There are generally three housekeeping efforts that every computer user should perform. They include, removing unwanted and temporary files, defragmentation and scanning the hard disk.

Defragment your disk regularly

When storing files, the "Windows" saves files into any free space on the hard disk it can find. Therefore, the content of the file may be spread across different areas of the hard disk. This feature of the "Windows" saves time since, it does not have to find any particular site within the hard disk to store the information. However, after a while, this creates a fragmented disk. Accessing information on a hard disk will become a time consuming task and such disk needs to be repaired. When you defragment a disk, the information that you stored in the computer and the unused space are neatly organized in the hard disk. For defragmenting your disk, you can purchase a software or use the defragmentation program of the "Windows 95". To access the "Windows 95 defragmentation program" do the following.

Click on "Start"
Click on the "Programs"
Click on "Accessories"
Click on "System tools"
Click on the "Disk defragmenter"

Choose the most thorough defragmentation possible. The duration of the defragmentation procedure depends on the extent of the defragmentation of your hard disk. Generally, this is a time-consuming procedure. However, there is no need for you to watch this process. Simply start the procedure after you quit working for the day. It is a good idea to perform the defragmentation once a week and at least once a month depending on the use of the computer.

Scan your disk regularly

Due to some errors, the operating system may lose track of the the long names of files. If you are using a 16 bit program such as the "File manager", in a 32 bit program, parts of the long file names may be lost. In addition, the use of the hard disk gradually makes parts of the disk unsuitable for storing this. Such problems can be solved by reporting them to the operating system by scanning the hard disk. To do the scanning do the following:

Click on "Start"
Click on the "Programs"
Click on "Accessories"
Click on "System tools"
Click on the "ScanDisk"