In the digital age, computers are invaluable to practically every aspect in life. We use them to work, keep track of the news, communicate, and even entertain ourselves through games and movies. But in this information age, computers have become prone to failure from viruses, spyware, and spam. So, in light of computer difficulty, here are some free ways to keep your computer running as well as the day you got it.
Get an Antivirus Program
This is a very important step to take. Viruses such as Trojans and worms can not only slow your computer to a crawl, they can do serious damage to files and even steal information from your computer. Antivirus programs don't have to be expensive, either. As the title of this article indicates, many free programs are available. Download.com has an extensive collection of virus scanners, most of which are free. Downloading one of these programs can keep your computer protected and running faster for quite some time. Get a Spyware Dectector
Spyware and addware can be loaded onto your computer from almost any web site on the Internet. What's more, more often than not you won't even know it's been installed. Like a virus, these programs can wreak havoc with your computer and even steal information, so getting one of these programs is essential to having a healthy computer. Again, free software is readily available on the Internet. Defrag Your Hard Drive
Ever once in a while, defragmenting your hard drive can really help speed up your computer. Defragging is a simple process that involves your computer moving files around to allow itself to run faster. The program is a part of Windows and can be found under the Accessoriesïƒ System Tools menu. Defragging once every month or so can increase your computer's speed by a large amount. Keep Tabs on Your Hard Drive Space
Hard drive space can disappear very quickly. As it does, your computer will run slower. This problem is easy to avoid; simply check to see how much space you have left on occasion. To monitor your drives more in-depth, a program such as FileAnt can give you a complete breakdown of where your hard drive space is going and can help you identify things tat can be removed to save space. Clean Up Your Hard Drive
Also a Windows program, the Clean Up feature checks your hard drive and finds information that is not necessary to keep, such as temporary internet files, deleted items in the Recycle Bin, and so forth. Usually the space saved here is minimal, but even small amounts can help speed your computer back up. Avoid Double Saving
Double saving is rarely intentional, but sometimes duplicates of files end up in places you wouldn't think to look for them. Unless you wanted to create a backup of a file, these files take up space and slow down your computer. Using the Search feature can help you find places where Windows creates a backup that isn't needed. Get a Popup Blocker
Popups on the Internet are usually harmless but they take time and memory to load. They are annoying, they slow down your computer, and they can be avoided. Free programs are available to block popups, and some Internet browsers such as Firefox have built-in popup blockers and add blockers for a faster, more enjoyable Internet experience.
These are just a few tips, but following them will keep your computer running faster and more effectively for as long as you follow them.
