PC Health Basics: Getting Started

Got a new computer or looking after your PC's health for the first time? Then start here.

1. Got Antivirus? If not, then get antivirus. There are many products you can buy such as the popular Norton Antivirus. There are also free products with limited features such as AVG Antivirus. I use the free version of AVG. It works fine for me. Download and install the software. Follow the instructions that automatically appear.


2. Download Spybot, a free spyware removal program. There are many download options. You want the one that has the following written under it: "Application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software." Download and install it.


3. Download AdAware, another free spyware removal tool. Do you really need both? No, I suppose not. Do you really need to wear sunscreen outdoors? No, but it's a good idea. I use both. Download and install it.


4. Download Windows Defender, a free spyware removal tool from Microsoft. Yes, I use this one as well. That's one antivirus program and three anti-spyware programs. After you download this one go into the settings or options and disable the automatic scan, it is annoying and unnecessary.


5. I recommend keeping all of these programs, or at least links to them, in the same folder. Think of it as your medicine kit or antivirus arsenal. To the arsenal, I would recommend adding Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and Hijack This. Both are free downloads and good to have on hand if you want a truly complete kit.


6. Proceed to Weekly Exercises and perform at least step one.

PC health Basics: Weekly Exercises

Do the following weekly or bi-monthly. The simplest way is to start one scanning or updating process running each day before you go to lunch, or any other time when you can give your computer some space. Many of these processes (especially updates) can often finish before you get back from the bathroom.

1. Go to this website: windowsupdate.microsoft.com
   
   Click on express.
   
   Then download any and all High-priority updates. You can ignore the other updates.
   
   Estimated time: 5 min or less, except for service pack downloads (very rare) which can take 30 minutes or more.
   Priority: High


2. Open up your antivirus software. First update it, then run a scan of your computer.
   
   Estimated time: Updates take 5 min or less. Scans can take hours depending on the software. Consider running this overnight.
   Priority: High


3. Open SpyBot. Download update. Go to immunizations. Immunize. Run a scan.
   
   Estimated time: Update and immunizations take 5 min or less. A scan takes 15-30 minutes.
   Priority: Medium


4. Open Adaware. Download updates and run a scan.
   
   Estimated time: Update takes a couple minutes. A scan takes 30 ish minutes.
   Priority: Medium


5. Open Windows Defender. Download updates and run a scan.
   
   Estimated time: Update takes a couple minutes. A scan takes 30 ish minutes.
   Priority: Medium


6. Open Eusing registry cleaner and run it. Then fix all results with the click of a button. This is more of a tool for speeding up your PC than for keeping harmful software off of it.
   
   Estimated time: 5 to 30 min (I forget)
   Priority: Low


7. Note: This step is for improved PC performance only. It is not essential.
   Defrag hard drive: From the start menu open "All Programs", "Accessories", "System Tools", "Disk Defragmenter". Click "Analyze" and if defragmentation is recommended then do it. If not, don't.
   
   Estimated time: Hours and hours. Run over night if you can. Luckily you won't need to run this very often.
   Priority: Low


8. Remove Old Programs
   Think of this as the annual garage sale. It's nice to do occasionally to get rid of old junk, but it is not essential.
   You can run the PC de-crapifier, or remove programs manually by going to the start menu, then open "Control panel", select "Add/Remove programs". A list of programs will appear with options to change or remove programs. Search through the list for programs that you no longer use, but that you recognize as unimportant. For example: games or music players. Remove any programs that fit this criteria. This will improve PC performance.
   
   Estimated time: Depends.
   Priority: Low

PC health Basics: What if I already have a virus?

There's no "one size fits all" solution to this, but a good start would be to run your antivirus software while in safemode.

If you are unfamiliar with safe mode, this tutorial will show you how to get to it: safemode.

Some antivirus software (like the free version of AVG) won't run in safemode. If you are unable / unwilling to pay for antivrus that does work in safemode, try downloading this free antivirus software that does work in safe mode: free av.

If that doesn't work, google name of the virus or the error, or problem that occurs. You may be able to find a tutorial explaining how to remove the virus.

The all in one repair kit described here might come in handy.

Pagefile

Improve performance by adjusting the pagefile settings. Read more here.

I will update this page if people have questions that I can answer or I learn more about this subject so feel free to make a post or send a message.