Monthly Computer Maintenance Checklist

My "thing" of the day today was inspired by my job.  Every month we're supposed to go through a series of steps for Monthly Computer Maintenance.  I hadn't done it for the two months of the season but wish I'd started before.

It feels good to simplify, especially when it makes things run more smoothly.  I like maintaining what I have.

I enjoyed the process so much at work that I decided to print out a copy and go through it on my own laptop this afternoon.  In the process, I learned a lot about what programs I actually need and use in my computer's daily operating.  Names like "Silverlight," "Windows Live," and "Bonjour" were all fairly foreign to me before today.

Here are the basic steps, modified from the document I use on my work computer.

• Make sure your current antivirus is up to date and running properly (in my case, AVG)
• Clear your browsing history from all web browsers you use (include Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome)
• Clean out digital files, purging or archiving folders and documents that are no longer relevant or useful including Documents, Music, Photos, Videos, Downloads...
• Get rid of any icons/shortcuts on the desktop that you don't regularly use
• Delete programs that are rarely or never used.  (Start Menu - Control Panel - Programs - Uninstall Programs)
• Empty the recycle bin
• Perform a disk clean up to get rid of old compressed files, temporary files, etc (Start Menu - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup.)  You can safely delete Downloaded program files, Temporary Internet Files, Setup Log Files, and Thumbnails.  Do not delete Office Setup Files.
• Run the Disk Defragmenter to clear disk space on your hard drive. (Start Menu - All Programs -Accessories - System Tools - Disk Defragmenter.)  Select the C Drive and "Defragment Disk."  Even if scans are scheduled more frequently, do this monthly manually.
• Restart your computer