Cleaning Your PC 101

All Windows-based PCs are susceptible to a certain level of system data bloating and corruption, especially if you have had the same system running for several years.  This is caused by several factors.

Once you have decided that your system needs serious attention and that you are ready to spend the next two to four hours on this project.  You really have two options to consider.  Cleanup my current setup or reinstall it with a fresh OS.   This question is more complicated than you may think, and you need to ask yourself the following questions to determine which option is best for you.

  • Do you have your files and critical data backed up somewhere? How large is the total amount in the cloud that would need to be downloaded to restore your system? (If you have had to upload and download a terabyte of data from the cloud, you know why this is an important consideration)
  • How comfortable are you with your current setup, and are you willing to endure the transition time to set up a new OS, given the several dozen small preferences, security decisions, and changes you would need to duplicate from your current OS to get back to what you currently have?
  • Do you have all the installation software and licenses required to reinstall your critical software?  For example, my old version of Adobe Acrobat Pro requires licensing verification online, but those legacy servers are no longer active.  If I wanted to use the software on a new OS or PC, I would have to buy a new subscription.

A third option is a completely new operating system, distinct from your current one.  This is an entirely different subject, and I will refrain from getting off topic, since switching your current OS to another available alternative would require far more consideration than what we are discussing here.

Based on the answer to the questions I just listed, I often find that doing a clean up espeicailly if you use some free helper software to make it easier, is better than starting over from scratch with a reinstall.  If you’re in a situation where you have nothing important on your PC or software that you need to worry about, reinstalling your current OS would probably take less time and put you in a better place faster.  Keep in mind that you will be starting from factory default, as if you had just turned on your PC for the 1st time.  This may make reinstalling your current OS less palatable.

Suggested Steps for Windows PC cleanup:

Step 1 – Windows Updates –

Make sure your PC has all current Windows updates installed, including optional updates, which are usually driver installations.