Routine Simple Maintenance

May I presume to remind you that to run more than one Virus checker on your computer is DEATH – only one is required and your computer is compromised with more than one. My current recommendation is Avast! FREE. It is what I run. I run no other stuff except on Windows 7 I run Microsoft Windows Defender. Spybot, Adaware and all their cronies are of doubtful use. Spam Fighter’s are also as much trouble as they reduce. Remember KISS!

From time to time I am asked if one should run any checking or cleaning processes on the Computer.

Generally I answer with a NO, except in either of these two situations:

1.    When a virus or malaware warning occurs

In this case a virus scan could be beneficial and certainly a full, scheduled scan is not a bad move. But, don’t fuss about it – with Avast! it does it regularly for you anyway.

Usually the question comes after the horse has well and truly bolted – some problem has come up and it’s a bit late for superficial fiddles, maybe the guru needs to perform some magic.

2.    At start up you get a message about a file error

Microsoft suggests in the following article some good, basic tips for those of you who like to fiddle. The processes can be time consuming so I suggest you perform one of them when you are about to walk away from your computer to do something else. This is preventative maintenance – the best sort. Perform each of the processes say twice a year.

Some need to function at re-boot, so when you have the inclination, you set them and re-boot and walk away for a while – or go to bed!

Don’t feel you must do these.

Don’t be in a hurry to do them.

Just when you feel moved to do one, systematically work your way through the list over a week or two.

I don't agree with the section on Windows Update. My preference is to allow the checking for updates but let me choose if and when I perform the update. So don't click the Automatic option. Instead select the let me choose option.

In the document, click on the line which pertains to your operating system and the text will open up with the appropriate instructions.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/optimize.aspx?WT.rss_f=At%20Home%20RSS&WT.rss_a=Slow%20PC?%20Help%20increase%20computer%20performance%20with%20simple%20maintenance&WT.rss_ev=a

When you click this link, you could pop it into your Favorites so you can find it again easily (perhaps shorten its name to rossyFixup).