Windows 10
There are two free programs you can install on your computer and four simple scans you can run on your computer weekly or monthly to make your computer run better. These programs and simple scans are not hard to do.
The two free programs are:
- Microsoft Defender Microsoft Defender comes preloaded and will protect your computer. I(f you have an earlier version of windows, try download Microsoft Security Essentials.)
- Malwarebytes is a free program that you can run to identify and delete spyware and adware.
The scans are as follows:
- Scan Disk — This scans for bad sectors and problems with your computer hardware taken from the answers page at Microsoft
- Press Windows key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
- In the File Explorer window, click on This PC in the left navigation pane.
- A list of drives is displayed on the right side of the window. Right-click on the drive you want to run Scandisk on and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, click on the Tools tab.
- Click the Check button in the Error Checking section.
- The computer needs to restart to run Scandisk without any interruptions.
- Defrag — This scans and moves folders and files together for quicker access. Click here for instructions.
- Online Safety Scan — This is a free online scan from Microsoft that will help remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.
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The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool — an anti-malware utility that checks your computer for malicious software and helps remove malware and any other infections found.
These 4 simple scans can keep your computer running faster and better and protect you from unwanted intrusions on your computer: