Top 10 Computer Tips For New Users
Owning a new computer for the first time can be a pretty scary thing, as there are so many things to a system, including how to use it and how to maintain it. Below are 10 tips designed to help you, the new computer user, feel more comfortable using your system for the first time!
-
Protect Your System
One of the first things you’ll want to do is protect your system from brownouts, electrical surges and blackouts. Every system, regardless of its importance should be hooked up using a surge protector. Surge protectors are designed to protect your system from electrical storms, which could end up saving you potentially hundreds in repairs. That’s if your system were to be damaged by one (a storm). A UPS is another thing you may want to connect your system up to, as they protect from blackouts and brownouts, and I’ve already mentioned.
-
Keep Everything Updated
All hard drives and programs come with their own flaws. After years of developing a program, a developer will release it to the public, only to discover new errors, which they later have to patch. When it comes to much bigger programs, such as operating systems and computer games, there can literally be hundreds of updates for them, in the form of critical updates, hotfixes and services packs, over the course of many years. To ensure your system is safe and doesn’t develop any issues, you want to ensure it is kept up-to-date with these updates.
Additionally, applications that feature plugins, will also need to be updated, as these plugins can suddenly stop working, if, for example, they were made for a specific version of an internet browser, only for the browser to receive an update, for example.
-
Clean the Computer
If you take time to clean your system, to clean it of any dirt and dust, it can help keep it running optimally, as this should prevent it from developing any long term overheating issues. While cleaning is a great idea, it’s also a good idea to manage the data on your computer. Windows comes with its own cleaner tool called Scan Disk, which you can use to identify and repair errors no your drive, along with the defragger tool, which is designed to optimised your drive. It’s also a good idea to look through all the software that came with your system, and remove the programs you know you won’t be using.
-
Take Full Advantage of Your Mouse
A lot of new computer users have the habit of using just the left mouse button. You want to get the most out of your mouse by using all its button, which would include the right mouse button, to access context menus. For example, it’s possible to highlight text and cut, copy or carry out some other function, when you combine highlight, with the right-mouse button. Additionally, you will find other functions available to you when you right-click on a file.
The vast majority of Windows users, use the mouse wheel just to scroll up and down a page, however, this wheel can act as a third button, as it is possible to press it down. Some mouse designs also allow the end user to shift the wheel to the left or right, to perform additional functions, such as moving back or forward on a website.
A lot of mice today also come with side buttons, which are referred to as thumb buttons, these buttons can be programmed to do whatever you want. So if you want to move back and forward on a web page, simply click on that button.
-
Malware Removal
When it comes to cybersecurity, you want to go with an approach that is multi-layered. Microsoft comes with its own built-in scanner called Windows Defender. So that’s something you want to ensure is enabled.
For first time users, the operating system should notify you about the program, simply click on it, in the taskbar, and make sure real-time protection is turned to on.
-
Find Slow Programs
You’re on your system, working away, but it’s acting sluggish. You want it to load programs much faster, as you sit there for what seems like an age for tabs to appear. If you find yourself in this position, your next cause of action should be to try and determine what’s causing the slow down.
You can do this by using Task Manager. Opening it up, by right-clicking on the Taskbar and selecting Task Manager. Then clicking on the Processes Tab, and evaluating the different programs and apps running in the background of your system. There you will be able to find out how much CPU, memory, disk and network resources are being used, and by what programs.
-
Familiarise Yourself with the Free Alternatives
It’s in your best interest to be familiar with the different free alternatives to the many popular programs out there. For example, everybody needs a word processor on their system. If you lack the funds, then Microsoft Office may be out of the question, as an alternative, there’s OpenOffice that works just as well.
-
Use Provided Help Files
One thing you will discover is that every program comes with its own help files, which are typically made available online. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, in these help files, then you can search the internet for an answer to your question. There are a lot of computer portals that provide answers to such questions.
-
Record Screen Activity
We’re all used to watching videos and games in real time, however, now it’s possible for you to record these activities, so you can view them at a later date. When you’re either in a video or game, all you need to do is click on the Windows Key, followed by the letter G, then follow the onscreen instructions to begin recording.
-
Print PDF
If you print a lot of documents, then you’re likely familiar with the “send it to me as a PDF” option. Well, if you don’t know what a PDF is, then I will tell you. Essentially, it’s a file format that is compatible across many platforms and operating systems. Microsoft Word is able to convert any document you may have written, into a PDF file.
To convert your documents, simply go through the same process you would if you were printing. Then select Microsoft Print to PDF, if on Microsoft Word, then choose you’re save location and filename, and you’re good to go.
–AUTHOR INFO—
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website Compuchenna.co.uk
