How to Secure Your Gmail Account

Can you imagine how much data someone could steal if they hacked into your Gmail account? Better that you don’t find out. Instead of leaving your emails vulnerable, take these quick and easy steps to secure your account right now.

1. Access your security settings. Log into Gmail, click your profile photo at the top right of the screen, and select My Account to get to your dashboard. Under Sign-In & Security, click on Signing in to Google.

2. Set a new strong password. You absolutely do NOT want a weak password for your Gmail account. Check out these common password mistakes and make sure you avoid all of them. Instead,create an unbreakable password.

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To do this, under Password & Sign-In Method, click Password. Enter your current password, then enter your new password, and confirm.

3. Enable two-step verification. Sometimes called two-factor authentication, two-step verification just means that you’ll need a password AND another identifier to access your account. In this case, your physical smartphone.

To set it up, under Password & Sign-In Method, click 2-Step Verification. When prompted, enter your mobile phone number. You’ll receive a text message with a code — enter it when prompted.

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From now on, whenever you log into your account, you’ll receive a code from Gmail on your phone. That way if someone tries to hack into your account, they won’t be able to since they don’t have your phone. That’s it! Done.

If you really want to be secure, however, you may want to consider migrating away from Gmail and using a safer alternative email service like ProtonMail or GMX. But for most people, these three steps should be enough.

How to Free Up Disk Space in Windows 10

It’s far too easy to run out of disk space. If you have countless high-resolution photos, hundreds of HD-quality movies, and tens of thousands of songs, you can find yourself hitting your memory limit in no time.

Whatever the reason, if you hit your limit, you’ll want to know how to free up space without deleting your personal media. Here are some tips for  freeing up disk space on Windows 10.

Delete Old Versions of Windows

Windows automatically saves data from older versions of Windows after you upgrade. This lets you roll back to previous versions  if needed, however, the old data takes up a lot of space.

Even if you already knew this, you might not have realized that installing the latest Anniversary Update will also leave behind such files. Luckily, deleting them is easy.

Open the Settings app, navigate to System > Storage, and click on your primary drive. You will be presented with a list of different categories along with how much space they’re using. Scroll down until you find Temporary Files, then click on it.

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Lastly, mark the checkbox next to Previous Versions of  Windows and hit Remove Files.

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(Note: You can still use the old Disk Clean-up method, if you prefer).

Clear the Update Cache

Another way of removing storage space that’s being unnecessarily hogged by Windows is to delete the update cache.

The update cache consists of copies of the update installation files. The operating system uses them if you’re ever forced to reapply an update; it saves downloading them again. Although it’s a good idea, they take up a lot of space. Unless you either have a very slow Internet connection or you’re seriously limited with data caps by your ISP, you can safely remove them.

Sadly, the process is not particularly straightforward.

The first step is stopping the Windows Update service. Search for Services, right-click on the top result, and open it as an administrator.

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Next, scroll down the list of entries until you find Windows Update. Right-click on it and choose Stop.

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Now you’ll need to delete the files. Press Windows key + R to open the run box, then type C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ and hit Enter.

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You can delete everything within the Downloads folder.

Lastly, you’ll need to head back to services and re-enable Windows Update.

(Note: This is also an excellent way to remove corrupted update files.)

Delete Hibernation Data

Hibernate and Sleep are two ways of conserving power when you’re not using your Windowsmachine.

There is one key difference – Sleep mode saves all your open documents and running applications to your device’s RAM, whereas Hibernate saves it all to the hard disk. Sleep is akin to putting atelevision on standby, whereas Hibernate lets your computer shut down completely.

If you don’t use hibernate mode, you can disable it. This will automatically delete any associated saved data from previous hibernations.

(Clearly, you should not do this if you find yourself making regular use of the feature).

To disable it, search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Open as Administrator.

Type powercfg.exe -h off and press Enter. That’s it, you won’t see a notification or confirmation.

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If you change your mind, repeat the above steps, but type powercfg.exe -h on instead.

Delete Delivery Optimization Files

Windows 10 introduced a new update feature – called “Delivery Optimization” – that allows your computer to pull updates from other machines nearby. The theory is that updates will be delivered faster, but in practice, a lot of people have complained about higher bandwidth usage and increased memory usage.

