It’s time to dust off those digital cobwebs and wipe down your hard drives because spring cleaning season is officially upon us. It’s probably not your favorite time of year, but it’s a good reminder to finally delete those old files that have been sitting on your desktop for the past year, taking up storage and slowing down your system’s performance.
Taking the time to deep clean your IT system is a rewarding practice. A well-organized digital workspace streamlines productivity. Not only are you able to quickly access necessary files, but your system literally responds faster when it’s not slowed down by duplicate files, outdated software, and an abundance of cookies. Optimize your device’s storage and keep your systems secure by getting rid of abandoned programs that could be used as a gateway into your system by hackers. Long story short, cleaning and maintaining an organized IT system pays off for you and your company in more ways than one. If you’re just getting started with spring cleaning, here’s a breakdown of how to purge your IT systems of unwanted data and optimize your device’s performance.
Back-Up Essential Data
Before you go mass deleting files, it’s a safe idea to go ahead and back up any data fundamental to your business operations now. If you’re not backing up data regularly, it’s also a good time to start. Keeping your data secure through cloud hosting or storing data off-site safeguards your information, preventing it from being lost forever if a hacker-related disaster strikes or key information is deleted from your system during cleanup.
Backing up data is a preventative solution for disaster recovery. At Exact IT, we tailor disaster recovery solutions to our clients’ needs. Don’t waste money and resources with downtime after data loss. No matter your situation, we’re here to help you explore the best option for disaster recovery with budget-conscious and scalable solutions.
Audit Your IT System
Sometimes, the hardest part of a big project is getting started. Start this one by auditing your IT system’s data and begin organizing your files. Categorize files based on relevance, alphabetization, or through your own preferred system based on your work and tech needs. Sorting through the content of your system familiarizes you with what you need and what you don’t, disposing of any unused data or temporary files along the way.
Say Goodbye to Unnecessary Data and Unused Apps
Create space on your devices by deleting unnecessary files and old applications. If your device allows, run Disc Cleanup, a helpful Windows tool that removes files that are no longer needed, such as temporary files, internet cache, and files in the Recycle Bin. This is a quick and efficient decluttering process that speeds up your IT system optimization process. If your device doesn’t have this tool, you can clean out your disc manually.
Clear Your Web Browser
Now that your files are deleted or categorized, it’s time to head to your web browser. Over the course of a year, your web browser can accumulate a significant number of cookies, cache, and other downloads you needed for one-time use. These numbers add up over time and work to slow down your browser performance, taking up unnecessary space and posing a privacy risk. Clear browsing data, cookies, and site data such as auto-saved passwords or sensitive information that could leave you vulnerable to hackers.
Update Your Systems
Updating and maintaining your systems allows them to run optimally. System updates fix errors, provide performance enhancements, and keep your systems compatible with new technology. After you’ve given your IT systems a digital deep clean, ensure all your devices and web browsers are updated to the latest version of their software.
System updates also help keep your devices secure. Updates provide modern firewalls and protections against the latest ransomware and viruses. Outdated software is more likely to have vulnerabilities and security flaws, and hackers can use an entrance into your system to hijack sensitive data. Don’t give hackers an easy in—keep your IT systems regularly updated.
Dispose of Old Hardware
Marvel at a job well done optimizing your IT environment. With the bulk of digital spring cleaning complete, the last step is to securely dispose of any old hardware that no longer has a use in your office. Technology and electronics can’t just be thrown in any trash can—and nor should they be. After wiping the hard drive clean (no lingering sensitive data or personal information remaining), you can resell or donate your old hardware. If it’s past the point of being in reusable condition, you can recycle it through specific e-waste drop-off centers or programs.
Maintain Your IT System Year-round
Exact IT is here to help you maintain your IT systems and safeguard the data within them. We can help you keep your data organized in secure locations with off-site and on-site storage and backup solutions through our cloud hosting and 0365 backups & disaster recovery services. To learn more about these services, contact Exact IT Consulting today.
