​Why is cleaning up your computer important?

Clean software helps protect your data. Internet security software and regular program updates help ensure that viruses, malware, and remote “hackers” stay out of your system. When you maintain your files by backing them up, deleting unused programs, and performing maintenance tasks like defragmenting the hard drive, you help ensure your computer can save your files without accidentally corrupting them.

Wipe down your computer. Dust off the outside of your computer with a soft, dry cloth at least once a week. Remove any fingerprints on the screen. If you want to use a cleaning fluid, visit a computer store to find one that’s specifically designed for your monitor type. To aid in developing a long-term cleanup plan, Norton was divided into three operable units (OUs,) which became two OUs in 1998, when OU2 and OU3 were combined to form what's known as the Basewide OU. OU1 is known as Central Base Area. Norton Identity Safe is one such reliable password manager. Keep all your software up to date. Many viruses and malware programs are specifically designed to mine.

Uninstall Norton Antivirus with Windows tools. Special software handles removal and cleaning very well, quickly and comfortably. However, for some casual users it is easier to use the Windows OS default features. If you don’t wish to get extra tools, follow these instructions on how to uninstall Norton Antivirus in Windows directly. Norton Clean is a cleaner app that will help you reclaim storage space on your Android device by cleaning junk, removing residual files & optimising memory. Don’t have enough storage to take more pictures or install apps? Norton Clean by Symantec, the world's leading cyber security software provider, now sweeps your memory cache and storage clean of residual and junk files to help remove.

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How to clean your computer’s software

Once your computer’s physical parts are clean, it’s time to attend to the programs that create and store your important information. Here’s how to keep your computer’s “mind” as clean as its “body:”

• Back it up
  Backing up your data regularly is a must. A laptop or tablet can be replaced, but the information inside it might be irreplaceable. Generally speaking, there are two options for backing up data: you can make a copy in a physical location, such as on an external hard drive or thumb drive, or you can make a copy that is stored on the “cloud,” or online, in a secure location. Whichever you choose, commit to backing up your computer at least once per week, or more often if you are working on a critical document like a business contract or a collection of precious family photos.

• Protect against malware
  Internet security software helps ensure that sneaky viruses and malware don’t get in and wreak havoc on your information—or worse, steal your identity.

• Update your software and clean out old programs
  Outdated software is particularly vulnerable to malware, because most updates are created in order to keep software safe. Make sure your software is updated. While you do updates, check to make sure you’re actually using the programs on your system, and delete any you no longer use. This helps ensure that your computer doesn’t get bogged down with unnecessary data, and it limits the number of programs that malware might “hijack” in order to gain access to the system.
  

Tidy up your digital life

It’s time to delete those digital dust bunnies – that includes programs you don’t use and unimportant files littering your desktop. Here are a few quick tips to get started:

• Cleanup your PC workspace
  Some programs automatically create a short-cut that will be displayed as an icon on your desktop. Deleting short-cuts that you don’t use will not delete the program, but it will keep your desktop clean and organized.

• Get organized
  Create categories for your files (work, financial statements, family photos, kids’ homework, etc.), then create and label folders to bucket your files into. Delete unimportant items that don’t belong in either folder. When all is squared away – create a backup to save your files in a secure location other than your device hard drive.

• Update your passwords
  Regularly updating your passwords across all accounts and devices is a good digital security habit to adopt even when you’re not spring cleaning. Passwords are the keys to accessing your digital life and more important data, like financial information. Make sure to use a complex and unique password for each account. A trusted password manager tool like can make logging into your favorite sites easier and more secure. Plus, always opt-in to two factor authentication when the services you use offer this in addition to password protection.

Don’t forget about your digital footprint

Your “digital footprint” includes all traces of your online activity, from commenting on news pieces or social media to making online purchases. Here’s how you can check on yours:

• Enter your name into several search engines
  Use multiple search engines to perform a search for your first and last name. If you’ve recently changed your name, look up both your prior name and your current one. Try the common misspellings as well. Review the first two pages of results. Are they positive? Do they show you in a professional and respectable light? If anything comes up that you don’t like, ask the site administrator to take it down.

• Double-check your privacy settings, but don’t trust them
  Privacy settings on social media allow you to control who sees your posts on your social media streams. Spend some time getting to know these settings so you can use them fully – for example, Facebook allows you not only to limit posts merely to “friends,” but also to make customized lists of people who can see certain posts. However, don’t assume that privacy settings will protect you anywhere but on the social media site that uses them. For example, some Facebook users have reported finding their “friends-locked” photographs as public images on Google Image Search.