It’s easy to delete the files, but first you’ll need to disable the feature – otherwise the files will just accumulate again.

Head to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Options > Choose How Updates Are Delivered. Once there, make sure the slider is set to the Off position.

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Now search for Disk Clean-up and open the app. It’ll spend a few seconds scanning your device before presenting you with a list of files that can be removed. Scroll down until you find the entry called Delivery Optimization Files. Click in the checkbox, then hit OKWindows will take care of the rest.

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Delete the OEM Recovery Partition

Most computers come with an OEM recovery partition. Thanks to Windows 10, they are largely redundant and can be safely removed. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is to create a recovery drive. Typically, this means using a USB stick.

Windows comes with a handy tool for creating a drive; you can find it by searching for Create aRecovery Drive from the Taskbar.

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Follow the on-screen instructions and enter a USB stick when prompted. Once the process is finished, you’ll see the option to delete the recovery partition from your PC on the final screen. Click the link and choose Delete to proceed.

Delete the Windows 10 Recovery Partition

Warning: Only proceed with this option if you are desperate because you will lose the ability to use any of Windows 10’s recovery options and you will not be able to boot into the recovery environment to troubleshoot other aspects of the operating system.

It’s highly advisable to make complete backups of your data and create a USB recovery drive before continuing.

Firstly, open Command Prompt as an administrator. Type Diskpart and press Enter, then type List disk and press Enter again.

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Next, type Select disk X (replace the X with the number of the disk where your recovery partition is saved). Then type List volume.

You’ll be shown a list of all the volumes on the disk, including your recovery partition. Type Select volume X (replace X with the correct number, on my machine, it’s Volume 2).select-volume-640x291

Lastly, type Delete volume and hit Enter.

 

How to Stop Your Computer From Running Slow

We’re a few months into the year and you’re starting to enjoy that new computer. Your new computer glides like a dream, but in a few months it’s going to slow down; after all, there are only three things certain in life: death, taxes, and sluggish computers after hours of Internet browsing.

With all the new software, pictures, music, videos, and games you’re going to tack on to that computer this year, now is the best time to pick up a few habits that will keep your computer as fast as the day you bought it, with tools already present on your PC!

Keep Temporary Files Temporary

Although the word of Windows caches is extensive and mysterious, there is one Windows file cache which reigns over them all as the largest nuisance — the local temp cache. This cache stores files downloaded through your web browser when loading websites.

You can delete your Windows temp cache using the Disk Cleanup: go to Start and type Disk Cleanup. For the Windows XP user, access this program under Start > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.

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Disk Cleanup will analyze the storage of your system drive (often named C:/ by default) and prompt you to delete some files. Click on the Temporary Internet Files selection and your Disk Cleanup tool will delete your temp files automatically. For the hands on Windows aficionado, you may remove these temp files manually: go to Start and type %temp%. For Windows XP users, the same file can be found by pressing Windows key + R to launch the Run menu, type %temp% and hit Enter.

Doing this once a month will reduce computer sluggishness brought on by continual Internet use; reduce the risk of insidious computer viruses nesting themselves within your local machine, and instill basic knowledge concerning what cleaning software does regularly.

 Fragmentation Is Not Your Friend

This advice applies to hard drives only and is particularly helpful to people who save, edit, and store different file types onto their computers often. Your Windows machine does not simply write over your original file when saving a document (e.g. a Word or Excel document). The file is instead saved onto a different part of your drive. After extended use, these chunks of information become scattered, or fragmented, which can slow down the computer’s ability to open files quickly.

At first sight of sluggishness, Disk Defragmenter programs (otherwise known inWindows 10 as the Defragment and Optimize Drives application) become essential. Although you can choose from many third party defragmenters to sort out your hard drive, the simplest option is already present on your Windows computer.

To access the tool, go to Start and type Disk Defragmenter. In Windows XP you’ll find it under Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

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The window will display disk drives located on your computer and will automatically choose the main drive present (often named C:/ by default). You can analyze the drive, which will display the percentage of fragmentation present on your  hard drive, or optimize right away to begin the process.

