Managing software on Windows 11 is easier and safer when you avoid a few common mistakes. These beginner-friendly strategies focus on practical steps and built-in system tools, with Glary Utilities highlighted where it can simplify routine maintenance.
Are you installing apps from random websites?
Installing from untrusted sources is a top cause of malware, toolbars, and unstable systems.
What to do instead:
– Prefer the Microsoft Store for common apps.
Steps:
1) Open Microsoft Store.
2) Search for the app.
3) Click Get or Install.
– For apps not in the Store, use only the developer’s official website.
– Verify the file before running:
Steps:
1) Right-click the installer > Properties.
2) Check Digital Signatures (when present).
3) Keep SmartScreen enabled so Windows warns about suspicious installers.
Do you skip software updates?
Out-of-date apps can crash, run slowly, or expose you to security risks.
How to stay current:
– Turn on automatic updates where possible inside each app.
– Update Microsoft Store apps:
Steps:
1) Open Microsoft Store > Library.
2) Click Get updates > Update all.
– Use Glary Utilities Software Update to scan for popular app updates in one place:
Steps:
1) Open Glary Utilities.
2) Go to Modules > System Tools > Software Update.
3) Review available updates and apply as needed.
Are too many programs starting with Windows?
Unnecessary startup apps slow boot time and can cause conflicts.
Trim your startup list:
– Windows 11 Settings:
Steps:
1) Press Windows key + I > Apps > Startup.
2) Toggle off apps you do not need at startup.
– Task Manager:
Steps:
1) Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Startup apps.
2) Right-click an app > Disable.
– Glary Utilities Startup Manager provides clearer impact labels and delayed start options:
Steps:
1) Open Glary Utilities > Modules > Optimize > Startup Manager.
2) Disable or delay nonessential entries.
Do you try to uninstall apps by deleting folders?
Deleting program folders leaves behind services, scheduled tasks, and registry entries.
Uninstall cleanly:
– Windows 11 Settings:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Apps > Installed apps.
2) Click the three dots next to the app > Uninstall.
– Check for leftover items with Glary Utilities Uninstall Manager:
Steps:
1) Open Glary Utilities > Modules > Clean Up & Repair > Uninstall Manager.
2) Select the app > Uninstall > run leftover scan and remove safe remnants.
Are you letting temp files and caches pile up?
Large temp folders waste space and slow searches and backups.
Clean safely with built-in tools:
– Storage Sense:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > System > Storage.
2) Turn on Storage Sense > Configure cleanup schedules.
– Disk Cleanup (for system files):
Steps:
1) Press Windows key, type Disk Cleanup, open it.
2) Click Clean up system files, select categories like Temporary files, Windows Update Cleanup.
Use Glary Utilities Disk Cleaner and Tracks Eraser for a quick, beginner-friendly sweep that focuses on safe categories:
Steps:
1) Glary Utilities > 1-Click Maintenance > select Temporary Files and Tracks Eraser.
2) Click Scan > Repair.
Are you running apps as Administrator by default?
Running everything as admin raises the risk of system-wide damage from buggy or malicious software.
Use standard privileges:
– Keep User Account Control (UAC) at its default setting:
Steps:
1) Press Windows key, type UAC, open Change User Account Control settings.
2) Ensure the slider is not at Never notify.
– Create and use a standard account for everyday work:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Accounts > Family & other users.
2) Add account > change account type to Standard.
Do you skip restore points and backups before big changes?
Without a restore point or backup, a bad install can be hard to undo.
Protect yourself first:
– Create a restore point:
Steps:
1) Press Windows key, type Create a restore point, open it.
2) Select your system drive > Configure > Turn on system protection.
3) Click Create, name it, and wait for confirmation.
– Glary Utilities includes a Restore Center that lets you undo changes made by its own modules, adding an extra safety net when performing cleanups and tweaks.
Are background apps eating resources without you noticing?
Apps that run in the background use memory, CPU, and bandwidth.
Control background activity:
– Per-app settings:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Apps > Installed apps.
2) Click the three dots > Advanced options (when available).
3) Set Background apps permissions to Power optimized or Never.
– Privacy settings:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Privacy & security > App permissions.
2) Review Camera, Microphone, Background apps, and disable access for apps you don’t use.
– Glary Utilities Startup Manager can reveal auto-runs and scheduled tasks that slip past normal lists.
Are you using third-party driver updaters?
Many driver tools install wrong or unstable drivers. This can cause crashes, audio issues, or network drops.
Stick to trusted sources:
– Windows Update optional driver updates:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Windows Update.
2) Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates.
3) Install only what matches your hardware.
– Device Manager for specific devices:
Steps:
1) Press Windows key + X > Device Manager.
2) Right-click the device > Update driver > Search automatically.
– For laptops, use the PC maker’s support app or website for model-specific drivers.
Do you skip scanning downloads and installers?
Malicious installers can look legitimate and still harm your system.
Scan everything:
– Use Windows Security:
Steps:
1) Right-click the downloaded file > Show more options > Scan with Microsoft Defender.
2) Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan after large installations.
– Keep SmartScreen on to block known bad sites and files.
– After removing suspicious software, Glary Utilities Tracks Eraser and Startup Manager help clear browser traces and rogue autoruns that remain.
Do you ignore app crashes and warnings?
Crashes and hangs are clues that an app needs repair or cleanup.
Diagnose and fix:
– Reliability Monitor:
Steps:
1) Press Windows key, type View reliability history, open it.
2) Look for red X entries for Application failures.
3) Click View technical details to see the faulting app and module.
– Reset or Repair the app:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > Apps > Installed apps.
2) Three dots > Advanced options > Repair or Reset.
– Reinstall cleanly if needed using Settings or Glary Utilities Uninstall Manager, then install from the Microsoft Store or the official site.
Do you forget to schedule maintenance?
Manual cleanups get skipped, and performance slowly declines.
Automate the basics:
– Schedule Storage Sense:
Steps:
1) Windows key + I > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
2) Run Storage Sense set to Every week or Every month.
– Auto-update Store apps:
Steps:
1) Open Microsoft Store > Profile icon > App settings.
2) Turn on App updates.
– Glary Utilities 1-Click Maintenance can be set to run on a schedule:
Steps:
1) Open Glary Utilities > Menu > Settings.
2) Enable Automatically run 1-Click Maintenance and choose a schedule.
3) Keep only safe items selected, such as Temporary Files cleanup, Broken Shortcuts repair, and Startup optimization.
Real-world example checklist
– A browser toolbar keeps returning after reboot: Remove it in Settings > Apps, disable its startup entry in Task Manager or Glary Startup Manager, run Tracks Eraser to clear leftover browser extensions, then scan with Windows Security.
– PC takes minutes to start: Disable high-impact startup items, uninstall trialware you never use, enable Storage Sense, run Glary 1-Click Maintenance focusing on temp files and shortcuts, and check Reliability Monitor for app errors during boot.
– An app won’t open after an update: Use Reliability Monitor to confirm the failing module, Repair or Reset the app from Installed apps, reinstall from the official source, and create a restore point before the reinstall.