Out with the old: wipe away your digital data

Donating and recycling old devices is a great way to de-clutter – just be sure you are not recycling your data in the process. If your data is recovered on an old device it can be used to commit identity theft or fraud. Make a secure backup of your irreplaceable photos and files with Norton Security with Backup. Then delete and wipe devices of all data and reset to factory settings. Lastly don’t forget to remove any SIM or memory cards.

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June 13, 2019

Clean computing is the practice of maintaining a clean machine, including hardware and software.

The average computer is 5-1/2 years old, according to one estimate. That’s plenty of time for dust buildup inside and outside your device.

Depending on environmental factors — including whether you have a furry pet — it might be a good idea to schedule cleanups yearly or monthly.

Why clean your computer?

Cleaning your computer’s hardware and software is important for a lot of reasons.

Clean hardware can help your computer run more smoothly and extend your computer’s lifespan, which can save time and money. Regular cleaning protects your investment and your data. When you wipe off the screen and empty crumbs from your keyboard, you’re helping your equipment perform better and you reduce the risk it will break down.

Dust and other unwanted dirt can build up and suffocate your PC’s hardware. By regularly cleaning dust out of the fan vents and case, you can help protect the system from overheating and causing permanent damage to the internal parts of your computer and the information you store on it.

How often does it need to be done? If you don’t want to hurt your PC’s performance and lifespan with the added stress and heat, give it a good cleaning at least every six month to a year.

While the average user’s computer lasts several years, true cleaning of hardware and software could extend your PC’s useful life by a few more years.

Clean software helps protect your data. Antivirus software and regular program updates help ensure viruses, malware, and cybercriminals stay out of your system.

When you back up your files, delete unused programs, and perform maintenance tasks like defragmenting the hard drive, you help to ensure your computer can save your files without accidentally corrupting them.

You probably like a tidy home. It’s a good idea to keep your computer tidy, too. For instance, using an external hard drive or cloud-based storage can declutter your computer while helping to keep valuable data safe and secure.

How to clean your computer, Step 1: Hardware

To keep your computer’s hardware in good shape, there are key tasks you should add to your list of chores — after turning off and unplugging your computer.

Wipe down your computer

Dust off the outside of your computer with a soft, dry cloth at least once a week. Remove any fingerprints on the screen. If you want to use a cleaning fluid, visit a computer store to find one that’s specifically designed for your monitor type.

Regular household cleaners may damage a monitor screen, wearing away coatings.
Instead, gently wipe your screen with a soft cloth. A microfiber cloth is great for this purpose.

You can dampen your cloth with distilled or filtered water to wipe away tougher smudges. Plain water usually works, too, but filtered or distilled water will help you avoid streaks.

If heavier cleaning is needed, moisten a cloth with a 50-50 mix of distilled water and distilled white vinegar and gently rub your screen clean.

Norton Clean Up Computer Free

To clean the front and back of your laptop case, use a clean sponge that’s been dipped in mild dish soap and water and wrung out. Rub gently.

Make sure your computer is dry before turning it back on.

Clean Your keyboard

Pick up your keyboard, turn it over, and gently pat it on the back to dislodge crumbs, stray hairs, and other tiny bits of dirt. If you’re having trouble removing sticky dirt, try using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or the cleaning mixtures mentioned above.

Gently wiping around the keys can help keep the keys from sticking or failing. If your keyboard is acting up, you may need to open it in order to “deep clean.” Check your computer or keyboard manual for instructions on how to open and clean this component safely.

Blow dust buildup out of computer vents, fans and accessories

Every three to six months, consider using a screwdriver to open your computer’s exterior case. With a can of compressed air (available at any computer store), clean the dust buildup out of the fan and the case. Put the case back together and use cotton swabs to pick up any lingering dirt on the fan vents or other small crevices on the outside of the case.

For laptops, check the manual for instructions on cleaning or safe case opening.

You also can use a few short bursts of this compressed air to dust out your keyboard and mouse.

Run check disk tool

To help detect hard drive issues before they lead to other problems, Microsoft Windows provides a Check Disk tool. The tool will scan for and repair issues such as file system errors or bad sectors. If you haven’t done this scan before, run a full scan, which enables automatic repairs. The process may take a few hours.

