If you are the one considered good with the computer in the family or among those who work in any IT or technology sector, you will certainly have received requests for help, from friends, relatives, parents and grandparents, to fix the PC that does not work well.
" My computer is full of viruses ", " the PC is very slow " and "the Internet does not work " are just some of the most common requests for help that are addressed to the friend or more experienced relative by those who request assistance .
For those who are a little fed up with having to put their hands on badly-kept and disastrous computers, but cannot really avoid or avoid this support (which will certainly not be paid in any way), we see in this guide the things to do to put a PC safely, so that those who use it can no longer create mess, to limit unexpected problems to the maximum, to find the suitable configuration so that those who use it no longer need us (at least for a while), and prevent your PC may be vulnerable to malware, viruses and dangerous programs.
1) Remote control
First of all it is important that a remote control is configured on the PC of those who need help, so that you can quickly intervene from your home, without having to move.
The best program in this sense can be Teamviewer, an excellent tool for giving support to other computers remotely .
However, if you want to use a simpler and more immediate method, the best way to enter someone's PC at any time and control it in every aspect is Chrome's Remote Desktop, which does not require the installation of a new program, integrated as app in the Chrome browser and which always remains active in the background (Chrome does not need to be open).
It is configured only once on the PC to be controlled and practically never needs to be reset, thus leaving the access open without security problems, with secure connection.
At this point, practically any operation to secure the PC of the friend or relative who asks for help can be done remotely, from your home or office PC or even from a mobile phone.
An interesting though little known program for remote PC control is Ccleaner Cloud .
To use this control software it is necessary to create a basic account that offers a 14-day trial for the Pro version that allows you to control and optimize up to 10 PCs and to automate cleaning and defragmentation operations (keep in mind that with Windows anyway 8 and 10 the defragmentation is already automatic).
After 14 days the account becomes a Free type which allows you to manage a maximum of 3 computers.
On the Ccleaner Cloud site, from the initial control panel, you can add the computers on which you want to use Ccleaner Cloud.
On each PC on which you want to add it is necessary to install a small program that acts as a connector for the account.
For each computer it is possible to view hardware details, the task manager, available memory, installed programs (which can always be uninstalled via the website), those that start automatically, active processes and Windows updates.
You can then do, via the web, the cleaning of obsolete files, the cleaning of the Windows registry, the management of recovery points and the defragmentation of disks.
In fact, all PC optimization and maintenance tools can be used.
Finally, in Windows 10 there is a PC remote assistance app that works very well and allows people who ask for support and assistance to enter the PC, without the need to install and configure any external software.
It therefore becomes an immediate and handy solution that does not require you to be present in front of the PC to be controlled, not even the first time.
1) Install system updates (and make sure automatic updates are active)
This may be the longest operation to do, but since you can leave it in the background while doing other things, it is also the first thing to do.
Installing all updates is important to fix system bugs and, most importantly, to cover security holes through patches provided by Microsoft for Windows and Apple on Mac.
On a Windows PC, run Windows Update (from Settings> Update and Security in Windows 10, from the Control Panel in Windows 7) to install all the updates found by the scan and then make sure that the Update service is automatic.
Remember that if you are asked to restart your computer after installing a series of updates, you have to repeat the search for Windows Update until it says there is nothing else to install.
In Windows 10 system updates are always automatic, while in Windows 7 it may not be so.
In the guide to resolve Windows Update errors if the system does not update, all the instructions to make sure updates are automatic always.
2) Install (or verify that there are) the antivirus and an Anti-Malware protection program
Antivirus is the basis of a computer's security and should already be present on all Windows PCs.
On a Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 PC, there is no need to install an external program, as long as the internal built-in antivirus Windows Defender is active and working, which works well and remains invisible until a problem is detected.
In Windows 7 there is no antivirus, so you need to install one of the free antivirus that update automatically.
I would avoid buying a paid antivirus for the PC of a poor person, because then you should remember to renew the license every year and there may be problems.
