Weekly
Computer Routines
For ALL these
routines, I suggest you close all your other programs first.
I suggest you do these in the order shown (CCleaner, then Spybot, then MSE). Since the last step can take a VERY long time, I suggest you do this when you are ready to retire for the evening (or otherwise leave your computer unattended).
CCleaner
1. Double-click the CCleaner icon on your desktop
2. Click on the words in the bottom right hand corner “CHECK FOR UPDATES”
a. That will launch your browser (probably Internet Explorer) and take you to the CCleaner web site.
b. If it says “A new version, x.xx.xxx is available!” then follow these instructions below – otherwise skip to step c:
i. Click on CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ii. On the next screen, click on DOWNLOAD FROM FILEHIPPO.COM
iii. On the next screen, click on DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION (probably a green button at top right)
iv. If given the option to SAVE or RUN, click RUN (if you can only SAVE, save it to your desktop and then double-click the icon on the desktop)
v. You may need to click RUN
vi. Accept English as the language – click OK
vii. On the WELCOME TO THE CCLEANER screen, click NEXT
viii. Accept the agreement by clicking on I AGREE
ix. On the CHOOSE INSTALL LOCATION, accept the suggested destination folder by clicking NEXT
x. IMPORTANT: UNCHECK ALL THE BOXES ON THE INSTALL OPTIONS WINDOW and then click INSTALL
xi. Click FINISH
xii. Now skip to Step 3 below.
c. If it says “Congratulations, this is the very latest version!” then close the browser window and continue with Step 3
3. Click RUN CLEANER near the bottom right. If you are asked to close your browser window, do so.
4. When it says CLEANING COMPLETE (this should take less than a minute), you can close the program by clicking the X at the top right of the CCleaner window.
Now proceed to the next page.
Spybot Search and
Destroy
1. Double-click the Spybot icon on your desktop.
2. Click on the SEARCH FOR UPDATES button at the bottom of the center panel.
a. If it says NO NEWER UPDATES AVAILABLE, just click on the OK button and you will be back at the main Spybot screen. Skip the next step (2.b) and go directly to Step 3.
b. If it shows a list of download sites:
i. Click on any US flag icon, and then click CONTINUE
ii. Leave all items checked or unchecked as the program suggests, and then click DOWNLOAD
iii. When all the checkmarks have cleared (indicating the updates have been downloaded and installed) click EXIT
3. Click CHECK FOR PROBLEMS. This process can take a long time – it might take 30 minutes or more.
a. If it says CONGRATULATIONS – NO IMMEDIATE THREATS WERE FOUND then simply close Spybot by clicking the X at the top right of the Spybot window. YOU ARE DONE – DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT STEP
4. If it shows that problems were found
a. Make sure the boxes are all checked next to the problems found
b. Click FIX SELECTED PROBLEMS
c. When the program is finished, you can shut it down.
Microsoft Security
Essentials
1. Double-click the green folder icon with the checkmark in the system tray, next to the clock near the bottom right of your computer screen.
2. Make sure you are on the HOME tab
3. Click the radio button next to the word FULL (instead of the default “quick” value)
4. Click SCAN NOW
5. This can take a long time, depending on your hard drive size. I suggest you do this process when you are ready to go to bed and let it run while you sleep.
6. If any problems are found, simply follow the recommended actions. If there were problems found, I suggest you scan it again after fixing the problems.
7. When done, you may close MSE by clicking the X at the top right of the MSE window. Ensure the program is still running, as evidenced by the green icon in your system tray with a checkmark in it.
Matt Metz
11/29/09