In today’s article, we’ve posted links to the tools you need and a simple “5-Point Maintenance Plan” that you can follow to keep your PC running like new (or better). The average user can perform these tasks in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size (hard drive) and speed (RAM and processor) of the computer.

What You Will Need To Get Started – Tools

All of the tools you will need for this routine maintenance are posted and available for you on the JumpstartMyPC.com Tools page. We add new items to this area from time-to-time and keep all of the links updated with the most recent versions of each application. Simply locate an application that you would like to use and click on the Software link out to the right. You’ll be directed to an external site and the download will begin.

JumpstartMyPC.com Tools Page

5-Point Maintenance Plan

There are 5 main areas that you will need to focus on each time you perform maintenance on your PC.

• Defrag – A defrag of your hard drive makes it easier on your PC to locate files and extends the life of your hard drive.
  Program: Auslogics Disk Defrag (available on the tools page)
  Article: Defragmentation: A Simple Task for a Huge Result

• Update – Microsoft releases regular updates for your operating system. There might be a security or bug fix waiting for you.
  Program: Windows (already installed on your system)
  Article: Warning Lights on Your PC Shouldn’t be Ignored

• Scan – Malware, Spyware and other unwanted malicious programs are installed without your knowledge.
  Program: Spybot Search and Destroy (tools page)

• Clean – As you surf the internet, your browser collects files in a temporary folder. These files are not deleted until you tell your computer to do so.
  Program: CCleaner (tools page)

• Registry Cleaning – The registry stores configuration settings and options for Windows. Unfortunately, it never cleans out old files.
  Program: Abexo Registry Cleaner (tools page) NOT FOR WINDOWS 7 USERS
  Article: Your Registry is Probably in Need of a Cleaning

If you have any questions, concerns or programs you would like to share with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email, Facebook or Twitter.

“CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.  Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.  But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! ” - taken from the CCleaner website.

What does CCleaner really do?

CCleaner has several elements (cleaner, registry cleaner, uninstall and startup maintenance tools) but it’s true power is the Cleaner.  This is the part of the software that allows you to delete the temporary files stored on your PC.  These files were stored when browsing the internet or simply using the standard options provided in Windows.  Believe it or not, Windows does not do this automatically, and failure to “clean” your system from time-to-time can result in a slow computer.  How long this slowdown takes is really dependent on how often you use your PC and what you use it for.

Our recommendation is to run CCleaner once a week (at least) to purge these old files.  The trick is remembering to do so.  I admit, I will sometimes go a month or longer before I remember to perform my maintenance.  The only things that get run regularly are the tools that I can schedule to run on their own, like Auslogics Disk Defrag (another great, FREE tool).  Luckily, our friends over at the How-To Geek have created a detailed explanation of how-to set up CCleaner to run automatically on any schedule you desire.  I just set up my Windows 7 system to run CCleaner once a week and now I will never forget again.  We suggest you do the same.  The article contains instructions for Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Updates

There is one flaw to this automatic process.  Running CCleaner on a schedule like this does not handle software updates and CCleaner does not update on its own.  The folks at CCleaner update their software regularly (I’m guessing once a month or more) and, like all software and operating systems, it is very important to keep your software up to date.  There are some great softwares available to keep you informed of changes, but you will have to install those and set them up as well.  Here a couple that we recommend:

• CNet TechTracker
• Update Notifier

Our Other Articles on PC Maintenance:

• Have You Tuned Up Your PC Lately?
• CHECK ENGINE – Consider this Your PC Maintenance Reminder
• Keep Your PC Healthy with Do-It-Yourself Basic Maintenance