technology · 4 Corner IT

Increase Computer Speed & Performance in 15 Steps

We all know the frustration of waiting for a computer to load a webpage or download a file, and it can be tempting to give up and buy a new computer. However, you can take several easy steps to speed up your computer and avoid the expense of a new one. Here are 15 tips to help keep your computer running fast and smoothly.

1. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs and Applications

Over time, you may have accumulated a lot of programs that are taking up space and slowing down your computer. You can go to the Control Panel’s Programs and Features page and uninstall any programs you don’t use.

2. Delete Temporary Information to Increase Computer Speed

Temporary files and information, such as those in the recycle bin, can also slow down your computer. Delete everything in the recycle bin and delete temporary and cached files to free up space.

3. Update Often

Regularly updating your computer is essential for performance and security reasons. Go to the Start Menu and type Windows Update to check for updates.

4. Configure Startup Programs

Many programs open and run automatically when your computer starts up, which can slow down the system. You can disable or enable these programs by going to the startup tab in msconfig.

5. Remove Unnecessary Background Processes

Use CTRL-ALT-DEL to open the task manager and identify any background processes that may be using up resources unnecessarily.

6. Increase Computer Speed and Hard Drive Storage

If you’re using a traditional hard drive, freeing up, space can help improve performance. Experts recommend leaving 5-10% of free space for optimal performance.

7. Use a Solid State Drive (SSD)

SSDs can be more expensive than traditional hard drives but offer faster performance and startup times. Consider investing in an SSD if you can afford it.

8. Disable Visual Effects to Increase Computer Speed

Fancy visual effects can be fun but can also slow down your computer. Go to the System Properties menu and click Advanced System Settings to disable visual effects.

9. Run Disk Cleanup

Windows has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that can help you eliminate temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary items.

10. Defragment Your Hard Drive

Defragmenting your hard drive can help improve performance by organizing files and making them more accessible for your computer. Go to the Start Menu to access the tool and type Defragment and Optimize Drives.

11. Use Anti-Virus Software

Viruses and malware can slow down your computer and compromise security. Install and regularly update anti-virus software to keep your computer safe.

12. Disable Unused Services to Increase Computer Speed

Windows has many services that run in the background, but many may not be necessary. You can go to the Services menu and disable any you don’t need.

13. Clean Your Computer

Dust and debris can accumulate inside your computer and cause it to overheat, slowing down performance. Please clean your computer regularly to keep it running smoothly.

14. Upgrade Your RAM to Increase Computer Speed

Adding more RAM can help speed up your computer if you’re running out of memory. Could you check your computer’s specifications to see how much RAM it can handle and upgrade if necessary?

15. Reinstall Your Operating System

If all else fails, you can try reinstalling your operating system. This will wipe your computer clean and start fresh, which can help improve performance.

In conclusion, you can take several easy steps to speed up your computer and avoid the expense of a new one. By following these tips, you can keep your computer running fast and smoothly for years.

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Which Search Engine Works Best? Part 1

Search engines are something that most of us rely on each day to answer both personal and business-related questions. Almost everyone turns to Google first now, but is it really the best search engine on the internet? Today we’re going to examine why Google is so popular. Additionally, the benefits it offers over search engines such as Bing and Qwant.

How Often is Google Used?

The statistics surrounding our use of Google each day are staggering. Every second, over 99,000 Google searches are performed, which is roughly 92% of all searches on the internet. In just one day, more than 8.5 billion searches are performed. This is why the term “Google” is now used as a regular verb in our vocabulary. People have yet to adopt other search engines such as Yahoo and Bing in this way. Thus, why Google is undoubtedly the number one search engine in the world.

Why is Google So Popular?

There are many reasons for Google’s popularity. Over the years, the company has worked hard to earn the respect of its users. It searches through 30 trillion web pages to find you the best results each and every time. In less than half a second, you receive accurate and useful results. The results can help you with business or personal matters.

One of the few criticisms of Google is that the search engine focuses on search engine optimization. While this can be useful for businesses trying to appear higher in search engine results, it means you don’t necessarily receive the best results for some search terms. You can also be exposed to threats from time to time when certain tricks are used by businesses to get higher up in the results, but the competition still struggles to keep up with Google.

