You haven’t tried resetting your computer
If your laptop is running painfully slowly, don’t lose hope and buy a new one just yet. This isn’t the same as a simple restart – resetting your Windows laptop reinstalls the operating system. “There’s no better way from a software perspective to get back to that fresh, crisp experience again than starting fresh,” says Schoeffler. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Reset this PC. You’ll have two choices: Keep your files or remove everything, so unless you’re prepared to lose all your documents and photos, you’ll want to select the first option before letting the reset do its magic. Schoeffler recommends reinstalling every other year or so.
When is it better to restart vs shutdown your computer? Read here to find out. Your computer will thank you for it.
You don’t have a surge protector
There’s a reason you’ve been told to unplug electronics during a storm. “If you’re plugged in and lightning hits around your house and you get a surge, that laptop is going to be fried,” says Eiland. Relying on unplugging it isn’t the safest choice – a power surge could take you off guard, your battery might need juice before the storm passes, or you might not be home to unplug it. Eiland recommends investing in a surge protector if you don’t already have one.
You pick your laptop up by the screen
It’s easy to grab an open laptop by the top, where the screen is, but it can mean bad news for your computer. There are metal screws attached to your laptop’s plastic case, and yanking on those screws can loosen them. “Naturally, metal is slightly stronger…and moving it around causes stress on the plastic,” says Schoeffler. “If it bends too much, it will eventually snap or get loose to the point where it starts to deteriorate. Be kind to your laptop by scooping it up from the bottom instead.