How to Clean and Maintain Your Dell Computer

Keeping your Dell computer in good condition helps it last longer and perform reliably. Regular maintenance protects your privacy, secures your data, and keeps your computer running smoothly.

Use this guide when you need to:

• Perform regular maintenance
• Get your computer running again after it's been unused
• Move your computer to a new location
• Speed up a slow computer

Dust and debris can clog air vents and fan blades, causing overheating. Outdated drivers, missing security updates, and weak passwords can put your data at risk. Simple steps like running antivirus scans and hardware tests help you catch issues early.

Clean Your Computer

Regular cleaning helps your computer last longer and saves you money on repairs. Dust buildup can block air vents and cause overheating, which slows down performance.

What You Need

Before you start, gather these items:

• Can of compressed air (don't use a vacuum or blower, they create static)
• Clean microfiber cloth
• 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with 30% water
• Disposable gloves (recommended)

Review the Electrical Safety for Dell Product Repair: ESD Protection and Precautions before you begin.

Before You Clean

• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning
• Remove batteries from laptops, wireless keyboards, mice, and other devices
• Disconnect all cables and devices
• Never clean a product while it's turned on or plugged in
• Never spray liquid directly on your computer

Clean Your Computer

1. Moisten a microfiber cloth with the alcohol and water mixture. The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet. Remove excess moisture if needed.
2. Gently wipe surfaces with the damp cloth. Keep moisture away from keyboards, display panels, and ports. Moisture inside your computer can cause damage.
3. For display screens, wipe in one direction from top to bottom. Let surfaces air-dry completely before turning on your computer. Don't turn on your computer if any moisture is visible.
4. After cleaning glass surfaces, you can use glass cleaner designed for displays. Follow the cleaner's instructions. Avoid products with ammonia.
5. Clean air vents on all sides of your computer. Use compressed air to blow dust out of vents. Blocked vents restrict airflow and cause overheating.
6. For screens, use a microfiber cloth with water. Apply water to the cloth, not the screen. Wipe from top to bottom. Dry the screen quickly. Don't use commercial glass cleaner on screens.
7. After cleaning, throw away disposable gloves and wash your hands.

You may notice cosmetic changes to finishes over time from cleaning.

Don't Use These Products

Avoid these chemicals, they damage surfaces:

• Bleach and chlorine-based cleaners
• Hydrogen peroxide and other peroxides
• Acetone, paint thinner, benzene, or other solvents
• Ammonia-based cleaners like Windex
• Ethyl alcohol

Organize Cables

Tangled cables collect dust and get damaged. Cable organizers, clips, and color-coded labels help keep cables neat and prevent damage.

Restart Your Computer Regularly

Restarting your computer helps fix many issues and refreshes system resources. It clears memory, closes applications, and shuts down background services.

Important: Before you restart, save your work and bookmark open web pages.

Install Windows Updates

Windows updates fix problems, add security protection, and include new features.

Install Updates in Windows 11

1. Right-click Start, and then select Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. After the updates download and install, restart your computer.

Update Device Drivers and BIOS

Keep your drivers and BIOS current to ensure compatibility and stability. Dell Technologies recommends updating as part of regular maintenance.

To download and install drivers, see Dell Driver Update Guide.

To download and install the latest BIOS, see Dell BIOS Update Guide.

Run Antivirus Scans Regularly

Malware can slow your computer and expose your personal information. Malware may:

• Slow down your browser
• Disrupt network connections
• Cause crashes or freezes
• Change settings without permission
• Allow unauthorized access
• Steal personal and financial information
• Corrupt your files

Update your antivirus software before each scan. Updates add new features and improve protection. For instructions on updating and running scans, see your antivirus software manufacturer's website.

Learn how to protect your computer against virus or malware.

Run Hardware Diagnostics

Hardware tests identify problems and provide troubleshooting steps. Dell offers integrated and online diagnostics.

Run Tests Using Dell SupportAssist

If your computer starts normally and has internet access, run a quick test using SupportAssist.

Run the Pre-Boot System Assessment

If your computer won't start or doesn't have internet:

1. Restart your computer.
2. When the Dell logo appears, press F12 repeatedly until the One-time Boot Menu appears.
3. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics, and then press Enter.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the test.
5. If the test passes, your hardware is working correctly.
6. If the test fails, write down the error code and validation code, and then contact Dell Technical Support.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Fragmentation makes your hard drive work harder, which slows your computer. The Windows Disk Defragmenter reorganizes data so your drive runs faster.

Important: Don't defragment solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs don't need defragmentation because they work differently than hard drives.

Defragment Your Drive

1. Select Start.
2. In the search box, enter defrag.
3. Select Defragment and Optimize Drives.
4. Select the drive you want to optimize.
5. Select Optimize.

Remove Junk Files and Unused Applications

Temporary files and unused applications take up more space than you might expect. Freeing up disk space improves performance.

Here's what you can do:

• Delete temporary files using Disk Cleanup
• Uninstall trial software and unused applications
• Empty the Recycle Bin
• Clear your browser cache

Each browser has different steps for clearing cache and cookies.

For more information, see How to Free up Disk Space on Windows.

Update Passwords Regularly

Strong passwords protect your computer and data. Use unique passwords for each account. Learn more about strong password tips to enhance your security.

Create Strong Passwords

Your passwords should have:

• At least 12 characters (longer is better)
• A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• No connection to previous passwords

Protect Your Passwords

• Don't use easy-to-guess passwords like birthdays, names, or common words
• Never write down passwords or save them in unencrypted files
• Don't share your password with anyone
• Change your password immediately if you think someone else knows it

Organize Your Files

Too many files on your desktop can slow your computer. Organize files into folders to find them easily and delete old files quickly.

Tips for organizing:

• Create main folders and subfolders
• Empty your downloads folder regularly
• Move files from your desktop to folders
• Name files clearly
• Use a folder structure that works for you

Back Up Your Data

Computer crashes and hard drive failures can destroy your data. Back up your files at least once a week.

You can:

• Perform a full computer backup
• Manually back up documents, images, videos, music, and other files
• Use cloud storage like Microsoft OneDrive to access your data from anywhere

For more information, see How to Back Up Data in Windows.