Unused apps, error logs, and user bloat are some things that may be cluttering up your computer, causing it to function at less than peak performance. We’ll show you how to remove clutter from your Windows 10 PC and get it to run smoothly again.

5 Types of PC clutter

There are five types of clutter that may be causing your Windows 10 computer to underperform.

1. Windows updates – This includes failed update downloads. While Windows will delete some of these corrupted and unusable files, others will hang around forever.
2. Registry bloat – This includes files and applications you’ve deleted in addition to every action performed in Windows, which is recorded in your computer’s registry. Redundant entries bog down your PC.
3. Error logs – These are log files kept by Windows whenever software in your system encounters errors in processing or crashes altogether. Just like with registry bloat, these log files accumulate and slow down your computer.
4. User bloat – This refers to large numbers of your own files, especially if they’re unorganized.
5. Bloatware – This refers to unwanted preinstalled software. It takes up tons of central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and disk space, as well as poses a raft of security risks.

How to remove PC clutter

To remove these five clutter types and bring back Windows 10 to optimal performance, try these easy ways. Below too are actual Windows 10 screenshots to guide you.

Run Disk Cleanup
Windows has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that removes hidden junk files. To run this tool, type “disk cleanup” in the search box on the taskbar, and select Disk Cleanup from the results. Pick the drive you want to clean, then click OK. Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of, then click OK.

Delete programs you don’t use or need

Most computers come with pre-installed programs that take up space and run in the background automatically. These commonly include free trials of random programs, games, and services that you will never use. 

Free up memory and storage space by removing these unused programs along with redundant programs that you rarely use or don’t need. To do this, type “add or remove programs” in the search box on the taskbar, and select Add or remove programs from the results. If you see a program on the list that you no longer need, click on it, then click Uninstall. 

If necessary: Refresh Windows 10

If you don’t want to spend so much effort cleaning up your Windows 10 PC because of how messy it is, you can start fresh with a clean and up-to-date Windows 10 installation. This option will remove most installed apps (e.g., Microsoft Office, antivirus software, etc.) but it will keep your personal files and some Windows settings. However, it’s still best to back up your files before refreshing. 

To do this, type “recovery” in the search box on the taskbar and select Recovery Options in the results. Under “More recovery options,” click Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows, then click Yes in the pop-up window that says “Did you mean to switch apps? Settings is trying to open Windows Security.”

This will launch the Windows Security app where you can click Get started to begin the Windows refresh process.

There are innumerable ways to make your computer perform faster and more efficiently, and our Windows experts are equipped with all the tricks of the trade. Give us a call today.

The post How to remove these 5 computer clutter types appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Bloatware is software that nobody asked for but is on your computer, taking up valuable space. These software apps come with your hardware pre-installed, and very often, it isn’t always apparent how to delete them properly.

Superfish

In mid-2014, Lenovo users noticed that something was awry with their web browsers: banner ads were breaking webpage layouts and pop-ups were making surfing unpleasant. A deep dive into the problem led to the discovery of pre-installed software called Superfish — malware in the form of an adware pusher. 

The app caused an uproar not only because of its disruptive ads, but also because it was found that Lenovo had essentially interrupted what’s known in the industry as the certificate chain — a chain of trust whereby companies that run machines that users visit as they traverse the internet provide certificates that prove they’re a legitimate party. With Superfish, Lenovo allegedly used self-signed certificates — as Lenovo is a known and trusted brand — making Superfish the root Certificate Authority (CA), meaning it can decide which encrypted communications to trust.

This was bad news for data privacy because in theory, Lenovo could have used Superfish to generate a valid encryption certificate, giving them an opportunity to abuse this trust to spy on PC owners. It also meant that malicious hackers could simply use Superfish’s encryption methods and abuse them to intercept other people’s internet traffic.