Defragmenting a hard drive is resource- and time-intensive, so it is advised that you begin the process when your computer is in a relatively low state of use. After optimization has finished, which may take up to an hour depending on the size of your hard drive and your computer’s processing power, restart your computer. Do this monthly and you will find a noticeable difference in speed when opening and accessing files, along with gaming and editing applications.

CAUTION: If you have a solid state drive (SSD), Disk Defragmenter will do more harm than good. The easiest way to check whether you are using a SSD or a HDD is through Windows 10’s Optimize Drives application (see screenshot above), which lists your disk type under the Media type menu.

For other Windows versions, you can find this information under Start > Program > Accessories > System Tools > System Information > + Components > + Storage > Disks. Do not mistake a Standard Disk Drive for a Solid State Drive; if your drive is listed as a Disk drive, you are using a HDD. If so, disk defragment away.

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Adjust Your GUI

This is by far the easiest and most productive method to speed up your computer — adjusting your GUI (graphical user interface) for best performance.

To access these settings in  Windows XP, go to Start, right-click My Computer, select Properties > Advanced Tab > Performance. In Windows 10 open the File Explorer, right click This PC and go to  Properties > Advanced System Settings > Advanced Tab > Performance > OK.

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Out of the three radio buttons, choose the button labeled Best Performance > OK. By default, the Visual Effects option in Windows is set to Best Appearance, so your new operating system has that bright, fresh out the box look. Unfortunately, it does so at the cost of your computer’s performance

This is the first tweak I use when I receive a new  Windows computer or set up a virtual Windows image. It’s simple, one time only, and a sure way to minimize background processing on your computer.

Change Up Your Startup

Recently downloaded software can slither its way into your startup programs, drastically reducing the wake time of your Windows computer. Under Startup, you can find a list of services which initiate when you first turn on your device. Some of these programs are necessary computer functions, while others are unnecessary services which slow down your computer’s wake time.

To open the startup list in Windows 10, right click the Taskbar, select Task Manager, and switch to the Startup tab. In Windows XP press Windows key + R to launch the Run menu, type msconfig, and click OK. This command opens the System Configuration Tools panel. Click on the Startup tab and you’ll be free to configure your startup as you see fit.

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To ease the process, click the Status listing to order programs by their enabled or disabled status. Check whether any given program is a necessary Windows program or some pesky annoyance (or worse yet, a Trojan virus or spyware) by accessing an online startup registry to gauge the program’s necessity.

Although adjusting startup programs is a careful procedure, checking the startup list once a month can mean the difference between seconds or minutes of waiting for your computer to boot.

 Defend Your Windows with Windows Defender

While there are a slew of antivirus options you can choose from, the most trusted option has long been Windows Defender. Because of its simplicity, low processing usage, and constantly updated virus listing, Windows Defender is the premiere choice for users that want an effective and no fill anti-virus software.

If you are using Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, andWindows 10, Windows Defender is already installed onto your computer. For older Windows versions, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials, but we recommend a third-party antivirus software.

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Install it, run it, and choose between the Quick or Full Scan option to scan your computer. For full time protection, click on the Settings tab and enable the option to keep Windows Defender running in the background. A full scan once a month will keep your  Windows computer free of viruses and other malware lurking in the shadows, which is necessary for an optimal Windows performance.

Side Note — Please don’t.

If you’re like me, you once tried every trick in the book to run that new World of Warcraft expansion on 1 GB of RAM. Allow me to impart some wisdom on where exactly to limit your desperate search.

  • DO NOT delete any files located in your System or System32 folder, unless you are sure of what you’re doing.
  • DO NOT rely on system optimization software to increase the performance of your computer, when you can achieve the same speed through simple tweaking options.
  • DO NOT expect software tweaks to match the speed gained by  upgrading your hardware.
  • DO NOT rely on one time optimizations to keep your computer in optimal conditions. Your computer requires continual upkeep for optimal performance.
  • DO NOT begin adjusting your BIOS settings or overclocking your computers hardware, unless you are well aware of what setting you are changing. Although there are plenty of lists online which promise unreal computer speeds, none are as effective as relying on your own computer knowledge.