The Gift of Knowledge for the Holidays

[richc46]

To all my friends at the Forum, Id like to wish you a safe and happy Holiday Season. In addition, I would like to share with everyone my secrets for proper maintenance of your valuable asset, the computer. Originally posted as an answer in the Seven Forum the information is equally valuable here. Happy Holidays everyone
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As soon as you get home with your computer:

Dont install the antivirus software that pops up with instuctions to install.
Should be done at the end, and this software, although probably free for a while,
will cost money down the road and is probably not the best.

Windows updates should be done immediately as you are vulnerable to problems
until updated; be sure to include office updates.

Adobe reader should be updated, one ofthe most recent version is a sandbox version which
reduces virus vulnerablity to your PDF files.

This is also the opportunity to download Adobe Flash Player

Download an alertative browser; ie FF or Chrome etc. In the event of problems with IE.

Remove any unwanted program bloat. They will slow up your computer and probably
cost money in the future.

Download your antivirus; Microsoft Security Essentials is suggested.

Make your recovery disc.

Now enjoy the internet.

To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Making a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...er-performance

Optimize Windows 7

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

 

[Brink]

Thank you Rich, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well.

 

[patch41]

Thank you Rich for the valuable information,and also Brink for all the help you have given me in the past.
Merry christmas to you both....Patch41.

 

[Yard Dog]

* bows in humble prayer for our blessings.* Thanks .

 

[MWRed]

Thanks Rich...now if only more people would heed the suggested knowledge.....

....but then again, places like this may not be needed as much. Bummer.