Top 4 common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your computer

Cleaning your Windows PC from time to time is advisable, to keep it running smoothly and free up some space. However, it is easy to 'trap' over-cleaning, resulting in your computer malfunctioning. Here are four common mistakes you should avoid:

1. Delete the recovery partition

Top 4 common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your computer Picture 1 Top 4 common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your computer Picture 1

Computer manufacturers always install a recovery partition on computers sold, to help you easily recover your computer when something goes wrong. However, this partition 'consumes' a sizable amount of space, so you will be tempted to remove it.

To know the size of the recovery partition, right-click the Start button, or press Win + X, and then select Disk Management from the list. In the newly opened Disk Management window, you will easily see the size of the recovery partition (Recovery Partition).

Here, you can also delete the recovery partition for more storage space. However, if you do that, you won't be able to easily recover your PC with the built-in Windows tools.

You should only delete it, if you already have your own Windows recovery tool and well kept. If not, you just leave the recovery partition there, because it will be the 'lifesaver' for you when your computer fails.

2. Clean registry registry component

The Registry is a database in which the Windows operating system stores all settings for both the operating system and third-party applications. Usually, you are advised not to open the Registry yourself unless you want to do some advanced editing.

However, you can easily come across many tempting ads for Registry cleaning applications on the Internet. They claim to handle thousands of problems in the Registry and make your computer run faster. These issues include unused items, such as information left over from removed applications.

In practice, however, Registry cleaning didn't bring any significant improvements. Even fixing thousands of errors only cleans a few kilobytes on your computer and the Registry really doesn't get clogged up with unnecessary entries, to the point of degrading your computer's performance.

If you have a Registry cleaner installed, you are doing yourself more harm than improving your computer. The registry is a complicated place, so even a good Registry cleaner can confuse and debug important files. If this happens, your Windows operating system will malfunction, an application will crash, or encounter a larger problem.

In short, Registry cleaning applications don't do any good, but can wreak havoc on your computer. It is best to stay away from them.

3. Delete system files or other important files

Windows operating system has a lot of important files scattered all over the drives. These include system files, application settings, and modifications you have made. Normally, Windows will prevent you from deleting some of these files, but there is still a risk that you will accidentally delete an important file if you are too enthusiastic about cleaning.

You should avoid deleting files (if you are not sure about it) in folders such as C: Windows, C: Program Files, C: Program Files (x86), and C: System Volume Information. Windows usually hides system files by default, but they can also reveal if you choose to show hidden files in File Explorer. Therefore, you should double-check before deleting files.

4. Driver Cleanup

The drivers on the computer are very important, as they allow every component and device that you connect to the computer to work smoothly. However, with the exception of important drivers - such as chipset and graphics drivers - that need to be kept up to date, you are advised to adhere to the principle of 'if it doesn't break' with other drivers.

Since driver updates are often more cumbersome and boring than other common applications, you may be tempted to go over and install an eye-catching driver update and cleaning tool. However, these tools are often more troublesome than helpful. They often carry advertisements, install wrong drivers, or assemble drivers from illegal sources.

Even legitimate driver management tools can cause problems. There have been cases where AMD's Cleanup Utility failed to remove USB drivers for the mouse and keyboard, causing a black screen and other annoying problems.

A driver cleaning tool like Display Driver Uninstaller can be useful in certain situations, when you have no other option to get rid of a faulty driver. If nothing goes wrong, you are advised to stay away from driver tools.