In addition to the antivirus that remains running at all times, it is also important to keep an antimalware installed like Malwarebytes, so that you can do a full scan when there are doubts about the presence of hidden malicious software.
The first thing to do on a PC that has slowness problems is always to do an antimalware scan, in order to immediately remove any infection and virus.
3) Update the default browser, check the extensions and clean the cache
Chrome is the best browser to use for simplicity, for functionality (if we use its remote desktop it is absolutely essential) and for its extensions.
Therefore make sure that it is the default browser (see also how to change the default browser on PC).
If Chrome is installed on the PC, this updates automatically so there should be no problems, but it is always better to check.
In another article, we saw how to update the browser and check if you are using the latest version.
Edge is a good choice in Windows 10 because it is easy to use, instead I would avoid Firefox since in recent years it has been modified several times creating confusion.
For sure, we must tell the person to whom we help not to use Internet Explorer as an outdated, obsolete and insecure browser anymore.
Furthermore, it is worth checking the extensions and removing the unused or old or useless ones that may have been installed by malicious software.
While we're at it, it's worth clearing the cache and cookies to clean up the browsers of old data.
4) Uninstall unnecessary programs
This could be the most difficult and tedious job, checking unnecessary programs from the list and removing them.
On our PC this should be a minor problem, but if you put your hand on the computer of a friend or inexperienced relative you could find many of those things to get out of the way to get your hands in your hair.
Tools to uninstall programs such as Revo Uninstaller may then come up.
Removing unnecessary programs is one of the most important operations to optimize Windows also because, if the PC was slow, the fault lies precisely in the presence of software that maybe are automatically executed when the computer starts and which take up RAM memory.
In another guide we saw how to disable automatic program start in Windows
5) Clean up the disc
If it is not installed, you can do a nice cleaning of the hard disk by deleting in one fell swoop all the obsolete and temporary files that take up space unnecessarily using the Ccleaner program.
6) Activate automatic backups
Having a backup of important data is a fundamental operation on every PC, on ours and on that of other people to whom we support, so that even in the event of disasters, photos and documents are not lost.
In other articles we have seen:
- The file backup and restore tools included in Windows
- Important folders and files to save on a Windows PC
It is also really essential that you activate automatic recovery points, in order to correct sudden errors without wasting time, using the system restore tool included in Windows.
7) Accessibility settings
If we need to configure the PC used by an elderly person, the Accessibility settings of Windows 10 are excellent to use.
The elderly can use these features to be read what is written on the screen by a voice assistant, to enlarge the text, to increase the size of the mouse cursor, to make the screen easier to see through color filters or with high contrast and much more.
8) Install the essential programs
To ensure the proper functioning of the computer it is important to have the best programs installed to do the basic operations.
We have already mentioned Chrome to surf the internet, then there are also important programs such as 7Zip to open archives, LibreOffice to use free Office programs, VLC to watch videos, A Media Player for music (which is no longer Windows Media Player), Irfanview to view images and photos, a PDF reader and so on.
In another article we have listed the essential PC programs you should never miss.
9) Remove administrator rights
To secure your grandparents 'or parents' PC, you can set up a limited user account, which cannot modify system files and cannot install new programs.
The administrator account can only be used by us, when we need to install new software or to make special changes to the configuration.
To change the user type and add a new standard user to Windows, use the control panel in the User accounts section.
I recommend that you be sure that you have at least one administrator account on your PC (not to be used but to be kept available and password protected) and that you have activated the Windows "UAC" user account control.
I also remember that it is also possible to start the Windows 10 PC stuck on a single program, which can be Chrome, in order to keep the computer completely armored and closed to all other functions.
10) Remove the password lock screen when the PC wakes up
A secure computer is always set to ask for the password each time the computer wakes up from sleep mode.
However, this can cause confusion for the elderly if the system asks for the password each time.
We have seen in another article how to disable Windows 10 lock screen
Finally, if we have to give help on the security and maintenance of his PC, let's try to convince him to read the guides of Navigaweb.net and who knows that he won't learn something and will also manage to do it alone the next time he has a problem.
" My computer is full of viruses ", " the PC is very slow " and "the Internet does not work " are just some of the most common requests for help that are addressed to the friend or more experienced relative by those who request assistance .
For those who are a little fed up with having to put their hands on badly-kept and disastrous computers, but cannot really avoid or avoid this support (which will certainly not be paid in any way), we see in this guide the things to do to put a PC safely, so that those who use it can no longer create mess, to limit unexpected problems to the maximum, to find the suitable configuration so that those who use it no longer need us (at least for a while), and prevent your PC may be vulnerable to malware, viruses and dangerous programs.
1) Remote control
First of all it is important that a remote control is configured on the PC of those who need help, so that you can quickly intervene from your home, without having to move.
The best program in this sense can be Teamviewer, an excellent tool for giving support to other computers remotely .
However, if you want to use a simpler and more immediate method, the best way to enter someone's PC at any time and control it in every aspect is Chrome's Remote Desktop, which does not require the installation of a new program, integrated as app in the Chrome browser and which always remains active in the background (Chrome does not need to be open).
It is configured only once on the PC to be controlled and practically never needs to be reset, thus leaving the access open without security problems, with secure connection.
At this point, practically any operation to secure the PC of the friend or relative who asks for help can be done remotely, from your home or office PC or even from a mobile phone.
An interesting though little known program for remote PC control is Ccleaner Cloud .
To use this control software it is necessary to create a basic account that offers a 14-day trial for the Pro version that allows you to control and optimize up to 10 PCs and to automate cleaning and defragmentation operations (keep in mind that with Windows anyway 8 and 10 the defragmentation is already automatic).
After 14 days the account becomes a Free type which allows you to manage a maximum of 3 computers.
On the Ccleaner Cloud site, from the initial control panel, you can add the computers on which you want to use Ccleaner Cloud.
On each PC on which you want to add it is necessary to install a small program that acts as a connector for the account.
For each computer it is possible to view hardware details, the task manager, available memory, installed programs (which can always be uninstalled via the website), those that start automatically, active processes and Windows updates.
You can then do, via the web, the cleaning of obsolete files, the cleaning of the Windows registry, the management of recovery points and the defragmentation of disks.
In fact, all PC optimization and maintenance tools can be used.
Finally, in Windows 10 there is a PC remote assistance app that works very well and allows people who ask for support and assistance to enter the PC, without the need to install and configure any external software.
It therefore becomes an immediate and handy solution that does not require you to be present in front of the PC to be controlled, not even the first time.
1) Install system updates (and make sure automatic updates are active)
This may be the longest operation to do, but since you can leave it in the background while doing other things, it is also the first thing to do.
Installing all updates is important to fix system bugs and, most importantly, to cover security holes through patches provided by Microsoft for Windows and Apple on Mac.
On a Windows PC, run Windows Update (from Settings> Update and Security in Windows 10, from the Control Panel in Windows 7) to install all the updates found by the scan and then make sure that the Update service is automatic.
Remember that if you are asked to restart your computer after installing a series of updates, you have to repeat the search for Windows Update until it says there is nothing else to install.
In Windows 10 system updates are always automatic, while in Windows 7 it may not be so.
In the guide to resolve Windows Update errors if the system does not update, all the instructions to make sure updates are automatic always.
2) Install (or verify that there are) the antivirus and an Anti-Malware protection program
Antivirus is the basis of a computer's security and should already be present on all Windows PCs.
On a Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 PC, there is no need to install an external program, as long as the internal built-in antivirus Windows Defender is active and working, which works well and remains invisible until a problem is detected.
In Windows 7 there is no antivirus, so you need to install one of the free antivirus that update automatically.
I would avoid buying a paid antivirus for the PC of a poor person, because then you should remember to renew the license every year and there may be problems.
In addition to the antivirus that remains running at all times, it is also important to keep an antimalware installed like Malwarebytes, so that you can do a full scan when there are doubts about the presence of hidden malicious software.
The first thing to do on a PC that has slowness problems is always to do an antimalware scan, in order to immediately remove any infection and virus.
3) Update the default browser, check the extensions and clean the cache
Chrome is the best browser to use for simplicity, for functionality (if we use its remote desktop it is absolutely essential) and for its extensions.
Therefore make sure that it is the default browser (see also how to change the default browser on PC).
If Chrome is installed on the PC, this updates automatically so there should be no problems, but it is always better to check.
In another article, we saw how to update the browser and check if you are using the latest version.
Edge is a good choice in Windows 10 because it is easy to use, instead I would avoid Firefox since in recent years it has been modified several times creating confusion.
For sure, we must tell the person to whom we help not to use Internet Explorer as an outdated, obsolete and insecure browser anymore.
Furthermore, it is worth checking the extensions and removing the unused or old or useless ones that may have been installed by malicious software.
While we're at it, it's worth clearing the cache and cookies to clean up the browsers of old data.
4) Uninstall unnecessary programs
This could be the most difficult and tedious job, checking unnecessary programs from the list and removing them.
On our PC this should be a minor problem, but if you put your hand on the computer of a friend or inexperienced relative you could find many of those things to get out of the way to get your hands in your hair.
Tools to uninstall programs such as Revo Uninstaller may then come up.
Removing unnecessary programs is one of the most important operations to optimize Windows also because, if the PC was slow, the fault lies precisely in the presence of software that maybe are automatically executed when the computer starts and which take up RAM memory.
In another guide we saw how to disable automatic program start in Windows
5) Clean up the disc
If it is not installed, you can do a nice cleaning of the hard disk by deleting in one fell swoop all the obsolete and temporary files that take up space unnecessarily using the Ccleaner program.
6) Activate automatic backups
Having a backup of important data is a fundamental operation on every PC, on ours and on that of other people to whom we support, so that even in the event of disasters, photos and documents are not lost.
In other articles we have seen:
- The file backup and restore tools included in Windows
- Important folders and files to save on a Windows PC
It is also really essential that you activate automatic recovery points, in order to correct sudden errors without wasting time, using the system restore tool included in Windows.
7) Accessibility settings
If we need to configure the PC used by an elderly person, the Accessibility settings of Windows 10 are excellent to use.
The elderly can use these features to be read what is written on the screen by a voice assistant, to enlarge the text, to increase the size of the mouse cursor, to make the screen easier to see through color filters or with high contrast and much more.
8) Install the essential programs
To ensure the proper functioning of the computer it is important to have the best programs installed to do the basic operations.
We have already mentioned Chrome to surf the internet, then there are also important programs such as 7Zip to open archives, LibreOffice to use free Office programs, VLC to watch videos, A Media Player for music (which is no longer Windows Media Player), Irfanview to view images and photos, a PDF reader and so on.
In another article we have listed the essential PC programs you should never miss.
9) Remove administrator rights
To secure your grandparents 'or parents' PC, you can set up a limited user account, which cannot modify system files and cannot install new programs.
The administrator account can only be used by us, when we need to install new software or to make special changes to the configuration.
To change the user type and add a new standard user to Windows, use the control panel in the User accounts section.
I recommend that you be sure that you have at least one administrator account on your PC (not to be used but to be kept available and password protected) and that you have activated the Windows "UAC" user account control.
I also remember that it is also possible to start the Windows 10 PC stuck on a single program, which can be Chrome, in order to keep the computer completely armored and closed to all other functions.
10) Remove the password lock screen when the PC wakes up
A secure computer is always set to ask for the password each time the computer wakes up from sleep mode.
However, this can cause confusion for the elderly if the system asks for the password each time.
We have seen in another article how to disable Windows 10 lock screen
Finally, if we have to give help on the security and maintenance of his PC, let's try to convince him to read the guides of Navigaweb.net and who knows that he won't learn something and will also manage to do it alone the next time he has a problem.
