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How To Keep An Old Computer Running Smoothly

The document provides tips for keeping an old computer running smoothly by securing it from internet threats, considering upgrading the operating system or installing a lighter OS, maintaining the computer through regular shutdowns and uninstalling unused programs, and backing up files to protect from data loss.

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sunil.muduli
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20 views

How To Keep An Old Computer Running Smoothly

The document provides tips for keeping an old computer running smoothly by securing it from internet threats, considering upgrading the operating system or installing a lighter OS, maintaining the computer through regular shutdowns and uninstalling unused programs, and backing up files to protect from data loss.

Uploaded by

sunil.muduli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to keep an old computer running

smoothly

Being stuck with an old computer can be challenging. Unsupported operating systems are
vulnerable to Internet threats, and the hardware of an older computer starts to face some
limitations. However, there are a few things you can do to protect it and keep it running
smoothly.

Secure your computer


Older versions of Windows, like Windows XP, no longer receive security updates from
Microsoft. This leaves them vulnerable to many Internet dangers. You can protect your
system by running up-to-date antivirus, antimalware, and firewall programs. Learn more in
our lesson on Protecting Your Computer from Internet Threats.
Using alternatives to Internet Explorer can also make your computer safer from Internet
threats. Chrome and Firefox are popular choices for browsing.
If you're using Microsoft Outlook, you might want to consider switching to another email
client like Thunderbird. Many Internet threats specifically target vulnerabilities in Outlook.

Consider upgrading your OS


One option for keeping your computer running smoothly and securely is upgrading to a
newer OS, giving you access to current security updates and support. However, it will usually
cost money, may require reformatting your hard drive, and might be confusing to use at first.
Before upgrading, consider if it is worth these costs, and check to see if your computer is
powerful enough to run the new OS.

Alternately, you could install a lighter, free OS like Linux. Learning how to use Linux might
take longer if you're accustomed to Windows, but it has many advantages and usually runs
well on older computers. See our Linux resources for more information.

Maintain your computer


A few simple steps can extend the lifetime of your computer, keep your operating system
running smoothly, and protect you from data loss. Think of these as good habits, like
brushing your teeth every day or getting the oil changed in your car regularly.

 Shut down your computer at least a few times a week, or every day.
 Uninstall programs you no longer use.
 Delete large files you no longer need, especially media files like movies, music, and
images.
 Disable programs from running on startup unless they are necessary.
 Use a maintenance tool like CCleaner.
Back up your files
Older computers are more likely to experience hardware failure. Preparing for this possibility
is much easier than recovering data from a failed drive. Backing up your files will protect you
from losing your data. The two most common ways of doing this are copying your data to an
external drive and using an online backup service.

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