computer maintenance

Welcome
This fine tutorial will answer all your questions
Optimize Windows 7

Additional Information
As soon as you get home with your computer:

Dont install the antivirus software that pops up with instuctions to install.
Should be done at the end and this software, although probably free for a while,
will cost money down the road and is probably not the best.

Windows updates should be done immediately as you are vulnerable to problems
until updated; be sure to include office updates.

Adobe reader should be updated, the most recent version is a sandbox version which
reduces virus vulnerablity to your PDF files.

This is also the opportunity to download Adobe Flash Player

Download an alertative browser; ie FF or Chrome etc. In the event of problems with IE.

Remove any unwanted program bloat. They will slow up your computer and probably
cost money in the future.

Download your antivirus; Microsoft Security Essentials is suggested.

Make your recovery disc.

Now enjoy the internet.

To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...er-performance

Corazon said:

One notable exception to this rule is CCleaner which has a very nice registry cleaner built-in that's generally very safe to use.

While my experiences with CCleaner are usually positive, it's not always a guarantee. I would hesitate to run the CCleaer registry tool since the OP says everything is fine on his computer.

My personal recommendations are
1). Install testing or unknown software to a virtual machine, thus your host machine keeps a clean registry and doesn't get screwed up
2). Use a software application like Acronis/Macrium/EaseUs and make regular image backups. This way, if performance does tank for 1 reason or another, you can always snap back quickly and easily to your last known good image.

One more very important thing keep the dust bunnies out, they cause heat which can manifest into multible problems.

Yes, keeping the vents clean on a laptop is the best to avoid overheatting.