If you live in locally, you know how quickly Ohio weather can flip the switch.
A couple weeks ago we were dealing with a foot of snow, gray skies, and freezing temps. Now we get a stretch of beautiful weather and suddenly everyone has spring fever. Windows are open. Closets are getting cleaned. Garages are getting reorganized. It feels good to reset things.
And while it might still be a little early to clear out every leaf in the yard since pollinators are just waking up, it is definitely the perfect time to freshen up your computer.
After a long winter of streaming, online shopping, downloading files, working from home, and storing photos, most computers are carrying around more clutter than we realize. The good news is you do not need to be a tech expert to clean things up safely.
Start by looking at the programs installed on your computer. Over time, things sneak in. Maybe it was a free tool you needed once. Maybe it was bundled with something else. If you see something you no longer use, it is usually safe to remove it. If you are unsure what something is, take a moment to look it up before deleting. A little research goes a long way.
Next, take a look at your desktop and downloads folder. For many people, the desktop slowly turns into a digital junk drawer. Moving files into clearly labeled folders and deleting duplicates can instantly make your system feel more manageable. Even just emptying the recycle bin can free up space.
It is also a good time to check for updates. Winter has a way of making us click “remind me later” a little too often. Installing operating system updates, browser updates, and program updates not only improves performance, it also patches security gaps. Those small update reminders exist for a reason.
Storage is another area that quietly affects speed. If your computer constantly warns you about low space, it is going to feel sluggish. Large video files, duplicate photos, and old downloads are usually the biggest space hogs. Cleaning those out can give your system some breathing room.
Before you get too ambitious with deleting, make sure important files are backed up. Family photos, tax documents, and anything sentimental should always live in more than one place. Spring cleaning should feel productive, not stressful.
Physical cleaning matters too. Dust builds up in keyboards and vents. A little compressed air and a proper screen safe cloth can make a noticeable difference. Skip the household glass cleaner. Your screen will thank you.
Sometimes, though, a clean up is not the full solution. If your computer is still running slowly after decluttering, it could be aging hardware, limited memory, or an operating system that is nearing the end of support. We are seeing more devices in that cannot move to Windows 11, which means they will eventually stop receiving security updates. That is something worth paying attention to.
If you would rather not dig into all of this yourself, that is completely fine. We can perform a tune up remotely in many cases, or you can drop your device off at our partner facility and let us handle it safely. Sometimes a professional clean up is quicker and less frustrating than guessing your way through it.
Spring always feels like a reset around here. Giving your computer the same fresh start can make daily tasks smoother and a lot less annoying.
And if you start cleaning and think, I am not sure about this one, that is usually your cue to pause.
We are here when you need us.
