Here’s a comprehensive guide to cleaning and tuning a Windows PC for optimal performance. This process involves both physical cleaning and software optimisation.

Part 1: Physical Cleaning

1. Gather Supplies

• Compressed air can
• Microfiber cloth
• Small brush or toothbrush
• Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)

2. Power Down and Disconnect

• Turn off your PC and unplug it from the power source.
• Disconnect all peripherals (mouse, keyboard, etc.).

3. Open the Case

• Use a screwdriver to remove the side panel of your desktop case or access your laptop’s internals (if possible).

4. Clean Dust and Debris

• Fans and Vents: Use compressed air to blow out dust from fans and vents. Hold the fan blades to prevent them from spinning.
• CPU Cooler: Blow compressed air through the fins of the cooler.
• Motherboard and Components: Gently brush off dust using a small brush.
• Ports and Slots: Use compressed air to clean USB ports, HDMI ports, and other slots.

5. Reassemble

• Replace the side panel and reconnect all peripherals.

Part 2: Software Cleaning and Optimization

1. Remove Unnecessary Programs

• Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
• Uninstall software you no longer use.

2. Clean Temporary Files

• Open Disk Cleanup:
  • Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, and select your main drive.
  • Check items like Temporary Files, System Cache, and Recycle Bin, then click Clean up system files.
• Use tools like CCleaner for deeper cleaning (optional).

3. Manage Startup Programs

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Navigate to the Startup tab.
• Disable unnecessary programs from launching at startup.

4. Run Windows Updates

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Install all pending updates to ensure your PC is secure and running optimally.

5. Check for Malware

• Run a full scan using Windows Security or a trusted antivirus program like Malwarebytes.

6. Update Drivers

• Use Device Manager:
  • Press Win + X, select Device Manager.
  • Right-click a device and choose Update driver.
• Alternatively, use manufacturer software for updates (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce Experience).

7. Defragment and Optimize Drives

• For HDDs:
  • Open Defragment and Optimise Drives by searching in the Start menu.
  • Select your drive and click Optimise.
• For SSDs:
  • Ensure Trim is enabled by running the same tool.

8. Free Up Disk Space

• Use storage settings:
  • Go to Settings > System > Storage.
  • Enable Storage Sense to automatically clean up temporary files and recycle bin items.

Part 3: Advanced Performance Tuning

1. Adjust Power Settings

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
• Select High Performance (may use more power).

2. Optimize Visual Effects

• Open System Properties:
  • Press Win + S, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
  • Choose Adjust for best performance or customize settings.

3. Increase Virtual Memory

• Open Advanced System Settings:
  • Go to the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
  • Adjust Virtual Memory under Advanced.

4. Clean the Registry

• Use a trusted tool like CCleaner to clean and fix registry issues.

5. Reinstall Windows (Optional)

• If issues persist, consider a fresh installation:
  • Backup important files.
  • Use Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB.
  • Follow the installation wizard.

Maintenance Tips

• Clean dust every 6 months.
• Regularly uninstall unused software.
• Run virus scans weekly.
• Keep drivers and Windows updated.
• Use an SSD for faster performance.

By following this guide, your PC should stay clean, fast, and optimised.