by Crawford Computer Consulting
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Routine Maintenance on Windows Computers

I believe in running periodic preventive maintenance on them. Here is a basic check-list for the maintenance of these computers:

  1. Check OS Drive space.
  2. Check Network type (Private, Public, Domain) & sharing.
  3. Clean up temporary disk files by running cleanmgr.exe (remove System Files as well).
  4. Delete the temporary files in %SYSTEMROOT%\TEMP and %TEMP%.
  5. Check System Restore: sysdm.cpl, System Protection; and rstrui.exe (Previous Versions does not work in Home Edition).
  6. Review Programs and Features: appwiz.cpl.
  7. Review the contents of the Startup Groups:
    %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
  8. Check for browser updates, rogue plugins, toolbars, search-providers.
  9. Review registry entries in the following registry keys, regedit.exe: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  10. Remove Apple Quicktime if it’s still installed, and
  11. Check for and update unique applications on the computer, if any.
  12. Check for Office 365 updates.
  13. Check Antivirus, update if necessary, review quarantine.
  14. Check for old or unauthorized user accounts.
  15. Check E-mail store size, if applicable.
  16. Check that any Outlook .pst files are backed up, usually here: %homepath%\appdata\local\microsoft\outlook
  17. Watch for any indication of malware, adware, virus, etc. Scan and remove accordingly.
  18. Check Firewall status
  19. Check RAM, CPU, Disk and Processes in taskmgr.exe.
  20. Check the backup method: Is it working? Is it backing up everything it should?
  21. Check for updated hardware drivers, BIOS updates.
  22. Check System notifications and privacy settings notifications
  23. Start settings (Under Personalization): Turn off “Show recommendations for tips …”
  24. Lock screen settings (Under Personalization), Personalize your lock screen: Set to Picture and uncheck “Get fun facts
  25. Run Windows Updates (Under Advanced Options, Enable “Receive updates for other Microsoft products”)
  26. Check remote access software, if any.
  27. Turn off Remote Desktop unless it is in use.
  28. Check Bitlocker and either turn if off or get the recovery key.
  29. Turn off ipv6 unless you use it.
  30. Reboot.