Customized Google Searches

Another great thing about Google when compared to other search engines is that your search results are customized based on a variety of factors. The algorithm that is used to show content in the results is based on your specific profile, including your search history and geographic location. This helps to give users the most accurate results possible, setting Google apart from other sites.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to customizable searches. A filter bubble is often an issues for users, where you are only shown content you may agree to. This can limit your worldview and results, skewing your perspective to only see one type of result. Many people find they can’t get a well-rounded opinion on a topic as a result of this, which could be disadvantageous when using Google to research certain topics.

However, regardless of these disadvantages of Google, the company still has a huge lead over its nearest competitors. While it did once have a 98% market share, the 92% it holds currently sets it apart from Bing and Yahoo by a long way.

What Are Your Thoughts on Google?

We’ll be back again soon with part two of our discussion on search engines. Here we’ll share some alternatives to Google, which may help you to overcome some of the drawbacks we shared above when searching the internet.

Magnets Are Not Your Computer’s Friend

When we invest so much money into a new computer system, we need to ensure we do all that we can to protect our hardware from damage. Magnets are one of the biggest risks to computers. No matter how advanced your device is, you need to do all you can to protect it. Let’s look at how magnets can damage a device and whether it’s something you should be concerned about.

The Truth About Magnets and Computers

If you look at magnetic fields in a scientific manner, it’s true that magnets can damage electronics. However, the length of time the hardware is exposed to the magnet and the strength of the magnetic field will have a huge impact on the damage that’s done to your microprocessor. A small fridge magnet or a case on your tablet won’t cause major damage. In fact, most small magnets you have lying around your home will likely be safe to keep around a computer.

Large, heavy-duty magnets are the things you need to be aware of. They are much stronger than your typical fridge magnet. They can even erase and destroy data, causing permanent damage to electronics.

How Much of a Risk are Magnets to Your Computer?

For anyone who works with heavy-duty magnets on a daily basis, you are likely to experience a greater risk to your devices. Most people are going to be okay in their working environment, and will find that the magnets aren’t in operation or strong enough to cause any disruption.

You might be surprised to learn that most hard drives have magnetic disks, which are used to store and write the data on them. They are stronger than your typical fridge magnet, so there is pretty much no chance of damage to the microprocessor.

Smartphones can also be disrupted by a strong magnetic field. Many phones use magnetic materials, such as iPhone cases, but the risk is reduced when you take away the magnet. Smartphones don’t use magnet discs, however, they usually have small magnets, which can temporarily disable some functions with exposure.

The Final Word

To play it safe, we recommend that you don’t use your phone or computer around strong magnets. The magnetic field might not do permanent damage, but you’ll not want to play around with this just in case it causes long-term damage to your devices.

We hope that this helps you to protect your devices in the future. Let us know if there are any other topics you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming weeks, so that we can address some of your most pressing concerns about technology. For further assistance, contact our team today, who will be happy to share how we can stop your systems and devices from becoming corrupted in the future by exposure to magnets or other security risks.

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What is the Digital Dollar, and What Benefits Does it Bring?

Digital currency has become incredibly popular over the past few years. However, many people are still unsure about this form of technology for payments. In the United States, the digitization of the US dollar is being heavily pushed. Many companies are learning about the benefits that cryptocurrency could offer them in the future. Today we will discover more about the digital dollar and how it could help your business to thrive over the upcoming years.

2022 – A Year of Great Change for Digital Currency

March 2022 saw a huge change when it comes to how we use our money in the United States. President Biden signed an executive order and added calls to action for a United States Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The H.R. 7231, or “Electronic Currency and Secure Hardware Act” bill was introduced, allowing the US Treasury to implement a digital dollar. It’s important to keep in mind that this type of electronic money, which is called ECASH, is a little different to other forms of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.