Check surge protector

Power surges can put harmful stress on your computer, and in some cases damage the power supply and other components. Did you know surge protectors can lose their protection after undergoing just one power surge? Even if they still appear “on,” they may not be providing the protection you need. So it’s a good idea to check them from time to time, especially after a notable power surge.

Keep PC ventilated

Maintaining proper air flow inside and outside of your PC is important. Make sure you have at least three inches of space on either side of your PC that’s free of obstructions such as other computers, papers, or walls. Also make sure your room is large enough or well-ventilated enough to facilitate good air flow.

Another thing to watch is your CPU fan and fan blades. If your processor keeps overheating and forcing your PC to shut down, you may need to upgrade your CPU fan.

How to clean your computer, Step 2: Software

It’s time to attend to the programs that create and store your important information. Here’s how to keep your computer’s “mind” as clean as its “body” to possibly extend its longer lifespan.

Back up your hard drives

Backing up your data — especially important data — is a must. A laptop or tablet can be replaced, but the information inside it may be irreplaceable.

In general, there are two options for backing up data: You can make a copy in a physical location, such as on an external hard drive or thumb drive, or you can make a copy that is stored on the “cloud,” or online, in a secure location.

Whichever you choose, commit to backing up your computer at least once a week or more often if you’re working on a project or want to preserve recently stored images.

Get antivirus software to protect from malware

Antivirus software helps prevent viruses and malware from infiltrating your device and messing with your data or stealing information which could lead to identity theft. Paid and free versions of antivirus software are available, and most programs can be set to work automatically in the background.

Update your software and programs

Make sure to update your software, especially high-use programs such as Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Chrome, and Windows. Outdated software can be vulnerable to malware, because most updates are created to keep software safe from threats. Downloading and installing the latest versions of your programs might not only protect your PC, but can keep it working quickly.

Declutter your software programs

While you do updates, check to make sure you’re using the programs on your system, and consider deleting any programs and files you no longer use. Decluttering helps ensure that your computer doesn’t get bogged down with unnecessary data. It also limits the number of programs malware might “hijack” to gain access to the system.

Clean your Windows registry

If you’re using Windows, there’s another step you may want to consider: cleaning your registry. Keep in mind that this may not make your device operate more efficiently. Your PC boot may work faster or maybe not.

Your Windows registry is a huge repository that holds details on everything you do on your PC. Making sure it’s clean is worth considering. But proceed with caution. If you make an error while cleaning your registry, you’ll need to reinstall your operating system. Be sure to back up your registry to be safe.

How to clean your computer, computer cleanup tools

Several computer cleanup tools can help you on the software side of the process.

Apple and Mac cleanup tools

Apple computers have their own unique set of computer cleanup tools. Here are three examples to consider.

Norton Clean Up Computer

CleanMyMac X Tool

Norton Pc Clean Up Free

This is an all-in-one optimization tool that serves as a Mac cleaner, a performance monitor, and a malware remover.

Norton Clean Up For Pc Windows 10

Disk Cleanup Pro Tool

This Mac tool can quickly remove the junk from your device without the risk of deleting the important stuff.

MacKeeper Tool

MacKeeper is another suite of cleanup tools to help your computer run smoothly and efficiently. It cleans out junk and duplicate files along with unnecessary apps, widgets and other extensions to free up space.

PC and Windows cleanup tools

Windows PCs have their own computer cleanup tools. Here are some of the options to consider:

Windows Disk Cleanup Tool

Norton Clean Up Pc

Windows has a disk cleanup tool that will free up space on your hard drive by deleting old files and other things you don’t need. To launch it, click on the Windows key, type in Disk Cleanup, and press enter.

Windows Disk Defragmenter Tool

Computers can slow down if the file system is fragmented. To address this, Windows has a disk defragmenter tool that is built into the system and can run automatically.

Other app cleanup tools

If your Apple or Windows cleanup tools aren’t addressing your issues, there are several other app cleanup tools that will require you to install additional software, such as MyCleanPC.

It’s smart to do your research to see what type of cleaning suits your individual computer needs.

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Copyright © 2021 NortonLifeLock Inc. All rights reserved. NortonLifeLock, the NortonLifeLock Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, LifeLock, and the LockMan Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NortonLifeLock Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Android, Google Chrome, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, LLC. Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Microsoft and the Window logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.