No matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things every one of us has to deal with when using a computer, but we don't always deal with them in the most efficient ways. Here are 10 things that everyone can—and should—learn to keep their computer fast, safe, and easy to use.
Here at Lifehacker, we take a lot of the simpler stuff for granted: how to avoid viruses, use keyboard shortcuts, or even just keep your data backed up. Even if you've mastered all of these tricks (and there's a good chance you haven't), you may want to send this along to some of your less computer-savvy friends. After all, the more they know how to do, the less they'll call you for help.
10. Set Up a Dead Simple Backup System
We all know we
should back up our computers, but it's always one of those things that you'll set up "one day". Setting up a backup only takes minutes to do, though, so you can do it
right know and forget about it until you need it—and when you do need it, you'll be glad you set it up. If you're just backing up to an external drive, you can just use the simple tools built in to your computer,
like Windows Backup or Apple's Time Machine. However, that'll only keep you safe if your computer fails. If you lose your home in a fire, get all your gear stolen, or experience any other kind of disaster (God forbid), you'll have lost all those important documents, family photos, and other files forever. So, we recommend using a service like
CrashPlan to
back up your computer online. That way, it can back up no matter where you are, and that data will be safe no matter what happens to your hardware.
9. Do Everything Faster with Shortcuts
The great thing about computers is that they can do a lot of things much faster than a human. Say you're looking for a specific word on a web page. Instead of scanning it yourself, all you need to do is press Ctrl+F and type the word you're looking for. There are mountains of shortcut like this, from pressing Ctrl+S to instantly save the file you're working on, Ctrl+P to print it out, or Ctrl+T to open a new tab in your web browser. It may seem like more trouble than its worth at first, but after you use a shortcut one or two times, you'll wonder why you ever did anything with the mouse. Check out our list of
six shortcuts everyone should know, as well as our
shortcut of the day series for even more tricks.
8. Protect Yourself From Viruses
Windows users have long known the pain of viruses and other malware, but the good news is it's pretty easy to avoid. First, we recommend
learning the difference between viruses, trojans, and other kinds of attacks, as well as
the myths surrounding them. Then,
install some good antivirus software to protect yourself (
Microsoft Security Essentials is our favorite—you won't even know it's there). You can even
get antivirus for your Android phone, if you so choose. But in the end, the best way to avoid viruses is to use common sense: don't open links that look suspicious, don't install programs from untrusted sources, and if a window pops up saying your computer's infected, make sure it's actually your antivirus software saying that and not a fake web page.
7. Set Up Your Network (and Fix Wi-Fi Problems)
Understanding routers, modems, and the other things that make up your network can seem daunting, but there are a few basics that can fix most problems that come your way. Does your router constantly need resetting?
Make sure it isn't overheating or clogged with traffic. Is your Wi-Fi speed and range less than ideal?
Use one of these tricks to give it a boost. If you experience more serious problems, you can probably fix them yourself too. Check out our
complete guide to knowing your network for more info—it's got everything you need to know, from buying a router to setting up your network and more.
6. Keep Your Batteries Lasting as Long as Possible
Running out of battery on your phone or laptop can be pretty frustrating, but luckily, you can do a lot of things to keep it lasting longer. Your laptop has a lot of
built-in power settings that can come in really handy, and there are
a few tricks on both Android and the iPhone that will eke some extra time out of your battery. And, if you want your battery to retain that life, make sure you
know how often to charge it to keep it alive in the years ahead.
5. Access Your Home Computer From Anywhere
Ever go out with your laptop and realize you left something important on your computer at home? One way to solve this problem is to use a service like
Dropbox, so your files are with you everywhere you go. However, it's also handy to know how to
use your home computer from anywhere. With a simple app, you can log into your home computer from another machine and use it as if you were sitting right at your desk—whether you just need to grab a quick file or access a program you don't have elsewhere.
4. Keep Your Computer in Tip Top Shape with Regular Maintenance
Computer maintenance has gotten really confusing over the years. Between defragging, cleaning up temporary files, and other tasks, it's almost like trying to maintain a car. Luckily, it's gotten a
lot easier in recent years: you only really need to do one or two things to keep your computer running fast and smooth. Check out our
guides to Windows maintenance and
Mac maintenance for more info and keep your PC running like new. And if your phone's feeling a little sluggish, we have
guides for iOS and Android, too.
3. Instantly Share a File Between Two Computers
So you've got some files you want to give to your friend sitting next to you, but your flash drive has mysteriously gone missing. Well guess what? You don't need it! It's very easy to transfer a file between two computers over your wireless (or wired) network, whether it's between you and a friend or between multiple computers you own.
Here are our favorite ways to share files with a nearby computer, but if you want to share them between multiple computers in your house,
Windows 7's Homegroup feature is a great option. Of course, this is where the aforementioned
Dropboxapp can come in handy, too. And if you're sharing larger files over the internet, there are
great ways to do that too.
2. Easily Find Your Lost or Stolen Gadgets
You never know when you might misplace your phone, laptop, or other tech, so set up some safeguards now. iPhones have an easy-to-use feature called
Find My iPhone that'll help you track it if it goes missing, but we're big fans of an app called Prey. With it, you can
track nearly any laptop or smartphone that's gone missing, and even get a photo of who might be using it. If you're missing a camera, the
CameraTrace service can help you find it, too. Of course, the best solution is making sure it doesn't get stolen in the first place, and making sure all your personal data is locked down. Which brings us to our last tip...
1. Keep Your Personal Information Safe and Secure
Unfortunately, the internet isn't always a safe place, which means everyone needs to make sure they're keeping their personal information safe. Make sure you use strong passwords, remove personal information from photos and other files, and never use open public Wi-Fi networks without protection. Keeping your personal information safe is easier than it sounds, and if you aren't sure what to do, check out our checklist for staying safe online. You'd be surprised how unsafe you were being before.
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