Keeping a Windows 10 system in peak condition requires consistent maintenance backed by the right set of tools. From improving performance to ensuring data integrity, regular upkeep helps extend your PC’s lifespan and prevents unexpected slowdowns. Based on professional system management practices, these seven strategies cover essential tasks and the tools you can use to carry them out effectively.
1. Regular Disk Cleanup for Junk File Removal
Over time, Windows accumulates temporary files, cached data, and leftover installation files that can take up valuable storage space. Using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool is a good start, but a more thorough approach is to use Glary Utilities. Its Disk Cleaner scans deeper, removing junk from system folders, browser caches, and application leftovers, freeing up gigabytes of space in some cases. For example, a typical office PC might recover over 5 GB of space after clearing browser cache, Windows Update temp files, and old system logs.
2. Defragmenting and Optimizing Drives
Mechanical hard drives benefit from regular defragmentation to reorganize fragmented files for faster access. Windows includes the Optimize Drives tool, which can be scheduled weekly. For systems with SSDs, optimization runs the TRIM command to maintain performance. Glary Utilities also offers a Disk Defrag feature with visual fragmentation maps and optimization modes, allowing users to prioritize speed or full space consolidation.
3. Managing Startup Programs for Faster Boot Times
Too many startup applications can significantly delay boot time. The Task Manager’s Startup tab gives basic control, but for a more advanced approach, Glary Utilities’ Startup Manager lists hidden and scheduled startup entries with recommendations on which to disable. In one real-world case, disabling unnecessary cloud sync tools and unused update checkers reduced a system’s startup time from 68 seconds to under 30 seconds.
4. Updating Device Drivers for Hardware Stability
Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause system crashes, hardware malfunctions, or degraded performance. While Windows Update covers many drivers, it often misses manufacturer-specific updates. Tools like Device Manager help identify outdated drivers, but Glary Utilities’ Driver Updater scans for the latest official versions and can install them directly, ensuring better compatibility and stability, especially after major Windows updates.
5. Running Regular System File Integrity Checks
Corrupted system files can lead to performance issues or system errors. The System File Checker (sfc /scannow) and DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) are essential command-line tools for repairing these files. For example, after a power outage, running these commands can restore critical Windows components without requiring a full reinstall. Glary Utilities complements this by scanning for registry errors linked to system files, helping prevent further corruption.
6. Monitoring and Managing Background Processes
Background processes consume CPU, memory, and disk resources, sometimes without user awareness. While Task Manager shows process usage, Glary Utilities’ Process Manager provides more details and allows quick termination of unnecessary tasks. This is especially useful on workstations running resource-intensive applications, where freeing up memory can prevent crashes during heavy workloads.
7. Backing Up and Restoring System Settings
Unexpected software errors or malware infections can make it essential to restore Windows to a previous working state. Windows includes System Restore and Backup & Restore features, but Glary Utilities adds a one-click Registry Backup option, allowing you to save system settings before making changes. This is particularly valuable before major driver updates or installing new software, ensuring you can roll back if something goes wrong.
Professional maintenance of Windows 10 is not just about using built-in tools but also applying the right third-party solutions to fill gaps in functionality. Glary Utilities stands out as a comprehensive toolkit, allowing users at all levels to perform deeper cleanups, smarter optimizations, and safer system repairs. Implementing these seven strategies consistently will keep your Windows 10 system running efficiently, securely, and reliably over time.