No
matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things every one of us
has to deal with when using a computer—and we don't always deal with
them in the most efficient ways. Here are 10 things that everyone can
(and should) learn to keep their computer fast, safe, and easy to use.
Here at Technologyzaleo, we take a lot of the simpler stuff for granted: how to avoid
viruses, use keyboard shortcuts, or even just keep your data backed up.
Even if you've mastered all of these tricks (and there's a good chance
you haven't), you may want to send this along to some of your less
computer-savvy friends. After all, the more they know how to do, the
less they'll call you for help.
10. Set Up a Simple Backup System
We all know we should
back up our computers, but it's always one of those things that you'll
set up "one day". Setting up a backup only takes minutes to do, though,
so you can do it right now and forget about it until you need
it—and when you do need it, you'll be glad you set it up. If you're just
backing up to an external drive, you can just use the simple tools
built in to your computer, like Windows Backup or Apple's Time Machine.
However, that'll only keep you safe if your computer fails. If you lose
your home in a fire, get all your gear stolen, or experience any other
kind of disaster (God forbid), you'll have lost all those important
documents, family photos, and other files forever. So, we recommend
using a service like CrashPlan to back up your computer online. That way, it can back up no matter where you are, and that data will be safe no matter what happens to your hardware.
9. Do Everything Faster with Shortcuts
The
great thing about computers is that they can do a lot of things much
faster than a human. Say you're looking for a specific word on a web
page. Instead of scanning it yourself, all you need to do is press
Ctrl+F and type the word you're looking for. There are mountains of
shortcut like this, from pressing Ctrl+S to instantly save the file
you're working on, Ctrl+P to print it out, or Ctrl+T to open a new tab
in your web browser. It may seem like more trouble than its worth at
first, but after you use a shortcut one or two times, you'll wonder why
you ever did anything with the mouse. Check out our list of six shortcuts everyone should know, as well as our shortcut of the day series for even more tricks.
8. Protect Yourself From Viruses
Windows users have long known the pain of viruses and other malware,
but the good news is it's pretty easy to avoid. First, we recommend learning the difference between viruses, trojans, and other kinds of attacks, as well as the myths surrounding them. Then, install some good antivirus software to protect yourself (Microsoft Security Essentials is our favorite—you won't even know it's there). You can even get antivirus for your Android phone,
if you so choose. But in the end, the best way to avoid viruses is to
use common sense: don't open links that look suspicious, don't install
programs from untrusted sources, and if a window pops up saying your
computer's infected, make sure it's actually your antivirus software
saying that and not a fake web page.
7. Set Up Your Network (and Fix Wi-Fi Problems)
Understanding
routers, modems, and the other things that make up your network can
seem daunting, but there are a few basics that can fix most problems
that come your way. Does your router constantly need resetting? Make sure it isn't overheating or clogged with traffic. Is your Wi-Fi speed and range less than ideal? Use one of these tricks to give it a boost. If you experience more serious problems, you can probably fix them yourself too. Check out our complete guide to knowing your network for more info—it's got everything you need to know, from buying a router to setting up your network and more.
6. Keep Your Batteries Lasting as Long as Possible
Running
out of battery on your phone or laptop can be pretty frustrating, but
luckily, you can do a lot of things to keep it lasting longer. Your
laptop has a lot of built-in power settings that can come in really handy, and there are a few tricks on both Android and the iPhone that will eke some extra time out of your battery. And, if you want your battery to retain that life, make sure you know how often to charge it to keep it alive in the years ahead.
5. Access Your Home Computer From Anywhere
Ever
go out with your laptop and realize you left something important on
your computer at home? One way to solve this problem is to use a service
like Dropbox, so your files are with you everywhere you go. However, it's also handy to know how to use your home computer from anywhere.
With a simple app, you can log into your home computer from another
machine and use it as if you were sitting right at your desk—whether you
just need to grab a quick file or access a program you don't have
elsewhere.
4. Keep Your Computer in Tip Top Shape with Regular Maintenance
Computer
maintenance has gotten really confusing over the years. Between
defragging, cleaning up temporary files, and other tasks, it's almost
like trying to maintain a car. Luckily, it's gotten a lot
easier in recent years: you only really need to do one or two things to
keep your computer running fast and smooth. Check out our guides to Windows maintenance and Mac maintenance for more info and keep your PC running like new. And if your phone's feeling a little sluggish, we have guides for iOS and Android, too.
3. Instantly Share a File Between Two Computers
So
you've got some files you want to give to your friend sitting next to
you, but your flash drive has mysteriously gone missing. Well guess
what? You don't need it! It's very easy to transfer a file between two
computers over your wireless (or wired) network, whether it's between
you and a friend or between multiple computers you own. Here are our favorite ways to share files with a nearby computer, but if you want to share them between multiple computers in your house, Windows 7's Homegroup feature is a great option. Of course, this is where the aforementioned Dropbox app can come in handy, too. And if you're sharing larger files over the internet, there are great ways to do that too.
2. Easily Find Your Lost or Stolen Gadgets
You never know when you might misplace your phone, laptop, or other
tech, so set up some safeguards now. iPhones have an easy-to-use feature
called Find My iPhone that'll help you track it if it goes missing, but we're big fans of an app called Prey. With it, you can track nearly any laptop or smartphone that's gone missing, and even get a photo of who might be using it. If you're missing a camera, the CameraTrace service can help you find it,
too. Of course, the best solution is making sure it doesn't get stolen
in the first place, and making sure all your personal data is locked
down. Which brings us to our last tip...
1. Keep Your Personal Information Safe and Secure
This post was written by: Author Name
Your description comes here!
Get Free Email Updates to your Inbox!
