Get started with computer maintenance

Organize files and folders. If you save all your files in a single folder, it can quickly become cluttered, making it hard to locate specific files when you need them. Find out how to efficiently organize and browse folders that contain many files, as well as how to search your entire computer for a particular file.

Specify how folders open. Microsoft Windows XP displays folders using a default view based on the types of files in the folder. For example, your My Pictures folder shows thumbnails by default, but you can change the view to show only file names. You can also adjust the view for all folders on your computer.

Delete files you don't need anymore. To prevent your computer from running out of storage space, it's a good idea to remove files that you no longer need. Windows XP moves deleted files to the Recycle Bin, where you can recover them or permanently erase them.

Remove programs you don't need anymore. Unused programs waste space and can slow down your computer. If you install a program and later decide that you don't need it, you should remove it to keep your computer running smoothly.

Make your computer more secure. Learn four steps to help protect your computer from Internet threats.

Stay up to date automatically. Microsoft regularly releases updates to Windows XP and other Microsoft programs to improve their performance and security. You can set up your computer to automatically receive and install these updates.

Set your clock automatically. Over time, your computer's clock can become a few minutes slow or fast. Find out how to keep your clock synchronized with a government clock.

Configure Windows XP power management. You can configure how your computer uses power to reduce your electrical usage and, on a portable computer, extend battery life.

Perform regular maintenance. If your computer seems slower than when it was new, you can follow these steps to improve its performance.

Find free downloads for Windows XP. There are thousands of free games, utilities, and productivity tools available on the Internet. Follow these guidelines to find great downloads that can help you maintain your computer.

Back up your files. Don't risk losing important files if your computer fails. Create backup copies of your files, including music and pictures, using an external hard drive so you can recover them if necessary. You can even automate the backup process so your files are protected, even if you are too busy to manually back them up. (If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you'll need to install free backup software.)

Copy your files to a CD. Whether you need to make a backup copy or transfer files that are too big for e-mail, CD-R and CD-RW provide a low-cost and easy way to store files.