In February, Project Hamilton took place, with the Federal Reserve testing this form of digital currency. At one time, the project saw roughly 170,000 transactions per second. This shows how much effort and time the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Digital Currency Initiative put into this project. While this is certainly an exciting development for US residents, we are still a long way off it replacing our current type of money.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Digital Currencies

Digital currencies are very much in their early days still. This is why so many people are skeptical about moving away from traditional money and transactions. However, the ability to conduct these quick transactions online could see businesses receiving far quicker payments. Especially when dealing with overseas customers. United States Representative Ayanna Pressley has also stated that it would help improve wealth inclusivity within low-income and minority communities. That is something that we would all like to see happen.

That being said, the lack of privacy that the CBDC could result in is a huge concern to both individuals and business owners. It’s concerning to think that while zero-knowledge proof technology is in place, privacy isn’t guaranteed unless settings are updated for each transaction. Another big concern is the lack of strong internet connections in some parts of the country and the world. This could impact the efficiency of transactions, which is something no business owner would want to contend with.

The good news is that ECASH research is still in its early days, which is why MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab founder and research scientist, Christian Catalin, believes a plastic card could be the way forward for this type of currency. This would limit data sharing and build trust in using this system.

Naturally, criminal activity and avoiding these issues is a hot topic within the cryptocurrency world. ECASH would lack ledgers, so the government would need to give every citizen using this type of money hardware with limits for how much it could hold. Of course, this is a huge project which wouldn’t happen overnight, and may delay the process for up to five years when it comes to launching the system.

Final Thoughts on the Digital Dollar

While it’s certainly an exciting prospect for individuals in the US, ECASH is certainly a while off becoming part of our everyday lives. What are your thoughts on this topic? Would you prefer to keep your regular US Dollars or have an entirely digital portfolio? It’s certainly something for every business to think about, and a topic we’ll be following closely over the upcoming years.

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Routers and Basic Connectivity

Majority of companies utilize some sort of wireless internet connectivity, also known as Wi-Fi, during their daily business operations. When discussing the different speeds of routers and the data they can transfer, many do not fully understand what this all means. Continue reading to learn more about dual band routers and how your organization can benefit from this information.

What is a Dual Band Router and How Does it Work?

First, a dual band router connects to your modem. It can transmit two different speeds of wireless connections simultaneously, a 2.4 GHz and a 5.0 GHz. Obviously, one connection, 5.0 GHz, is faster than the other, making it optimal for specific tasks. Although it varies, typically a 2.4 GHz connection can support speeds up to 600 Mbps. While a 5.0 GHz connection is capable of supporting speeds up to 1300 Mbps. These speeds are considered the maximum. The speed you actually get will all depend on the technology you are using and the specific transfer protocols that it utilizes.

As previously mentioned, these speeds are ideal conditions and may never be fully achieved. Therefore, we recommended that you use both types of networks simultaneously. This will help you get the most out of your wireless technology.

What should run on the 2.4 GHz connection?

The 2.4 GHz connection can be beneficial as its range is larger. Also, it can go through walls and solid objects much easier. Unfortunately, since it can be used by so many devices, the connection ends up being poor. Thus, making it not the best choice when it comes to connectivity.

What should run on the 5.0 GHz connection?

Clearly, the 5.0 GHz connection is much more ideal in comparison as it has higher wireless speeds and reliability. On the other hand, this type of connection uses short range signals that are not able to penetrate through walls and objects. To make up for this, some people use signal boosters to improve the range of their connection. If you can invest in this technology, it is worth it to have enhanced reliability and stability of the internet connection.

What is the Best Connection for You?

In the majority of situations, a 5.0 GHz connection will be better than a 2.4 GHz. Although it is important to keep in mind that some devices do not give much of a choice with which connection should be utilized. Some devices are simply not compatible with others, forcing you to choose one over the other. A dual band router is commonly used in both the consumer and business environment to help alleviate this issue. Since some devices require the reliable connection of a 5.0 GHz, while others can thrive on the slower, 2.4 GHz connection. It can be helpful to keep some devices off the 5.0 GHz network to help improve the quality and speed of the overall connection.

If you notice that some devices are losing their connections more frequently than you would want, you can always make adjustments, provided that the device is compatible with both networks. A wired connection is typically preferred for situations where reliability is an absolute must.

If your business needs wireless internet connectivity installed or if you want to learn more information, you know you can contact us at 4 Corner IT for all of your needs. Call us today at 954.474.2204.

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