How to Clean a Computer System (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Whether you're here to learn how to “tidy up” a messed up or infected hard drive, or to physically clean parts of your computer, keep reading for an easy, step-by-step guide. In simple terms, this tutorial will tell you how to clean software as well as hardware components from your system. It is a known fact that regular maintenance of the system can increase the speed of the computer significantly. To clean hardware, you need physical effort while cleaning system files is the job of reputable system software and utility software.

Step

Method 1 of 2: Cleaning Hard Drive

Step 1. Update (up to date) your computer

Mac OS and Windows release regular security and stability updates for your operating system. What's more, they've set the operating system on your computer to know which updates are needed and how to perform them, which leaves you with no trouble in most cases. The programs that manage these updates have their own names (Windows Update and Sotware Update), and are designed to run automatically. If you turned off the update function, or you're not sure if your computer is up to date, follow the steps below to check it:

• For Windows users, go to the Start Menu and search for “Windows Update”. The appropriate control panel will appear in the search results. Click to read your update status and explore auto-update settings in the sidebar or tab. You can click on the words “Important Updates” and “Optional Updates” to select or deselect an update before downloading the update. You can set your computer to download and install updates yourself or you can do this manually.

  

• Mac users should open the System Preferences menu from the Apple menu, and select Software Update from the View menu. All available updates will appear in a list. You can choose which updates you want to install (install/place) before proceeding.

  

• Updates obtained through this channel are always official and trustworthy. Because of this, it's generally recommended to keep automatic updates on, unless you have other reasons to do so. This option should be available in the menu you have opened.

  

Step 2. Clean Internet data

As you surf the Internet, your computer collects bits and pieces of information which eventually gets to the point that it can cause performance issues, especially on old and slow computers. The most basic way to deal with this is to use the tools provided by your Internet browser of choice. Microsoft Internet Explorer users on Windows can clear all temporary data by visiting the Internet Options control panel and clicking the Delete button on the General tab under Browsing History.

• If you are using IE on a non-Windows computer, simply open the Tools menu, select Options, and select the data you want to clear.

  

• To delete temporary files, cookies, and cached data from Firefox, open the Firefox menu and open the Options window (this may require selecting Options from the drop-down menu and selecting Options again from the menu that appears). While there, click the tab or button that says Advanced, then select the Network tab below it. Look for the box that says Offline Web Content in the title, and click the Clear button to clear it.

  

• To delete data from Chrome, simply hold down the Control and Shift keys, then press the Delete key. A tab will appear with a simple menu. Select the data you want to delete, set a time period using the box at the top right, and click Clear Browsing Data to delete.

  

• To reach this menu the old fashioned way, click the button with the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the browser, and select Settings from the menu that appears. Swipe halfway down the screen to find the Privacy section, then click the “Clear browsing data” button right below it.

  

• To clear the cache of the Safari browser, go to the Edit menu and select Empty Cache. Confirm your choice when asked.

  

• If you don't have time to do these things, you can use a browser cleaning tool.

Step 3. Check for adware and malware

Adware (programs that display ads) and malware (programs that do harm) are types of programs that can harm your computer's performance and create security holes. There are free programs specifically designed to find and remove adware and spyware. Install and run the program to find and remove annoying files.

• Mac users don't have much choice. The one that gets the most attention in general is MacScan, which is powerful but costs money for more than 30 days of use. The fee for a personal license is IDR 480,000, 00. Download the free trial first to make sure this program is right for you.

  

• The best way to avoid adware and malware is to never download anything you're not sure about, and never agree to install any add-ons included in the software package you choose to install.

  

Step 4. Check for viruses and other direct threats

The best way to defend your computer against truly malicious threats is to use a robust anti-virus program. Both Mac and Windows users have access to good, free options that work just as well as paid programs. Install and allow the program to run behind the scenes all the time. When you first install them, or you suspect a virus you may have missed, you can run them manually as well.

• Because new viruses are always being created and propagated, it is very important that you allow your anti-virus program to update as often as needed. Normally, this will happen automatically behind the scenes, without you having to do anything.

  

Step 5. Perform maintenance on your hard drive

Most computers made in recent years will handle these tasks automatically, but you can take care of them yourself if you prefer. Notable programs are disk defragmentation programs, which organize the jumbled data on your drive so they can be found more quickly, and disk cleaners, which remove unused duplicate and temporary files to free up hard space. drives.

• Since the location of each program is different for each version of Windows, it is better to use the Start Menu search to find them quickly. Open them and run them from the search results to speed up your computer, if the task is not already scheduled to run automatically.

  

• Mac and Linux users do not need to specifically defragment their hard disks, as the process takes place automatically behind the scenes. Mac users can clean their hard disks with the Disk utility, which is located in the Utilities folder (normally in the Applications folder on OS X systems).

  

Step 6. Get rid of any more unwanted programs

If you have extra programs, you can easily remove them in Windows by using the Programs and Features (new) or Add/Remove Programs (old) control panel. Highlight a program to see the available options, and click to uninstall it. This method is preferable to you directly deleting the application's folder, because this will also delete files installed by the program in other locations.

• Mac users in general can do this simply by dragging unwanted programs into the Trash, but the process of completely deleting sections such as the Preference file and other scattered sections will be more complicated – too complicated to cover in this guide.

  

Step 7. Always do a backup on your system

After you've cleaned your computer, it's time to maintain it so you can revert to a clean version in the event of a disaster in the future. This is quite different depending on whether you're using a Mac or Windows, but the process is equally simple for both.

