Tips to keep digital tasks running smoothly
Keeping your computer software fresh is not only a good thing to keep you up to date with software innovation—it also solidifies a lack of permanence with any software for you and your team. Change is an integral part of technology, and keeping up with the tides of change prepares you for the next wave. No technology exists the same forever.
Here are a few things you can do to keep all digital tasks running smoothly on your work computer.
Make Sure Browsers are Current and Updated
Internet Explorer, for instance, is one favored by many folks with outdated machines. However, Microsoft has officially switched its default browser to Edge with the release of Windows 10, leaving Internet Explorer to receive only minimum security updates until it is completely phased out.
Users of Internet Explorer may find that websites display incorrectly and the browser itself tends to be slow—both indicators that it’s time to move on. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge are all market leaders, each with their own positives and drawbacks, but they all receive regular, timely updates.
Take Stock in Programs You’re Using
Clean through your list of programs to make sure you aren’t using an excess amount of space on your PC—this will speed up your machine and could make some programs faster to launch. You may also discover your programs are outdated. Getting comfortable with a new piece of software can be daunting, but with the right transition, you do not have to lose any productivity.
Make sure your software is updated and do a quick Google search to assure that there are no better alternative programs you could be using. If you are still using the same version of photo editing software from a couple of years ago, you could be missing on key features that have become standardized.
Retire That Old Password
Using the same password for multiple uses is not only frowned upon in cybersecurity—it also makes you an easy target in data breaches. Each new breach compromises a new login. Using a browser plug-in such as LastPass keeps all your passwords secure and acts as a password generator when you need it.
Always Use an Antivirus
Companies typically keep their machines running with professional-level anti-virus and anti-malware software, but if you do not have an IT department, you can easily find trusted antivirus software online to help. Windows Defender, the built-in security system from Microsoft on Windows machines, does a great job of keeping everything secure, but make sure it’s enabled. Malwarebytes is another program that will clean your computer on demand, freeing your PC from pieces of malware picked up across the web.
These are small steps you and your team can take to make sure your computers are running smoothly and at optimal productivity, but they can make a world of difference and get you back to what you should be doing: planning events.
