Tip of the Week: Here’s Your PC’s Wish List for National Clean Out Your Computer Day

Do you know what today is? It’s National Clean Out Your Computer Day! This means that there is no time like the present to make sure that you’re taking good care of your business’s technology assets. In honor of this day, we’ll discuss ways in which you can take better care of your technology.

Consider Your Unused Applications
It’s inevitable that your organization will stop using certain applications as time goes on. Maybe they’re just not necessary anymore, or they became outdated and you replaced them with better, more efficient solutions. Regardless, it’s important to make sure that you’re not paying for software that you no longer use, so make sure that you routinely uninstall software that fits this description. It’s a best practice to evaluate whether or not you need software that’s only used once or twice every couple of months.

Be Ready to Update Your Software
If you want to make sure that your PC is operating at maximum capacity, you need to keep your software updated. Patches and updates are designed with two purposes in mind: 1) Shore up weaknesses in security protocol, and 2) Improve the performance of the software. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you always keep your software up to date. Just be sure that all of your legacy apps don’t suffer from compatibility issues before upgrading to the latest versions, so reach out to k_Street Consulting, LLC before making the jump.

Run Defrag Software
Do you ever wonder what happens when you save and delete files, or move them from place to place on your hard drive? Pieces of your data wind up being stored in various locations, which makes it more difficult for your computer to effectively gather and open them when the need arises. Defragging your hard drive essentially gathers all of these pieces of data and places them where they originated, thus improving PC performance. Keep in mind that defragging only applies to hard disc drives, not solid state drives. Also, if you’re running a newer version of Windows, then you don’t have to worry about defragging because Windows will automatically do this for you when the drive isn't in use. Defragging software is a great way to negate trouble, but if you’re hesitant to try this yourself, be sure to reach out to k_Street Consulting, LLC.

Clear Your Workstation of Dust
Dust collects over time, so it’s in your best interest to clear it before it can cause damage to your workstation. A can of compressed air can help you blow away the dust that collects around vents and fans on your computer. Also be sure to turn your keyboard upside down and shake it to clear away skin particles and food crumbs that may have fallen into it.

Remember Your Computer’s Insides
Before cleaning your PC’s insides, make sure that you properly shut down your computer and unplug it from the wall. If you’re not in the habit of peeking inside your computer, you may be surprised to see it coated in a layer of dust. This dust comes from the computer’s fans, and it can cause some serious performance issues, like overheating and computer crashes. Take a can of compressed air and blow away any dirt or dust that persists within. Also of note is that you should never touch components with just your bare hands, as the oil on your fingers could potentially cause damage. We’d prefer that you reach out to a trusted technician like those at k_Street Consulting, LLC before trying any internal maintenance yourself.

If all of this sounds like too much work, well… we can’t blame you. After all, you have a business to run. What you can do is reach out to k_Street Consulting, LLC and have our trusted technicians take good care of your technology. To learn more, reach out to us at (202) 640-2737.