Guide to Basic Windows Maintenance & Security
by James R. Simas
Last updated: 10/27/09


Basic Windows Maintenance

1. Manually Defragmenting your Hard Disk


While saving files to your hard drive, Windows tries to utilize the space as best it can. In order to do so, it will sometimes cut a file into multiple parts in order to make it fit into free space on your hard drive that it otherwise could not. Over time, these the proliferation of these fragmented files tends to slow down the computer because it has to access multiple areas of your hard drive to open just one file.

Microsoft includes a utility with Windows called the "Disk Defragmentor" that will collect all the fragmented files and put them back together into one continuous piece, effectively decreasing the time it takes to open files on your computer.

To run this utility, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, click Disk Defragmentor. When the Disk Defragmentor opens, you should see a button called Defragment. Click it.

This process may take several hours to complete the first time you run it, so you might want to run it before going to bed.


2. Managing your Startup Programs


Many programs start up automatically with Windows when your computer starts. The reason they do this varies from program to program. Some do it so that when you access the program it will open quicker since it is already running. Some do it so that they can run in the background and notify you when certain events occur (e.g. they show a notification letting you know that a cheap flight is available.)

The downside of programs running in the background is that if you have too many running at one time, they can slow down your computer and make it perform slower than it should.

Here's how to manage the programs that start with Windows:

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Run
    1. On Windows Vista and Windows 7 you can type the command listed below into the Search menu, which is found by clicking the Start button and typing into the white box at the bottom-left corner of the Start Menu.
  3. Type in MSCONFIG
  4. Click OK
    1. On Windows Vista and Window 7, allow the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.
  5. Click the Startup tab
  6. Uncheck anything you don't want to startup. Don't worry, you shouldn't be able to break anything permanently here. At worst, you come back and put the check marks back.
  7. Click Apply then OK.
  8. You should receive a message similar "You must restart your computer for some of the changes made by System Configuration to take effect."  
  9. Restart your computer.
  10. When it starts up, you will see a message that says "You have used the System Configuration Utility to change the way Windows start."
  11. Put a checkmark in the box that says "Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows start:"
  12. Click OK.

Here is a screenshot of the Windows XP startup manager: 



3. Freeing up Disk Space


There are several folders in Windows in which Temporary files are stored. The problem with this is that these folders are not cleaned out automatically (that I know of); they must be cleaned out by using the Disk Cleanup utility included with Windows. If this is never done, the folders tend to become large.

To open the Disk Cleanup wizard click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, click Disk Cleanup.

Select the following options:

Click OK.

Basic Windows Security

1. Antivirus Software


First off, no antivirus solution is bulletproof. The biggest reason for this is the sheer number of threats released every year onto the internet. According to Symantec there have been over five million threats detected by them in 2009 so far. (Source.)

That said, running Antivirus software significantly reduces the risk of infection by a virus and is very nearly always a very good idea.

My top paid security solution is either Norton Antivirus or Norton Internet security. The reason for this is twofold. First, Symantec is really on top of monitoring the internet for the latest threats and pushing detection updates to its customers very quickly. They send small updates of virus definitions to their customers every five to ten minutes. And secondly, Symantec has made great strides in the past few years at reducing the system resources used by their program. Before using a Symantec product, I was using AVG Free. The performance increase I experienced by switching from AVG to Norton Internet Security was significant.

Norton Antivirus

Norton Internet Security

Now, I realize that everyone is not able (or willing) to pay for a security solution. That said, here are some solutions that I feel comfortable recommending. Between the two I would choose Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Security Essentials

AVG Free

2. Windows Updates


Microsoft (like any operating system manufacturer) regularly releases security updates for Windows as new vulnerabilities are discovered for Windows. It is very important that you install these on a regular basis. You can tell Windows to install these up automatically.

Configuring Windows XP to install Windows Updates Automatically
  1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then press ENTER.
  2. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click to select one of the following options. We recommend that you select the "Automatic (recommended) Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them" option. (Source)
    1. Windows will now download updates when you are online and install them automatically. By default, it tries to install the updates at 3am.

Configuring Windows Vista & Windows 7 to install Windows Updates Automatically
  1. Automatic updates are turned on by default in Windows Vista and Windows 7. You should not need to configure anything.

3. Program Updates

During the last year or so, hackers have switched their primary target of exploits from Windows itself to the programs that commonly run on Windows. Examples of commonly targeted programs are Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.

This said, it is extremely important to update any of your software any time it prompts you you to because these updates will often contain security fixes which will help decrease you chance of infection.

Sub-note about Web Browsers and which is most secure:


Conclusion

I hope this guide was a helpful basic primer on maintaining Windows. If you guys have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to email me at xierox@gmail.com.

Regards,
James