How To: Keep your Computer Updated

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Decorative Logo, cartoon characters repairing a computer

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Disk CleanupClear Browser Data      Google Chrome      Mozilla Firefox      SafariInstall AntivirusUpdate Software      Windows      MacRemove Unused Programs     Windows     Mac


Disk Cleanup


Note: Be sure to have all your important files backed up before starting this process. This process could take some time, depending on the number of files.

 

Go to the Start button and search for Disk Cleanup.

Star button image with the search of disk cleanup

Select Clean up System Files.

Disk Cleanup Dialog Box

When this dialog box appears.

Check all Boxes.

Click "OK."

Diskclean up image step 2

 

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

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Clear Browser Data


Google Chrome


 Launch Google Chrome.

Google chrome icon

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 the Basic tab. 
  2. Make sure the Time Range is set to All Time.
  3. Leave all the boxes checked.
  4. Then click Clear Data.

Chrome Clear Browser Data Dialog Box

 

Another thorough option to remove cache and cookies is to select "Advanced" tab and check each individual box. 

You may exclude passwords for most troubleshooting.

 

 

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.

Image with option one to select the 3 dots and option 2 to select settings

 

Select Reset settings.

Click the Restore settings to their original defaults button.

Restore settings on chrome location

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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Mozilla Firefox


Launch Firefox

Mozilla firefox icon

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

Safari icon

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

Safari History menu with clear history selected

 Select All History from the drop-down menu.

All history from the drop-down menu

Next, press the Clear History button.


 

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Install Antivirus


Note: Be sure to have all your important files backed up before starting this process. This process could take some time, depending on the number of files.

 

Windows

  1. Uninstall old/expired antivirus programs.

  2. The following are suggested Antivirus/Malware Remover:

Mac

  1. Uninstall old/expired antivirus programs

  2. Download a Malware Remover; we suggest Malwarebytes

  3. Malwarebytes installation file will download automatically

  4. Open and follow the onscreen installation instructions.

 

Windows Security

  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.

Windows Defenders Menus


 

 

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Update Software


Windows


Go to the Start button and navigate to Settings.

Start and settings icon on windows

Go to Update & Security.

Update and security icon 

Then click on Windows Update.

Update and security menu with Windows update link outlined

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.

Windows update screen

 

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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


Note: Only one application can be uninstalled at a time. You will need to repeat this process for each app you wish to uninstall.

 

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.

Image selecting the app to uninstall

On the small window that will appear, click  Uninstall again

Image with uninstall button outlined

 

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Mac OSX


Go to Finder.

Application via 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.

Download windows on the left sidebar

Delete any disk image or package files.

Delete any other malware or suspicious files.

Click the Trash can icon.

Trash can icon

In the top bar: 

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

Image with option 1 to select the gear icon and option 2 to select the trash button

 

 

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Details

Details

Article ID: 53090
Created
Tue 5/1/18 4:38 PM
Modified
Wed 7/24/24 12:17 PM

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