10. Keeping your computer working: software, updates and simple fixes

Week 2 of 2

What you will be able to do

• Install software safely from the right place, and remove software you don't need.
• Keep your operating system, apps and antivirus up to date.
• Back up your important files.
• Fix common problems yourself with a simple step-by-step method, and know when to ask for help.

Why this matters

A computer that's slow, full of junk or infected wastes your learning time. And troubleshooting, finding out what's wrong step by step, is the core skill of IT support, cloud and platform jobs. You'll start building that habit here.

1. Installing and removing software

• Install from the official source only: the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store, the Google Play Store on Chromebooks, or the maker's own website (for example google.com/chrome or zoom.us). Search results often show fake download sites and adverts (topic 5).
• Read each install screen. Untick extra offers ("also install this toolbar").
• Never use "cracked" or pirated software: it is the most common way computers get infected.
• Remove what you don't use: Windows: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → the app → Uninstall. Mac: drag the app from Applications to the Bin.

2. Updates and antivirus

Updates fix security holes and bugs. Install them:

• Windows: Settings → Windows Update.
• Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update.
• Apps and browsers usually update themselves; restart the browser when it asks.

Antivirus: Windows has Microsoft Defender built in and switched on; you don't need to buy another. Macs and Chromebooks have protection built in too. Run a scan if a computer behaves strangely, and scan flash drives from others.

3. Back up your work

A backup is a second copy kept somewhere else. If your laptop is stolen or its storage fails, your work survives.

• Keep important files in Google Drive or OneDrive (topic 9): they're backed up automatically.
• Or copy them regularly to a flash drive or external drive kept in a different place.
• A good rule: important work should exist in at least two places.

4. Troubleshooting: a simple method

When something goes wrong, work through these steps in order:

1. Describe the problem exactly. What were you doing? What happened? Is there an error message? Write it down or take a screenshot (Windows: Windows key + Shift + S; Mac: Command + Shift + 4).
2. Check the simple things. Is it plugged in and switched on? Is the Wi-Fi connected? Is the volume up and not muted? Is Caps Lock on?
3. Restart it. Close the app and open it again; if that doesn't help, restart the computer. This fixes a surprising number of problems.
4. Search for it. Type the exact error message, in quotation marks, plus your operating system (topic 5).
5. Change one thing at a time, and check whether the problem is gone after each change.
6. Ask for help, well. Say what you were doing, what happened, the exact error, and what you've already tried. In ITLearning courses, post in the course's Questions and help forum.

Common problems:

Watch

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Made Easy | Fix Common Windows Problems | Lesson 19

Presley’s Digital Kitchen · 5 min. Fixing common Windows problems step by step.

Try it

1. Check for updates on your computer and install any that are waiting.
2. Check that Microsoft Defender (or your Mac's protection) is on, and run a quick scan.
3. Make sure your Learning folder is backed up to Google Drive or OneDrive.
4. Take a screenshot of an error message (open any website that doesn't exist, such as itlearning.tech/no-such-page), then write a short "help request" using step 6.

Check your understanding

1. Where should you install software from?
2. Why do updates matter?
3. What is the first thing to try when an app stops working?
4. What four things should a good help request include?