As a new computer owner, you might feel like you are not getting that much out of your device. Or you might not feel confident enough about your knowledge if something happens to the computer.
It is natural to feel this way because you are unfamiliar with technology. However, if you are willing to take a bit of time and learn about some basics proactively, it could change your mindset.
Below, you will find a few valuable things about using computers. Treat the information as a guide to improve your basics related to computers.
Learn to Use Search Engines
Let’s start with search engines. Google is usually the go-to option as it is the most popular search engine in the world. Not to mention that most internet browsers have Google set as the default option.
If you have a question, your first instinct is to google it. And the odds are that you will find a plethora of different sources that provide an answer. Some will appear in the form of articles or comments, and some will link to a video with explanations.
In case you cannot find an answer, try a different search engine. Bing and DuckDuckGo are alternatives to Google.
Know How to Reinstall the OS
Reinstalling the operating system is tricky, but it is still one of those things that more computer owners ought to know.
Treat OS reinstallation as a way to give your computer a clean slate. If there are issues with the performance, trying separate methods to improve it might not cut it. On the other hand, wiping the data and reinstalling the operating system makes a significant difference.
The process is tricky and takes time, but you should still follow detailed guides and learn the intricacies so that you know what to do yourself and do not have to rely on others.
Maintain the Device in Good Condition
If you own a brand new computer model, you should not be worried about its performance. However, it is worth noting that some people fail to maintain the device in good condition, and they later become surprised when they see that the computer feels sluggish.
From cleaning the dust inside and freeing up enough drive space to having a clutter-free desktop and preventing malware attacks, you need to be at the top of your game if you want to have a properly functioning computer.
It takes small things, but you still need to know how to do them. Sure, one might not feel the effect of poor maintenance if they are not using resource-heavy processes on a computer.
But even then, trying to surf the net could be problematic, and there is no need to mention what playing video games or using high-end work software would feel like on a poorly optimized computer.
If the situation snowballs out of control too much, you will be left with no option but to seek professional help from a computer repair shop.
Memorize Keyboard Shortcuts
Early on, when you are using a computer, it is common to rely on a mouse more than a keyboard. Even typing is slow, but that improves over time with practice.
Another thing that you can work on to get better at is keyboard shortcuts. If you want to be more productive and not waste as much time with right-clicks on your mouse to copy and paste files, for instance, then take a look at some of the most frequently used keyboard shortcuts.
Of course, it is worth noting that keyboard shortcuts are different depending on the operating system, but learning the basic ones and moving forward should not be a problem regardless of your computer’s OS.
Back Up Files
Data backups are tricky because they take a while, especially if you are backing up data for the first time.
Having said that, it is still one of the most important things you need to do as a computer user. There are no guarantees that the device’s drive will last for as much as you need it to. Random hardware breakdowns occur when you least expect them, and they lead to data loss.
Natural disasters, someone deleting a file accidentally, and even cybersecurity threats are also known as the reasons why you might lose data.
To create a data backup, you have two options. The first is to get an external hard drive and transfer files there for safekeeping.
The second option is to take a more digital approach and get yourself a cloud storage account. Services like Dropbox and iCloud offer a few GB of space for free, but it is unlikely that a few gigabytes will be enough to back up computer data.
You will need to pay a yearly or monthly fee and gain access to additional storage, which should suffice.