How To: Keep your Computer Updated

Disk Cleanup

Go to the Start button and search for Disk Cleanup.

Select Clean up System Files.

When this dialog box appears.

Check all Boxes.

Click "OK."

Wait for the cleanup to finish, and it will close automatically.

Clear Browser Data

Google Chrome

 Launch Google Chrome.

On a Windows PC press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window.

On a Mac press Command + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window. 

1. Select More from the drop-down menu and choose All time.
2. Make sure the checkboxes match the ones shown in the image:
   • Browsing history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
   • Download history
   • Autofill form data
   • Site settings
   • Hosted app data
3. Click Delete from this device.

Once the dialog box disappears, please close Chrome completely to allow the cache and cookie clear to take effect.
You may then reopen Chrome and are now free to browse the web.

If the above steps do not work, do the following steps.

1. Go to the three-dot symbol in the top right corner.
2. Click the "Settings" link.

Select Reset settings.

Click the Restore settings to their original defaults button.

You will be prompted with a confirmation box:

1. Please select Reset Settings if you would like to proceed.
2. You may decide if you want to provide Chrome with your computer settings by selecting the checkbox on the bottom left of the window. 
   Note: Providing Chrome with your settings is not a required step.

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Microsoft Edge

Launch Microsoft Edge.

On a Windows PC press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window.

On a Mac press Command + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window.

1. Make sure the Time Range is set to All Time.
2. Check off only the following options – Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Site permissions.
3. Then click Clear Now.

Once the dialog box disappears, please close Edge completely to allow the cache and cookie clear to take effect.
You may then reopen Chrome and are now free to browse the web.

If the above steps do not work, do the following steps.

1. Go to the three-dot symbol in the top right corner.
2. Click the "Settings" link.

Select Reset settings.

Click the Restore settings to their default values button.

You will be prompted with a confirmation box:

1. Please select Reset if you would like to proceed.

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Mozilla Firefox

Launch Firefox

On a Windows PC press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window.

On a Mac press Command + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing history window.  

1. Next to When, select Everything.
2. Click the “Clear” or “Clear Now” button at the bottom of the dialogue box. 

Once the dialog box disappears, you are free to browse the web.

If the above does not work: Reset Firefox by following the instructions on this page: Reset Firefox Settings.

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Safari

Launch Safari

1. On the Top Menu bar, go to History.
2. Select Clear History at the bottom.

 Select All History from the drop-down menu.

Next, press the Clear History button.

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Install Antivirus

Malwarebytes

Refer to the following guides to install Malwarebytes on a Windows PC or Mac.

First, please uninstall old or expired antivirus programs:

• Windows users: please click here for instructions.
• Mac users: please click here for instructions.

Second, please refer to Malwarebytes' Support article to install Malwarebytes:

• Windows users: please follow Install Desktop Security on Windows devices.
• Mac users: please follow Install Desktop Security on macOS devices.
  • Before your first scan, please ensure to follow Allow Full Disk Access on macOS device

Third, please refer to Malwarebytes' Support article Create a Custom scan in Desktop Security to run a custom full scan:

• Windows users: when the "Configure Custom Scan" window appears and asks you to choose files to scan, you should scan your entire computer. To do this, select the checkbox for the "C:\" drive.
• Mac users: when the Finder window appears and asks you to choose a file to scan, you should scan your entire computer. To do this, press "Shift + Command + C" together on your keyboard. Then, select "Macintosh HD" and click "Open."

Windows Security

If you would like to use Microsoft Windows' built-in antivirus program, follow the steps below:

1.  Please ensure that all other antivirus programs are turned off and uninstalled before activating.

2. Search for Windows Security.

3. Click settings and ensure Real-Time Protection is selected.

4. Then click save changes.

5. Check for updates and then run Full Scan on your computer.

6. It may take some time to do a full system scan.

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Update Software

Windows

Go to the Start button and navigate to Settings.

Go to Update & Security.

Then click on Windows Update.

Click the Check for Updates button and wait for it to finish finding the latest updates.

If there are updates, click the Install Now button, or If there are no updates, close the window.

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macOS

Visit the Apple support guide  Keep your Mac up to date for step-by-step instructions. 

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Remove Unused Apps

Windows

Go to the Start button and search for Apps & Features.

1. On the list of applications, select one that you would like to uninstall. 
2. Click the Uninstall button.

On the small window that will appear, click  Uninstall again

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Mac OSX

Go to Finder.

Select unused Applications and malware/old applications. ⇒ Examples: MacKeeper, MacCleaner, and MacDefender.

Select all the applications and press Command + Delete.

Enter the admin username and password to move files to the trash.

Go to Downloads in the sidebar.

Delete any disk image or package files.

Delete any other malware or suspicious files.

Click the Trash can icon.

In the top bar: 

1. Hit the Gear icon.
2. Select the Empty Trash button.

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