#Computer a mess? Your 5-step quick plan to clean it up

Digital junk piles up too quickly. Look no further than your phone and all those blurry photos and old screenshots in your gallery. What you don’t see are the invasive tracking cookies saved in your smartphone. 

Clutter on your computer can be even tougher to wrangle. Start with your Recycle Bin on a PC or Trash Can on a Mac. You need to manually empty that every so often.

Cleaning up your computer doesn’t take a ton of time. But you have to do it right, smart way. I can help. 

1. Get sensitive files off your desktop 

How many documents are stored on your computer that you really wouldn’t want someone else to get their hands on? I know people who have an Excel spreadsheet loaded with their passwords stored in the open on the desktop. 

Maybe you keep financial records nicely organized or have a folder with all your essential medical documents. Beyond the privacy risk, think about what a pain it would be when your computer finally bites the dust. You don’t want to end up in a pinch because you never saved those files someplace safer. 

My recommendation: Back up anything you don’t want to lose to the cloud. Whatever option you go with, adhere to what tech pros call the 3-2-1 rule. Keep three copies of your important files: two on different storage media and one preserved in an off-site location. (Yes, the cloud counts.) 

If you do insist on saving private documents locally, at least give a snoop a more challenging time by naming the folder something off base like “Vacation Photos.” Be sure your computer automatically locks when you’re away and requires a password on startup, too. 

2. Remove programs you don’t need or use anymore 

Programs take up a decent amount of space, so regularly clear out anything you’re not using.  

Beyond that, outdated apps could put you at risk. By keeping old programs on your computer, you’re potentially leaving a door wide open for cybercriminals to slip in. 

Here’s how to find space-consuming apps and uninstall them. 

On a Windows PC: 

• Click the Start button and look for the app or program. Press and hold (or right-click) the app and select Uninstall.

On a Mac: 

• In the top left of your screen, click the Apple icon, then click About This Mac.
• Select the Storage option in the middle of the pop-up box.
• On the right-hand side, select Manage. You’ll see everything taking up space — and how much space it’s consuming. You can also review Apple’s recommendation for making space.
• On the right, click Applications. Click on a program you no longer want and select Delete in the bottom right-hand corner, then confirm.

3. Stay up to date 

The latest version of whatever operating system you use is the safest. Updates, even minor ones, patch major security issues and vulnerabilities. 

One caveat: When a brand new version of an operating system rolls out, like Windows 11, it can take some time to work out the kinks. Unless you are comfortable troubleshooting new issues and rolling back to a previous version if necessary, wait a bit longer to update. 

To update Windows: 

• Click the Start button > Settings (the gear icon).
• Select Update & Security > Windows Update.
• If an update is available, select Download & install.

To update a Mac: 

• Click the Apple icon > System Preferences.
• Select Software Update to see if there are any available updates.
• Then, click the Restart Now button.

4. Peek at what’s running in the background 

Checking out your task manager or activity monitor is an excellent way to see if anything strange is happening in the background. Sudden spikes are a bad sign. If you see that your activity has shot up even though you haven’t been doing anything intensive, that could be a sign your computer is infected with malware.  

If you do see anything strange, run an antivirus or anti-malware scan. 

Check your activity on a PC: 

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
• Choose Task Manager. Here you can see how much of your CPU and Memory are in use. Look for any processes you don’t recognize, especially those using a significant percentage of your CPU or Memory.

See your Mac’s activity: 

• Open a Finder window, then choose the Applications folder > Utilities.
• Select the Activity Monitor.

5. Don’t forget the outside 

Cleaning up the inside of your computer is important, but don’t forget the outside. Dust, dirt, and grime can get into every nook and cranny. 

Apple is now selling a $19 polishing cloth, but a good old microfiber cloth is just fine to clean your screen. Just don’t use scratchy paper towels. A dry cloth can wipe away most dirt and debris. For stubborn smudges and fingerprints, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Never pour or spray water directly onto a screen and stay away from glass cleaner too. 

I prefer pre-moistened electronics wipes. They’re so easy. I buy a big value pack from Care Touch. They’re great on smaller screens like phones, tablets, and laptops. For TVs and bigger monitors, these wipes from Weiman work like a charm. 

Pro tip: Know the signs you’ve been hacked 

A cluttered computer is one thing. One infected with malware is quite another. There are a few warning signs, like the temperature of your machine. If you put a hand on the screen or keyboard and it’s hotter than you remember, don’t ignore it. 

Malicious software can eat up storage space, overworking your processors and sending your fan into overdrive.