One of the most frequented gadgets in your house during the summer vacations is your family PC tucked up in one corner of your study or living room. Net surfing, playing video games, making home assignments and what not…your PC is used to death by the time the vacations come to an end. Such regular and extensive use of the PC calls for a thorough round of brushing-up before being put to the grind once again. Though some basic checks and scans are a pre-requisite, the extent of the overhauling drill will primarily depend on the PC’s usage and your ability to manage the technical aspects.
Reinstall the Operating System
The average use of a PC in a household is usually limited to surfing the net, writing papers and checking emails. Well, at this level, you would typically need very basic technical skills. First and foremost take a back-up of your important data in an external drive. Once done, you can go ahead and format the hard drive, post which you can reinstall the Operating System. The aim is to clean up your PC off junk, viruses, corrupt applications and ensure smooth functioning of the system. You may also visit the handy tips available on Microsoft’s site for a better understanding.
Conduct a basic check
However, if you find it tricky to take a data back-up and reinstall programs then all you can go ahead and perform some basic maintenance jigs to ensure an improved performance of your PC. You can begin by browsing through the programs added or removed in the recent past.
Say goodbye to the add-ons
Usually when kids surf the net or attempt downloads, a number of unwanted programs and browser toolbars get automatically stocked in your program list. It is time you remove them. Also go through the extensions or add-ons section to remove the search bars or pop-ups that appear each time you switch on your computer.
Run an antivirus
Once you have removed the excess baggage from your hard drive, run a manual check through the anti-malware/anti-viral software to ensure that updates are installed before you make any downloads or add data.
Finally, you can run CCleaner, one of the most popular and effective registry repair tool. Programs like these support browser cleanup and remove junk programs, thereby, enhancing speed and securing your system.
Customize your settings
Now that you have done the groundwork, you can go ahead and make separate log-ins for all those who use your computer. This will safeguard your administration rights and also secure your data and information. Keep the authority to add or remove programs just to yourself so that everyone cannot fiddle with your settings, especially kids in the family. You can further prevent damage to your computer by establishing a complete control over your computer. How? Simply open the User Accounts and Family Safety section in the Control Panel window and select the “Set up parental controls for any user” option.
This feature helps you control the content being viewed by the children in the family in your absence. You can bar them from browsing certain websites, especially those which bring in a lot of unwanted spam and toolbars along, by simply blocking them.
Organise your daily tasks
So, now that your system is cleaned-up and pretty much under control, you can set up some organization tool to smoothen your browsing experience and channelize your activities smoothly with programs like Cozi, which allows you to access the organization tool for free. You can even sync it on your Macs, Smartphones and other handheld devices.
Encourage your kids to set their study schedules and exam timelines so that they can prepare smart without any slip offs and get the desired alerts on time.
So, what are you thinking about, just spend a few minutes and have a safe and wholesome browsing experience on your PC.
