Top 8 Simple Things Every Computer User Should Know

Even if you are the person that everyone goes to for tech help, you probably still require additional help from time to time to complete certain tasks. Maintaining ones computer is a very broad subject that includes a great many things. The laptop and desktop computer has become an essential component of our day to day lives, especially for the professional and student.

Here are 8 simple things every computer user out there should want to know, especially if they want to extend the life of their system. 

1. Regular Maintenance Is Crucial

With the added complexity of computer software, maintaining ones computer is a task that has become increasingly more difficult. Whether you are on a Windows or Mac based computer, the things that you must always do include keeping the operating system up-to-date with the latest patches and have good antivirus software running on it at all times.

2. Setup a Backup System

Backing up ones computer is a task that we’re all probably aware of, but rarely ever get down to actually doing it. Setting up a backup system only takes a couple of minutes, so you can do it in very little time and forget about it, until you need to work with it again.

If you’re using an external hard drive as a storage location for your backups, then you can probably use the built-in backup tools that come bundled with the operating system. However, such backups will only help you in the event that your computer fails. If your home was to burn down and you lost all your personal belongings, you’d effectively lose everything, your important files, photos, applications etc.

As a workaround, I’d recommend you used an online backup service. That way, all the data you backup to it, will be accessible on any computer, providing you have the login details.

3. Secure Sensitive Data

While ensuring your most important files are backed up, protecting your most sensitive data, like password details is also equally as important. The internet has tons of vulnerabilities that computer hackers are all too happy to exploit, which is why I recommend you use encrypted software to conceal this information.

4. Share Your Computer Files

In order to transfer data from one computer to another, the usual methods entail the use of a hard drive or flash drive. However, the more convenient way of doing it is to use Windows Home Group feature, which allows you to send data wirelessly to all the computers attached to your home network. Drop Box also has similar capabilities, but you’ll need to be logged into the service in order to utilise it.

5. Use Computer Shortcuts

One of the best things about our computer systems is that through them, it’s possible for you to do things that would otherwise take you a considerable amount of time. Say for example you want to find a specific word on a web page. Instead of scanning for it on the page, you could simply use the search feature by pressing Ctrl + F, and then type the word into the search box.

There are tons of shortcuts, from Ctrl + S, which will save your file, Ctrl + P, which will bring your document to Ctrl + T, which open a new tab in your browser window.

It may seem more complicated remembering and using these shortcuts, but after some time of using them, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to adopt them. There are tons of articles out there that highlight the most popular and useful shortcuts.

6. Manage Your WiFi Network

Learning about the particulars of a network, such as a router, LAN cables and Ethernet ports can be quite scary, especially when you factor in the amount of knowhow that goes into setting one up.

That said it’s possible for you to boost your Wi-Fi signal by attaching a booster to your router. If you constantly need to reset your router, and then make sure it isn’t crowded or overheating.

7. Free Your System of Junk Files

Ever wondered how all those browser toolbars get onto your system, or why you have so many applications installed on your computer that you do not need or use? Bloatware is a major issue in today’s world of Windows, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something you can do about it.

With the right applications and tools, it’s possible for you to avoid bloatware in the future. Just remove all the stuff that came with your computer that you do not use and then spend some time learning about the different ways companies trick you into installing an application that you do not need. If you can do that, you will be able to keep your system clean of anything that would otherwise slow your system down.

8. Keep Your Personal Information Secure

The internet can be described as many things, except a safe and secure place, it’s for this reason why you’ll want to keep all your personal information as safe and as secure as possible. Making sure you are always using strong passwords, consider removing personal information from document files and photos, and never use your Wi-Fi network without the appropriate protection. Keeping all your personal data safe and secure is not as difficult as it sounds. However, if you’re unsure of what that entails, then I recommend you check out the many articles that write about keeping ones computer safe while online.

--AUTHOR INFO—

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website where he writes about computer related tools and other, issues and topics.