Bloatware everywhere

Microsoft has developed and deployed its fair share of bloatware as well. The Windows 10 operating system, in particular, has plenty of them, such as:

• Quicktime
• CCleaner
• uTorrent
• Shockwave Player
• Microsoft Silverlight
• Browser toolbars
• Coupon printer for Windows
• WinRAR
• Apps by the hardware manufacturer (laptop brand)

Some of these even run in the background and slow down computers without users knowing it.

While some users find value in these add-ons, many prefer to start with a leaner operating system due to storage space and processing power concerns. If they want a particular software, they prefer to download it themselves so they can have greater control over their machines and how they experience their hardware and software.

Like Superfish, other Windows 10 bloatware can also cause critical vulnerabilities. One ironic incident involved a pre-installed version of Keeper Password Manager. Instead of keeping passwords safe, it allowed malicious actors behind any website to steal passwords due to bloatware. While Windows 10 users needed to enable Keeper to store their passwords that exposed them to vulnerabilities, it makes you wonder why such a flawed password manager app was there in the first place.

How to rid your PC of bloatware

Removing inclusions you did not ask can be a hassle, but it’s actually fairly easy. Windows has been kind enough to include a robust bloatware removal tool so that you can remove all apps you don’t need. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar.
2. Go to the Device Performance & Health section.
3. Scroll down and you’ll see a section with the header “Fresh start”. Click on the additional info link at the bottom.
4. Click on Get Started and accept the user account control (UAC) prompt.
5. The Fresh start interface should pop open. Click Next.
6. The tool will present a list of Windows 10 bloatware that will be removed. Review the list and click Next.
7. Click on Start.

Bloatware not only clutters your laptops and PCs, but it can also render your business vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. Save yourself from tons of headaches down the line; learn more about protecting your computers from bloatware. Call our team of IT experts today.

The post What is bloatware, and how can you remove it? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Windows 10 users receive regular security and feature updates for the operating system. But when such patches coincide with driver updates from Microsoft’s hardware partners, Windows 10 experiences compatibility problems. Here’s how Microsoft is addressing the issue.

First, let’s distinguish between driver updates and operating system (OS) updates:

Driver updates – A driver is software that allows your computer’s OS to communicate with various hardware devices connected to your computer. Without a driver, the devices you use — display, keyboard, mouse, modem, motherboard, etc. — will not work properly. Hardware manufacturers update their drivers similarly to any standard computer program. Updates are often enhancements to accommodate new software; for example, a new video game with state-of-the-art graphics will require driver updates for your display screen.

OS updates – Windows 10 receives two kinds of regular updates:

• Security updates (every month) consist mostly of security fixes that are quickly installed.
• Feature updates (every six months) consist of upgrades to the latest Windows version with enhanced features, often requiring multiple reboots to install.

Problems occur when Windows 10 updates are incompatible with a current driver, or when driver updates are released around the same time as Windows 10 updates. In both cases, compatibility issues result in automatic non-installation of updates and startup failures.

To address this issue and improve user experience, Microsoft has changed the way it updates.

#1 Microsoft now allows its hardware partners to request upgrade blocks

Before, Microsoft put up an upgrade block when there were compatibility issues with certain drivers. But now the Redmond-based company is allowing their hardware partners like Intel, RealTek, and others, to request for upgrade blocks if they know their driver is not yet validated. This temporary Windows Update block period is between 30 and 60 days. Once the driver has been updated, then the Windows Update block will be removed.

#2 Microsoft bans new driver releases during holidays and weekends

To further improve driver update experiences, Microsoft has banned new driver releases during US public holidays and weekends. This is because Microsoft employees are not available to address compatibility issues that crop up after an update. And Microsoft aims to make driver release dates more predictable in the future.

Do you encounter problems with your Windows 10 updates? If you constantly find it difficult to accomplish the updates for Windows 10 or for your drivers, then you should talk to our Windows experts — they’ll be more than happy to assist you. Call or email us right now.

The post Changes in Windows 10 update process appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..