Does PC Cleaning Improve Performance? | McAfee Blog

If you’re facing issues with your PC’s performance or just want to upkeep it, regular cleaning should be on your to-do list. Cleaning up your PC has several advantages, including speeding up your system and safeguarding your personal information from potential threats. Besides, the process frees up storage space, enabling you to install more programs or store more multimedia files. A monthly clean-up is usually recommended for optimal results. Those who have never cleaned their PC might be in for a pleasant surprise with its much-enhanced speed and improved performance. In this guide, we will explain the ins and outs of PC cleaning to help you on the right path.

Understanding PC Cleaning

Over time, as you store multiple files on your PC, they begin to take up more and more space. Specifically, your C drive might be gradually filling up due to backup files, hidden files, and temporary files. Additionally, even a new PC can benefit from a cleaning since it often comes with pre-installed programs that you might not need. So, what is PC cleaning? Essentially, it involves deleting unneeded files from your system when you want to free up storage space and enhance the overall performance of your PC.

Assessing Program Usage on Your PC

One of the first steps in PC cleaning involves removing unwanted programs. This can be done by accessing the ‘Programs and Features’ section of your control panel. As a necessary measure, go through the list and note down the programs that you don’t use. If you encounter programs you don’t recognize, perform a quick internet search to understand their function before deleting them. Depending on the program’s size, removing them may not take long. Alongside removing unneeded programs, you can also use the disk cleanup utility to remove temporary files, which is another crucial aspect of PC cleaning.

McAfee Pro Tip: You may find Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP) while cleaning your computer. PUPs are not malware. The big thing to remember is that with PUPs, you’re saying “yes” to the download, even if you’re not fully aware of it because you didn’t read the fine print in the agreements or installation steps. However, Certain PUPs come bundled with spyware like keyloggers and dialers, as well as other software designed to collect your data, putting you at risk of identity theft. On the other hand, some may bombard your device with bothersome advertisements. Learn more about PUPs to avoid downloading them unknowingly. 

Cleaning Temporary Files

Temporary files consist of internet cookies and partially downloaded programs that were never installed on your system. Internet cookies store information such as user login credentials and images from websites visited. They primarily identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages or save necessary information. One of the advantages of these cookies is that they save you from entering your login information each time you visit a website. Moreover, web pages and online media you visit are stored in your browser’s cache, speeding up the browsing experience during your next visit.

The Importance of PC Cleaning

Your PC automatically stores files from the websites you visit on your hard drive. If not removed, these files accumulate over time and take up a significant amount of space on your PC. People often install programs on their PCs and forget to remove them after use, consuming much more space than they might think. Regular PC cleaning is an effective solution to prevent such issues.

→Dig Deeper: What Is Disk Cleanup And Does It Remove Viruses?

Can Deleting Files Make Your PC Faster?

While many believe that deleting files from their hard drive can increase the speed of their PC, the effect might not be as substantial as expected. Your temporary internet files can quicken the speed at which websites load because these files contain images and other media from the websites you visit. Thus, your PC doesn’t have to download them whenever you visit the same websites. However, it’s still a good practice to delete your temporary files occasionally to free up disk space.

Removing Startup Items

Some programs that you download start automatically when you turn your PC on. Although automatic startup processes are beneficial for some programs, having too many can slow down your PC. It’s advisable to manage which apps run automatically during startup to enhance PC performance.

Factors to Consider When Cleaning Your PC

While deleting temporary internet files doesn’t pose much risk, deleting the wrong programs or certain startup items can harm your PC. Start by removing temporary files and reducing startup items to see if there’s a performance improvement. Additionally, when deleting programs, it’s crucial to be fully aware of what you’re deleting to avoid problems later on.

Cleaning Sensitive Files

When you delete files from the recycle bin, they remain on your system as the deletion only removes the pointer, not the file itself. Using a file shredder can help you erase such data by overwriting the space with a pattern of 1’s and 0’s. Although this doesn’t necessarily improve performance, it helps ensure compliance with the law and prevents identity theft.

Why Cleaning Your PC is Essential?

When you own a computer, much like a car, regular maintenance and cleaning are essential. While it might not entirely increase your PC’s speed, it greatly improves efficiency and functionality, making all processes run smoother. This is because each time you visit a webpage, your computer stores all types of files to remember the website and load it faster next time. This cache gets flooded with files over time, slowing down your system. PC cleaning allows your PC to breathe, making it more responsive and liberating the storage space. Significantly, it helps in data management, eliminating all unnecessary data that might be misused or lead to identity theft.

→Dig Deeper: Manage your data this Data Privacy Day

Regular PC cleaning could also potentially save your device from significant damage. Unwanted programs and apps, especially those auto-starting ones, not only consume your system’s resources but also can contain malicious content impacting your PC. Regular cleaning will ensure any potential malware or problematic software is identified and removed promptly, thus adding a layer of protection.

How Does PC Cleaning Actually Work?

Let’s break down the PC cleaning process to simplify and understand it better. The process commences with uninstalling any unused apps and software. The next step involves clearing out temporary files, such as cache and cookies that accumulate over time and eat up storage space. Some PC cleaning programs also offer registry cleaning, which involves cleaning up the database that holds all the configuration settings for your PC. However, this is not always recommended.

→Dig Deeper: To Disable or Enable Cookies

Startup programs are another key area to look into. Having too many programs that start up when your computer boots can substantially slow down your system. Through PC cleaning, you can manage these programs and ensure only the necessary ones are allowed to auto-start. This will provide a noticeable improvement in your PC’s boot time and overall performance. Lastly, most PC cleaners come equipped with a file shredder that securely deletes sensitive files and ensures they can’t be recovered later. This helps in safeguarding your personal data and optimizing your PC’s performance.

A Cleaning Schedule and Careful Cleaning

Having a cleaning schedule for your PC enhances its performance over a longer time. A weekly check to scan and remove any threats or malware, monthly cleanup of temporary files, and a deep clean every six months can keep your PC in optimal condition. However, while deleting temporary files and unused applications is generally safe, it’s important to be careful when choosing files or applications to delete since deleting system files or vital applications can cause serious, potentially irreversible, damage to your PC.

It’s advisable to stick to cleaning procedures and tools you understand. Research and be sure of your actions before you delete anything you’re unsure about. Admittedly, this can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Thankfully, dedicated PC cleaning tools can simplify the task, autotomize the process, and eliminate the risk of unwittingly causing damage.

The Role of PC Cleaning Software

PC cleaning software, like McAfee’s Total Protection, simplifies the process of cleaning your PC. These programs are designed to detect and clear out unnecessary files, manage startup apps, and even clean the registry, often at the press of a button. It’s crucial, though, to choose a reliable and safe PC cleaning software as some can be excessive, doing more harm than good, or even carry malware. Reading reviews and understanding what each feature does is important before using PC cleaning software.

These cleaners usually come with customizable settings to suit your preferences. You can set automatic clean-ups at regular intervals, thus saving time and freeing you from the hassle of remembering to run the cleanup. A good PC cleaner should ideally also come with a file shredder to safely delete sensitive or personal files without leaving a trace.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your PC is an essential part of maintaining its performance. While it might not drastically increase your PC’s speed, it contributes to overall efficiency, responsiveness, and longevity. It’s important to approach PC cleaning carefully, deleting with discretion to avoid accidentally removing necessary files or applications. For those who aren’t comfortable doing it manually, reliable PC cleaning software like McAfee Total Protection can simplify the process and save time. Regular cleaning keeps your PC running smoothly, prevents potential threats, and ensures your personal and sensitive information is safe. So, if you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late to begin cleaning your PC and enjoy an optimized computing experience.