Computers may seem like the most marvelous invention of the last two decades, but no matter how wonderful they are or how much they have improved our lives they still need maintenance. Without a good computer maintenance routine, you will end up running into problems down the road, including freeze ups and Runtime errors. You could also leave your system vulnerable to unwanted and often malicious intruders, such as spyware and viruses.



Below are a few of the steps you should be taking regularly to keep your computer running smoothly and at peak performance levels.

First, make sure you have installed anti-spyware and anti-virus software on your system. You should never get onto the Internet without these basic tools in place. While you are probably already familiar with the potential dangers of computer viruses, spyware can steal information from your computer and funnel it to a third party and suck up your available RAM by running continuously in the background without your knowledge.

Besides having these programs installed, you need to keep them up-to-date. Allow the programs to do automatic updates frequently, perhaps even daily. Make sure you do a full system scan at least once a week.

Additionally, you should be cautious about the sites you visit and the files you open. If you go to a lot of questionable web sites and do not scan your files before opening them, then you are likely to run into performance problems as a result.

Second, you should keep your operating system and other programs up-to-date as well. You can go through Microsoft and have your programs, such as Microsoft Office or Outlook, updated automatically. However, if you want to have more control over those updates, you should make it a point to check for updates at least once every week or two. Make it a part of your regular computer maintenance routine.

Third, get rid of files you do not need anymore. If you have never gone through your hard drive, you will probably be surprised at how clogged it is with files that you do not need. Your Temporary Internet folder is one example. These files are placed on the hard drive when you visit web sites, but do not require after the visit. The individual files may be small but they can add up over time and bog down the speed of your hard drive. You can find programs that will help you remove those unneeded files.

Fourth, you should defrag your hard drive monthly, at least. Each time you install programs, download files, or make changes to your system, the data on your drive ends up being moved around. Eventually, one program's data may be saved all over the place and that increases the time it takes for the program to put that data back together again. When you defrag the drive, the data is moved around so it can be accessed by programs more efficiently. The Windows operating system comes with a defrag tool you can use.

By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your computer runs smoothly, lasts longer, and lives up to your expectations.