Five Things You MUST Do On Your New PC

By Bob Rankin

A brand-new PC is something to get excited about. It’s tempting to plug it in and just start exploring. But a new computer requires some initial fine-tuning in order to optimize performance and avoid problems later on. Here are five things every user should do to a new desktop or laptop PC as soon as it comes out of the box…

1. Optimize Your New PC

Job One is security. Antivirus software is a must on any PC, but the trial versions of Norton or McAfee that come preinstalled on new PCs are overpriced resource hogs. In fact, you don’t need to pay for anti-virus software at all! Download one of the many free and very capable antivirus packages I have described over the years.

See Free AntiVirus Software for a list of options and download links. Uninstall the trial antivirus that came with your PC, then install the free package.

I also recommend that you download a free utility program called MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, or MBAM for short. Run MBAM once a month or so, just in case your anti-virus program misses something. No security software is perfect, so a second look with an on-demand scanner like MBAM will help to keep you safe.

2. Getting rid of bloatware.

Bloatware (sometimes called crapware) is not malicious software. Rather, it’s the term for all those unnecessary utilities and trial software that computer vendors are paid to load onto each new PC they ship. Many of these nuisances load automatically at startup, slowing your PC and annoying you with reminders to try them out. Essentially, they’re just advertisements that you pay to be annoyed by.

PC Decrapifier is a free utility that scans your hard drive for hundreds of bloatware programs and uninstalls them automatically. Alternatively, Revo Uninstaller will remove any program that Windows’ Add/Remove Programs feature can’t handle. See How to Clean Up Your Hard Drive for links to these free utilities, and be sure to read the note on avoiding a potential snafu when downloading.

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Excerpt shared with permission from Bob Rankin.

About Bob Rankin

Bob Rankin is a translator for the technology impaired -- a writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and explaining technology in plain English. His work has appeared in Computer World, NY Newsday, and other publications. Bob is also publisher of Internet TOURBUS, author of several computer books, and creator of the Lowfat Linux tutorial.

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