are a Linux user, then just keep your operating system up to date.

Especially if you have a nice, fresh and clean install of Windows, why not set at least your security to inform you of important updates. If you think you might forget to download them, set everything to automatic so you needn't worry about remembering.

Many modern computer cases have dust filters by the case fans and air vents. This is like a net stocking or net curtain type of material to try to prevent dust from going inside your case. Truth be told, some dust will always get inside your case from one place or another.

If you don't have dust filters but you live in a dust prone place, then you might consider getting some.

The main point of this type however is to remind you that if you do have them - CLEAN THEM. If they have done a good job of trapping dust, then that dust will be doing a pretty good job of blocking air. So keep your filters clean. A quick method of doing this is to use a vacuum cleaner hose. (If for some reason you wash the filters, then make sure they are totally dry before putting them back into place).

If all else fails and you ask someone for advice - you might well hear the word Reformat. While some of us enjoy this, it can be time consuming and inconvenient for others, especially if they are unprepared.

Reformatting means to completely wipe your disk drive clean. ie. remove all data from it and then reinstall the operating system from scratch. (Reformatting is usually an included option when you install an operating system).

The result is desirable because the disk drive will be clean and free from waste. The operating system is then written to the drive like a nice clean well positioned table cloth, followed by all of the neatly placed cutlery, napkins and what have you. The system can then access everything quickly because it's exacty where it should be. A welcome change from the breadcrumb covered picnic table that was the older, negected install.

WARNING however. REFORMATTING DELETES AND DESTROYS ALL DATA ON THE DRIVE, SO BACKUP ANY IMPORTANT FILES YOU WANT TO KEEP TO A SEPARATE USB DRIVE OR CD/DVD OR SOMETHING SAFE AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY BEFORE YOU REFORMAT. (Photos, music, documents etc). (Be careful if you backup files to another hard drive, that you don't format that drive by mistake.)

If you would like to see a reformat tutorial on this site - please let me know via the Contact page.