Once-a-year computer checkup: 7 simple things to do

You don't need to be “good with computers” to keep your laptop or PC healthy.

Just like a car, it works better and lives longer if someone looks at it once in a while. Once a year is already a big improvement for most people.

Here is a simple, non-technical checklist you can follow at home – and if any of it feels stressful, we can simply do it for you.

1. Check that your files are backed up

Think about the photos, documents, and work files on your computer. If the computer died today, would you lose something important?

• Make sure you have at least one backup: an external disk, a USB stick, or a cloud service (for example OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive).
• Test it once: can you open a file from the backup?

If you're not sure what to choose or how to set it up, we can help you pick an option that fits your situation and set it up so it works automatically.

2. Run system updates

Updates close security holes and fix problems, but many computers go months or years without them.

• On Windows, open Settings → Windows Update and install everything it offers.
• On macOS, open System Settings → General → Software Update.

If updates fail or take forever, that’s usually a sign the system needs a bit more care. We can do this for you, check what went wrong, and clean up old leftovers.

3. Check your antivirus and basic protection

Modern systems have built-in protection, but it only helps if it's turned on and working.

• On Windows, check that Microsoft Defender is active and green.
• Make sure you have only one antivirus program installed. Two or three can actually slow things down and make things worse.

If you're seeing a lot of pop-ups or “cleaners” asking for money, there’s a good chance some of them are unnecessary or even harmful. We can remove the noise and leave you with one simple, safe solution.

4. Free up a bit of space

When your disk is almost full, everything becomes slow.

• Delete programs you no longer use (old games, trials, “toolbars”, etc.).
• Empty the Recycle Bin / Trash.
• Move old photos and videos to a backup drive if they take up a lot of space.

If you're not sure what is safe to remove, we can connect remotely or visit and clean it up without touching anything important.

5. Give the machine a physical clean

Dust and pet hair inside the computer make it hot and noisy and shorten its life.

• Shut the computer down and unplug it.
• Gently clean the vents and fans with a soft brush or compressed air from outside (don’t poke inside with sharp objects).

If opening the case feels scary, we can do a proper deep clean, renew thermal paste when needed, and check that all fans work correctly.

6. Review your passwords and logins

Many people in our area still use:

• the same password everywhere, or
• a note on paper that anyone can read.

At least once a year:

• Change the passwords to your email, bank, and main social media accounts.
• Make them longer rather than “clever”: a simple sentence is often good enough.

If you want, we can help you set up a password manager and show you how to use it in normal language, without jargon.

7. Think about whether it’s time for an upgrade

If your computer:

• takes many minutes to start,
• freezes when you open a browser, or
• makes loud fan noises all the time,

it might be time for:

• a simple upgrade (for example changing an old hard disk to a faster SSD), or
• planning when to replace it completely.

We can look at your current machine, tell you honestly if an upgrade makes sense, and help you choose a new one only if you really need it.

Prefer to have this done for you?

If this list feels like too much, that’s exactly what we’re here for.

We can offer a fixed-price yearly checkup where we:

• secure your important files with a backup solution that fits you,
• install updates and clean the system,
• check security and remove useless software,
• clean the inside of the computer where needed, and
• advise you on upgrades or replacement, without pressure.

You can contact us to book a visit or remote session, and we’ll take care of the technical side so you don’t have to.