David Nield, a writer for Wired, states that resetting one’s computer once a year can help you lead a “happier life.”
Although the idea of this totally freaks us out — resetting the computer… and living a happier live… and living a happier live because the computer has been reset — we were, naturally, intrigued by Nield’s optimism. And since all our lives (and your business) takes place online, we figured it may be wise to write up a post on Nield’s insights.
Why Reseting Your Computer is Useful
According to Nield’s Wired piece, resetting a personal laptop is the best way to troubleshoot the most common issues that arise on Windows, macOS or Chrome OS computers. Getting a “computer back to the state it was in when you first got it home from the store, and that means you’ve got none of the clutter, or bugs, that may have built up in the time since,” Wired reported.
The Wired article also states that a reset can get rid of most “malware and unwanted programs that have found their way onto” your system.
How Do You Do it?
Nield explains that all of the big tech companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Google have added tools in their operating systems to help users give their PC’s a fresh start.
The Wired piece notes that most users’ data is already backed up on the cloud, so user information remains secure and protected during a reset. If you, however, rely on an external hard drive, we strongly recommend backing up your data with that device before proceeding with your computer’s reset.
After backing up all your data, click over to Nield’s piece for the detailed, but easy-to-read, steps that are required to reset a Windows, macOS or Chrome OS computer.
A Few Takeaways About What’s Involved During a Computer Reset
For Windows
Window’s process is straightforward. There’s an actual “Reset this PC” option located in Windows’ system. “Windows itself recommends that going through a reset might be a good way of improving the performance of a computer that isn’t running well,” Wired reported.
Remember to write down your Microsoft account credentials. After a reset, you’ll need to reenter them and “put all programs and files back into place.”
For macOS
“The process of resetting a MacBook is slightly more involved than it is with Windows, as there’s no option built into the main operating system interface,” Wired reported.
You can do a basic-to-more-comprehensive reset for Mac computers based on what you need. The Wired piece recommends starting with the basic, and moving to the more comprehensive reset if you aren’t seeing the “performance and decluttering boost you need.”
For Chrome OS
Backup before a restart should be simple as most Chromebooks are “inherently very cloud-focused,” Wired reported. This means users may not have to “reset a Chromebook quite as often as its Windows and macOS counterparts, but doing so can still be useful.”
What This Means for You
Your business and brand rely on you having a fully operational, non-buggy computer. So, if there is a safe and straightforward way for you to reset one of your main livelihood making tools — aka your computer — free of charge, then we recommend you do so for your content and privacy’s sake.
But again, we can’t stress how important it is to back up all of your information and prepare for the worst. Sometimes, technology can be totally unpredictable.
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Abbie Stutzer is a queer, non-binary writer living in Kansas City, MO. You can find them doing witchy stuff at home with their numerous pets or at the local animal shelter saving lives. Contact Stutzer via abbie@ynotcam.com.
Background header image via by Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez on Unsplash.
