A dirty computer is a slow computer

National Clean Out Your Computer Day – February 11

What+you+collect+in+the+computer+can+slow+it+down.

Photo by Marco Tjokro on Unsplash

What you collect in the computer can slow it down.

Is your computer running slow? Well, maybe it’s because you have too many things going on in your computer that you’re just not keeping track of.

National Clean Out Your Computer Day is on February 11. On this day, people take time out of their schedules to clean out their computers, not just of extra files and cookies, but also of actual dirt and dust.

Keeping too many emails, pictures, links and more can easily make your computer crash. Think about it, though. Do you really need the worksheet you used in your 5th grade class, or the coloring project that you did with that person you no longer talk to?

Cleaning out your cookies makes sense and isn’t too hard to do, but did you know that an accumulation of dust can lead to multiple hazards. It can restrict the airflow in the mechanism which can lead to excessive heat. It can also weaken connections of important parts.

Cleaning out your system with a forced air blower or a mini-vacuum can help you keep your computer working longer. Just be careful when using any equipment with which you are not already familiar.

Cleaning a computer and getting rid of the useless items in your hard drive could take 20 minutes to several hours, but if it is done at least once a year, maybe on National Clean Out Your Computer Day, it won’t take as long each time.