We’ve all been there. You sit down on a Monday morning with a fresh coffee, ready to tackle your to-do list, only to be met with a spinning wheel of death or a “low disk space” warning.

By the time February rolls around, the excitement of those New Year’s resolutions has usually cooled, and we start looking toward Spring. We think about decluttering our offices and filing away paperwork, but we often forget the most important workspace of all: our computers.

A cluttered computer isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a drain on your business’s productivity. Here is our guide to giving your tech a much-needed refresh.

Over the last year, did you sign up for a trial software that you never ended up using? Or perhaps you have three different PDF editors installed? These are what we call “Zombie Apps.” They sit in the background, eating up your system’s memory (RAM) and—more importantly—potentially costing you money in unused subscriptions.

Take ten minutes to look through your “Apps & Features” list. If you haven’t opened it since last summer, it’s probably time to hit uninstall.

Your computer’s desktop is like a physical desk. If it’s covered in loose papers (or in this case, random screenshots and “Doc1.docx” files), it’s harder to find what you need. Beyond the clutter, having hundreds of icons on your desktop can actually slow down your computer’s startup time.

Move your files into a structured cloud environment like Microsoft SharePoint or Google Drive. Not only does this keep your screen clean, but it also ensures your work is backed up and accessible to your team, even if your laptop takes a tumble.

3. Dust: The Silent Killer

It sounds simple, but physical cleanliness matters. Most computers and servers use fans to stay cool. Over time, these fans act like little vacuum cleaners, sucking in dust from the office floor. When dust builds up, your computer works harder, runs hotter, and eventually slows down to protect itself from overheating.

Use a can of compressed air to gently clear out the vents on your laptop or PC. It’s a five-minute job that can add years to your hardware’s lifespan.

4. Review Your “Auto-Starts”

Does your computer take ten minutes to be “usable” after you turn it on? This is usually because too many programs are trying to start at the exact same time. From Spotify to chat apps you rarely use, these “auto-starters” are the biggest cause of morning frustration.

At WebbyTech, we believe your technology should work for you, not against you. Is your PC feeling a bit sluggish this February?

Don’t wait for the “Blue Screen of Death” to take action. Let’s get your systems running at peak performance so you can focus on what you do best—growing your business.

Give the WebbyTech team a call on 01702 900400 or contact us directly for a no obligations conversation.