Computer Clean Up Tips

Any introductory computer course will tell you that a computer is made up of hardware and software. Hardware components of the computer are the visible and tangible devices and peripherals that make up the physical computer while the software components are the programs – which though intangible and invisible – provide the instructions through which computer is able to perform its various functions.

Accumulation of dirt on either the hardware components or the software parts of the computer is bound to cause problems in the functioning of the computer. And although many people are able to notice and perhaps act on the accumulation of dirt on the hardware components of their computer (because such dirt is a highly visible eyesore), very few are able to notice the accumulation of dirt on the software components of their computer, much less to do something about it.

Dirt on the hardware components of the computer usually accumulates in the form of dust, food bits on the keyword and the mouse and so on. Dirt on the software components of the computer on the hand tends to occur in the form of clutter, this being un-used programs installed on the computer, duplicated documents saved on the computer, accumulated registry entries and so and so forth. Unfortunately, many of the elements that make up dirt in the software components of the computer are things that many people don’t recognize as such (as dirt) and which they are therefore less inclined to do something about.

The PC clean up to be done on the hardware components of the computer should really be quite easy enough. It generally involves the elimination of dust and other dirt particles accumulated on the computer components – and tools used for this role range from a piece of cloth dipped in alcohol (spirit) to quite sophisticated blowers used to blow away fine dust particles lodged on the various elements of the computer inside the casing and on the keyboard and the monitor.

PC clean up to be done on the software components can be trickier for some people, though it is in fact less physically involving than the PC clean up done on the hardware components. PC clean up done on the software components ranges from the use of registry clean up software to clear redundant (and erroneous) registry entries to the use of anti-virus software to rid the computer of virus and spy-ware that might have found their way into the computer and that are in all honesty, dirt in the computer. PC clean up as done on the software elements also includes de-fragmentation (windows comes with a de-fragmenting tool) which can help you save on disk space. And of course, a discourse on how to clean up your computer won’t be complete without mentioning something about clearing your computer’s desktop by deleting unneeded files and shortcuts. It might seem inconsequential, but doing clearing your desktop of all clutter tends to leave you with a good clear-headed feeling – and should thus be included as a part of your regular PC clean up routine.