Cleaning+your+Windows

= Cleaning your Windows = In order to keep your computer in peak operating condition, be sure to complete the recommended processes below as frequently as directed. You may do so more often, but it should not be necessary for most users.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to find links to tutorials and cheatsheets with more detailed instructions for the processes mentioned below.

2.  Make sure your school-related files are stored in organized folders. 3.  Right click on the folder you wish to back up   à   Navigate to your user volume on the server (Example: Your folder on the H drive   à   Right click inside the folder   à   Paste) Delete any duplicate folders/files so that multiple copies aren’t stored on the server. //Note: Server storage space is limited. You may need to delete server contents before backing up from your harddrive. // ||  ·   Email to yourself (using a non-school email account) – best for temporary storage  ·   Flash drive (best for data transfer to home computer)  ·   CD/DVD (burn copies for archival purposes)  ·   External hard drive or online storage service (for use on multiple computers; generally good for long-term storage)  || Start  à   Programs   à   Windows Update   à   Select Express Update  ||  ·   At least once per week  ·   Ideally, once per month or when computer seems slow or virus is suspected  ||  ·   Right click on the Panda icon and Update  ·   Right click Panda   à   Full Scan Can take 3+ hours to fully scan // Do not use your machine while this process is running. // For more detailed instructions, go to the [|Panda Website]. ||  2.   Scan  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Full Scan Can take 1-3 hours to fully scan || 2.  To make sure you don’t delete anything you may need, consult instructions on the website for what you can/can’t delete. Generally ok to check: DO NOT CHECK: 3.  Click OK    May take 5-10 minutes to complete ||  2.   Click Defragment 3.  Allow to run May 15-45 minutes to complete, depending upon how frequently you run it //  Do not use your machine while this process is running. // || When computer is reimaged When calibration seems off (stylus doesn’t seem to be hitting the right spot) ||   1. Start <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Control Panels  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Printers and Other Hardware  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Tablet and Pen Settings  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Calibration 2.  Do both Portrait and Landscape 3.  Apply  || 2.  In main menu… Store  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Deauthorize Computer  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Enter user name and password  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Deauthorize Note: You’ll need to authorize machine before playing music from your account. || Gently wipe away dust/grime. Be cautious not to worsen any issues by pushing dirt into crevices or between keys. // Note: for keyboard area or areas near switches/buttons, shut down computer first. // ||
 * ~ == //Process// == ||~ == //How often?// == ||~ == //How do I to do it?// == ||
 * ** Empty Recycle Bin ** || Weekly or more  || <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"> ·    Right click on Recycle Bin  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Empty Recycle Bin  ||
 * ** Back Up Schoolwork ** || Weekly or more  ||   1.   Close all files and applications.
 * ** Back Up Personal Data ** || Monthly or more  ||  Personal data can be backed up using the following methods:
 * ** Install Windows Updates ** || Whenever available and time permits (//Note: it’s best to do this when you’re not in a hurry because some of these updates can take 30+ minutes to download and install; most require reboot//)  ||  Click on the yellow shield in your right taskbar to automatically install or…
 * ** Panda **
 * Update
 * Scan ||
 * ** Windows Defender ** || Monthly or more  ||   1.   Start  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Programs  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Windows Defender
 * ** Disk Clean-up ** || Monthly, do before Defragmenting  ||   1.   Start  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Programs  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Accessories  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   System Tools  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Disk Cleanup (allow to run)
 * Downloaded program files
 * Temporary Internet Files
 * Offline Webpages
 * MS Office Temporary Files
 * MS Error Reporting Temporary Files
 * Recycle Bin
 * Temporary Files
 * WebClient/Publisher Temporary Files
 * Office Setup Files
 * Compress Old Files
 * ** Disk Defragment ** || Monthly or when machine feels slow  ||   1.   Start  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Programs  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Accessories  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   System Tools  <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> à   Disk Defragmenter
 * ** Calibrate Stylus **
 * (tablets only) ** || When new computer is received
 * ** Deauthorize iTunes Account ** || Whenever your computer is reimaged or at the end of the school year  ||   1.   Launch iTunes
 * ** Clean Computer ** || Weekly or when it appears grungy next to another computer  ||  Use a dry or barely dampened towel that is clean, soft, and lint-free (something safe for eyeglass lenses) or Windex Wipes.

Here are some cheat sheets and tutorials to help you keep your PC running smoothly.


 * [|Video series from Atomic Learning]Check out the ones about Windows Defender and SpyBot as well as those about ScanDisk and Windows Defragmenter
 * [|How to run Panda antivirus] (Configure once, update weekly, run monthly or when problems occur)
 * [|How to install Windows Defender] (Configure once, update weekly, run monthly or when problems occur)
 * [|Disk Cleanup and Defragment] (Run monthly or when problems occur)
 * [|SpyBot Search and Destroy] (Configure once, update weekly, run monthly or when problems occur)
 * [|ConfigFree.pdf] How to make the "wireless doctor" stop making unexpected housecalls when your computer boots up