• Windows users can search the Start Menu for “system restore”, and choose to create a restore point, where the computer can be restored to its pre-disaster state.

  

• Mac users should set Time Machine, the system maintenance program, to run in the background. Time Machine allows you to revert to changes at any given time to address compatibility and other issues.

  

• In both cases, a backup to an external hard drive is highly recommended. Both methods require a lot of free space on the hard drive, and an external hard drive can be a replacement backup in case the primary hard drive is mechanically damaged.

  

Method 2 of 2: Physical Cleaning

Step 1. Gather equipment

In order to safely and efficiently clean your computer, you will need some inexpensive items. Purchase a spray can to remove particles from sensitive areas at a computer store. Purchase a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol from a supermarket or pharmacy. Purchase a small or medium-sized screwdriver with a plus and minus tip from a hardware store. Prepare a tissue, microfiber cloth, and water.

• If you're cleaning a netbook, notebook, or laptop, choose a small screwdriver. Desktop computers will likely require a small-medium size screwdriver. Usually there is no need to buy a special “computer screwdriver”.

  

Step 2. Turn off the computer

For desktop computers, this means turning off the computer, turning off the surge protector or power outlet, and unplugging the power cord from the back of the computer case (case). If you have a laptop, turn it off, unplug the power cord from the laptop, turn it over, and remove the battery.

• To avoid scuffing the cover, you can place your laptop upside down on a paper towel before removing the battery.

  

Step 3. Open the computer

Over time, the air vents that help regulate your computer's temperature can become clogged with dust, causing the CPU to overheat and damage. To clean it, you have to open your computer cover case.

• To open a desktop computer, look for a fastener along the back or side of the computer case. This fastener can be a screw, or some other mechanical object. Some computers even have side panels that slide out for easy access. If you can't figure out which fastener your computer uses, check the manual or have it checked online.

  

• You can't open a laptop computer entirely without additional equipment, but you don't have to. To get to the vent, look for the panel with the screw in it on the bottom of the laptop. Remove the screws from the panel and the vent will be with the panel. Be careful to remember the length and position of each screw, as they tend to vary from one another.

  

Step 4. Clean the vent

Start by using a cotton swab or tongs, and remove any large collections of dust and other debris that you see. Continue by spraying compressed air to clean any remaining dust out of the ventilation system. Spray everywhere else you can reach, keeping the nozzle a few inches from the components and I/O ports (contact holes for various cables). Don't forget to open your optical drive and spray it for a while.

• It's clear that the goal is to remove dirt and dust, not push them further into the computer. Keep this in mind as you aim your spray can.

  

• Compressed air can damage sensitive components if it is too strong. Always spray briefly repeatedly instead of spraying with longer, non-stop.

• It's probably okay to gently tilt your laptop to make hard-to-reach dirt move closer to where you can push it out, but never shake or hit it. You can damage parts of the laptop that are prone to shocks.

  

Step 5. Clean the CPU area and around the hard drive and other parts of the desktop computer (which may have separate fans and open air ducts as well as the CPU cover and heatsink)

However, be careful to avoid soldering electronic components or exposed wires by hand. Make sure you repeatedly touch the plastic and metal frames in and around the CPU to neutralize static electricity between your hands and the area that is safe to touch.

Step 6. Close and clean the computer case

Put any parts you have opened or removed to return to their appropriate places and close your computer again. When you're done, take a rag, dry soft cloth, or dry tissue and wipe dust and dirt off all sides of the computer case. Continue by dipping one end of a cotton cloth in rubbing alcohol and wiping along the outside and edges of your computer. Once you are done on one side, turn the rag over and dry with the dry end of the rag.

Change the cotton rag as often as needed until it's done. Don't miss it

Step 7. Clean the keyboard

Start by turning your keyboard over on a newspaper or tissue and shaking off any dirt as you can. If you are cleaning a laptop, shake it gently to avoid damaging it. After you've removed the dirt by shaking it, aim the spray can at the crevices of the keyboard to get more out, and shake it out again. Finally, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton cloth to clean the tops of the buttons.

• Do not use a vacuum cleaner on your keyboard, especially if you are using a laptop. Vacuum cleaners can create static electricity that can damage the components underneath.

  

• Touchpads (touchpads on laptops) and trackballs (ball-shaped pointing devices) can be cleaned in the same way as keyboard keys, with a cotton cloth and rubbing alcohol. As always, remove any cotton rags when they become soiled and replace them with new ones.

  

Step 8. Clean the monitor

For LCD monitors like those generally found on laptops, use water on a soft cloth such as microfiber. Wet the washcloth, then gently wipe the washcloth along the screen until it's clean. For large CRT monitors (such as those often seen in computer labs), use a glass cleaner. Again, be sure to wet the washcloth rather than the monitor itself.

• Some popular glass cleaners contain ammonia. Ammonia can damage the coating of your CRT monitor, so use an ammonia-free glass cleaner unless you're sure it's okay.

  

Step 9. Finish

Allow each piece to dry completely, then assemble and reinsert your computer. Don't forget to reconnect equipment, such as the monitor you removed while cleaning. When ready, start the computer as usual. Repeat cleaning every few months or as needed.

Tips

• Don't download anything you're not 100 percent sure about.
• Do not open the computer if it is still under warranty. The warranty period will no longer be valid.
• Do not delete a file unless you are sure it is safe to delete. Let your automated program make the decisions.
• If you've tried everything and your computer is still slow or has problems, take it to a certified repairman.