It’s not the operating system of connoisseurs; rather, it is the masses who follow herd mentality and go with Windows, the OS that we all love to hate, but which we cannot live without nonetheless. Yes, the original software is expensive and there are numerous bugs in each version of the Windows operating system, but we still take to it like a duck to water for various reasons:
Most OEM choose to install Windows on their PCs and notebooks, and a free pre-installed software is always welcome.
It is easy enough to operate, even for someone who is new to computers.
Most software and applications are built for Windows because it is the choice of (or thrust onto) the majority.
Yes, there may be times when you will complain about Windows, when the automatic updates and the various screen pop-ups annoy you and make you wish that this dratted OS would just leave you alone, but if you know how to maximize your Windows experience, there is just the chance that you might enjoy it more than you do right now.
Never use pirated software
It is expensive, but authentic is the best way to go when it comes to Windows. For one, if you run a pirated version of the OS, you must turn off your automatic updates in order to avoid being detected. And when you do this, you miss out on all the important patches and updates that are necessary to keep your system free of viruses and other complications. And for another, you need to do your part to kill piracy, no matter what you think about Microsoft being too rich for its own good.
Don’t clutter your system
When you download too many applications to your system, you risk cluttering your memory, especially when you have more than one running at the same time. The more programs you have open simultaneously, the slower your system becomes.
Remove programs and applications that you do not use often by going to your Control Panel and using the Add/Remove Programs option.
Also, to free up disk space from time to time, run the Disk Cleanup option from your Control Panel,select the hard drive that you want to clean, check the files that you want to delete, and click Ok.
Remove unwanted programs that run at startup
The more programs that load when your computer boots up, the slower the boot process is going to be. For quick boot times, remove unwanted programs that run when your computer starts. Usually, instant messenger applications and other trivial applications are set to open on startup by default.
To remove those applications you don’t want, open Windows Defender, and click the Tools and Software Explorer buttons. Choose Startup Programs from the Category box, select the programs you want to disable, and click Disable and then Ok to confirm.
Keep your system free of viruses
A virus can not only create havoc on your files, it can also wreck your hardware if you’re not careful. So use a good antivirus software that warns you of invasions and helps you get rid of any that have wormed their way in. Also ensure that your antivirus solution is set to update its virus definition database automatically so that new viruses are added to the list that your system must scan for. You don’t have to invest in an expensive antivirus solution because there are perfectly good, free antivirus applications around.
Create separate user accounts
If more than one person uses your Windows system, create different user accounts for each person so that the desktop and memory do not get cluttered. Encourage everyone who uses it to designate their own folders for storing files and programs so that there is sense of order and you can find what you need in a jiffy.
Go to your Control Panel and click User Accounts, use the Administrator option to set your own password, and then click Manage another Account. Choose Create a User Account, and follow the instructions provided. There is also a Guest option that people who don’t have User Accounts can use so that you limit their access to your files and applications.
Any OS is only as good as the way you use it, so when you learn how to maximize your Windows experience, you feel the difference in its usage.
