Clean Out Your Computer Day
Today’s the day “Clean Out Your Computer Day” and you should do it because not only will it help you organise your computer but speed it up too (depending on how much you delete). Think of it like Marie Kondo-ing your computer instead of your house.
National “Clean Out Your Computer Day” was the brainchild of the Institute for Business Technology started in 2000 on the second Monday in February. Now in its 19th year use today, February 11th, to delete any unused applications, organise files and finally to back up all your precious data to a remote hard drive or to the cloud.
But before we even turn the computer on, get rid of the built-up dust and grime using a lint-free cloth on the screen and air canister to blow the dust from the keyboard. You’d be surprised how much dust and grime can build up (are you guilty of eating your lunch at your desk and then using your keypad?)
Heres our to-do list:
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Uninstall programs: This one can be a quick win to free up space and improve speed. To find out which programs you haven’t been using open, go to where your programs are installed applications for a Mac and control panel for PC and click uninstall on the program. Look out for the modified date, so if it’s been over a year since it was last used it’s time to hit delete and free yourself from digital hoarding.
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Temporary files: you might not realise how many temporary files build up on your computer as you browse the internet over the course of a year. Your internet browser is the next stop so whatever you use, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, there could be gigabytes worth of internet history, cookies, and cache stored away slowing down your computer.
For example for Google Chrome users (62% of internet users) all you do is open the settings menu, go to more tools and clear browsing data (you can untick passwords if you don’t want them cleared).
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Take out the trash: Well done you’ve sent the used items to the bin (or trash) but you’re not finished yet… you need to take out the trash out once and for all.
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Organise your files: now that you’ve deleted all the unwanted files take the time to reorder your filing structure so all the items you regularly use are quick and easy to get to (you don’t want to have to go five folders deep, every time, just to find your favourite photo).
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Back-up data: Whether you back up your computer via an external hard drive or use the cloud make sure you do it at least once a year, but we highly recommend doing it monthly (if possible). Otherwise, you could be left stranded if your computer has an accident and fries its hard drive.
Dates to put in the calendar, so you’ll never forget this yearly ritual:
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February 10, 2020
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February 8, 2021
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February 7, 2022
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February 13, 2023
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February 12, 2024
Let us know how you get on and how much your computer has sped up after the declutter. But if you’re worried about diving into your computers hard drive alone, don’t worry we’re always available to help.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
