Housekeeping your PC Training Session for XP and VISTA

Patricia O’Brien April 21, 2023

Housekeeping your PC

Training Session

for XP and VISTA


What are our Aims?

To know how to:

•Improve the Security of our PCs

•Improve Performance of our PCs


First things First!

Back up your important files!!!

VISTA:microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/backup.mspx

XP: microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx

WINDOWS 7:

microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/backup-and-restore.aspx


SecurityWe will learn how to:

•Set up Passwords and New Users

•Deal with Viruses and other nasties

•Install Kaspersky (virus checker and firewall)

•Update the Operating System and Office

•Install Mulberry


Set up Safe Passwords and Add New UsersWhat is a strong password? See:

microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx

To set up or change User accounts:

•Click Start/Control Panel and select User Accounts

•Then select the required option to:

•Set or change passwords or create new user accounts

NOTE: Only set Computer Administrator rights for users if

they really need them!


Which Version of Windows is running?

To find out which version of Windows is installed:

• Click on Start and choose Run (for VISTA: type run into search box)

• Type winver into the box that appears and click on OK

• A Box will appear with information about the version you are running

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Which Version of Office is running?

To find out which version of Office is installed:

• Start Word

• In Word 2003, select the Help menu and choose About Microsoft Word

• In Word 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button, click Word Options, click Resources, and choose About Microsoft Word

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Install Kaspersky (virus checker and firewall)

Download the application and get step by step

installation instructions from:

sussex.ac.uk/its/facilites/software/

And select:

Kaspersky anti-virus


Spyware

Go to:

sussex.ac.uk/its/ws/software/virusspyware

To install Malwarebytes and SpyBot

For more information go to:

ncsu.edu/resnet/spyware/spyware.php


Update the Operating System for XP

Install the latest Service Pack first, Service Packs are HUGE.

Instead of downloading XP sp3, you can borrow a CD from the

ITS enquiries desk, or download from:

microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/default.mspx

Then go to:

update.microsoft.com

And Click on to install the latest updates

Express

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Update the Operating System for VISTA

To install Vista SP2, go to:

microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/quick-start/service-packs.aspx

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Automatic updates withXP + Service Pack 2 or 3

• Click Start and then click Control Panel.

• Double-click Security Center. You should see a

window that looks like the one below:

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Automatic updates withVista + Service Pack 2

Follow the instructions at:

Windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Turn-automatic-updating-on-or-off

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Extra downloads for Office

Go to:

office.microsoft.com/ProductUpdates/


Install Mulberry

How to access your Sussex email:

sussex.ac.uk/its/email/sussexemail

Downloading the Mulberry E-Mail client

sussex.ac.uk/its/ws/mulberry/index


Time for a Break!


PerformanceWe will learn how to:

•Delete Temporary Files

•Empty the Recycle Bin

•Use Disk Clean Up

•Defragment the hard disk

•Check the hard disk for errors

•Remove Unused Software

•Manually Delete files


Use Disk Clean Up for XP

•Click Start/programs

•Select Accessories/system tools, select Disk Cleanup

•Select the tick boxes to delete the following unused files:

Temporary Internet Files

Temporary Files

Recycle bin

•Click ok

Please refer to the manual for VISTA instructions


Delete Temporary Files

To improve the performance of your computer you should

regularly remove temporary files.

To delete Temporary Internet Files:

•Start Internet Explorer

•Select the Tools menu, and choose Internet Options

•Under the General tab, click the Delete files button

Use Start to find and delete other temporary files


Emptying the Recycle Bin

•Double click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop

•Check the listed files are no longer required

•From the file menu select Empty Recycle Bin


Defragment the hard disk for XP

•Select Start/programs

•Select Accessories/system tools

•Select Disk Defragmenter

•Click Analyze

•If the hard disk requires defragmenting

•Select Defragment

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Defragment the hard disk for VISTA

By default VISTA runs the defragmenter automatically on a

schedule for you. So you should never have to deal with the

defragmenter.

To see, or modify the schedule:

•Select Start, then in the search box type Disk Defragmenter

•Double click on Disk Defragmenter in the programs window

•Click Continue

•Then follow the instructions in the window that appears

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Checking the Hard Disk for Errors

• Select My Computer (click Start/Computer for VISTA)

• Select the local disk (C:)

• On the file menu, click Properties

• Click the Tools tab

• Under Error-checking, click Check Now

• Under Check disk options, select the Scan for and

attempt recovery of bad sectors check box.


Remove Unused Programs

•Select Start/Control Panel

•Select Add/Remove Programs (VISTA: Uninstall a program)

•Select the program you wish to remove

•Click the Change/Remove button (VISTA: Uninstall button)

•If necessary, remove files or folders manually


Any questions?

Documents

Housekeeping your PC Training Session for XP and VISTA