There ’s only so much a processor can handle at once . That ’s why we keep our home microcomputer powered on while we ’re at slumber or at the office . Forget about vim savings — a powerful PC is meant to be utilized !
Some process , like biz , monopolize CPU clock cycles , making it inconvenient to run other C.P.U. - intensive utilities in the scope . From schedule FTP downloads to converting digital photos and more , here are the ten best room to keep your PC officious so it wo n’t overleap you when you ’re gone . Downtime be beshrew !
Record TV Shows and Movies
Sure , you could record television receiver show and pic while you use your microcomputer , but what do you do if you have two or three program all combat for your attending ? If you ca n’t catch your favourite onHuluorBoxee , or if you do n’t have a TV tuner than can deal multiple programs , take vantage of repeat broadcasts of many programs ; catch the game populate , and record your favored news programs or movies later .
If your favorite movie station insists on having a marathon of your favorite movie , you might as well record the 2AM showing and watch something else in choice prison term . If you use Windows Media Center , you could use either theprogram guideor themovies guideto record moving-picture show .
Patch Applications and Run Windows Update
Windows Update enables you to decide when to download and install updates for Windows and for Microsoft Office and other broadcast supported by Windows Update / Microsoft Update . The default scope is in the middle of the nighttime , but if your microcomputer is in use with other task then , look at a time like Wednesday morn after you steer off to act ( Wednesday morning is also a everlasting sentence to take hold of Microsoft ’s Patch Tuesday updates ) . ask a reminder on how to align your configurations ? Here ’s how to do it withWindows XPand withWindows Vista ( and Windows 7 ) .
Scan Your PC with Anti-virus and Anti-malware Software
Although most current anti - virus and anti - malware programs can run while you use your computer for other tasks , you ’re still better off to check your car for problems when you ’re not using it . bet upon your best-loved software , you might be able to schedule scans from within the computer software , or in some cases , you might need to turn tail Windows Task Schedule / Scheduled Tasks service separately .
To retrieve out if your favorite programs have built - in scheduling , you might need to trade to the program ’s advanced mode or advanced menus . For model , to schedule scans with Spybot S&D , you must change over to the Advanced mode and start the preferences tag to locate the scheduler . However , you might want to update to the paid versions of some scan programs to have entree to programing function .
depend upon the speed of your anti - virus and anti - malware scanners , you might be able-bodied to schedule them on the same daytime or night . If possible , schedule the digital scanner ’s update process to hightail it before the scan program itself .
Check Your Hard Drive for Errors with Chkdsk+Defrag
While malware and spyware can deeply - six your computer ’s performance , so can problems with your punishing disk ’s structure . Use the dynamic duo of chkdsk and defrag to crack your arduous disks for errors and defragment data file to keep your computer memory in good shape .
Chkdsk can be scat from thecommand command prompt , and by using command - prompt switches when you schedule chkdsk to run , you have a great deal of restraint over how chkdsk shape . If you want to repair phonograph recording error on the C : ( scheme ) movement , you ’ll ask to schedule chkdsk to operate at inauguration .
you may shut down and re-start Windows automatically usingTask Scheduler , enable you to run Chkdsk on the system of rules drive at inauguration . You should run Chkdsk before you run Defrag on a given drive to assure that files are not being moved to corrupted part of the disk .
In Windows 7 , you may selectmultiple drivesfor defragmenting , which realigns small file fragment into large contiguous blocks . This enable faster file reads and writes , peculiarly on drives with frequent changes , such as the drive you apply for temporary or swap data file or drives with frequent modification to data files .
Backup Your PC!
you could configure most commercial-grade computer backup programs as well as Windows ’s own accompaniment programs to run on a docket . To make scheduled backup work by rights , keep the pursuit in mind :
• Use an external hard disk or net placement that ’s big enough for the backing ( you wo n’t be around to flip over DVDs or removable media in and out of a backup drive ) . utilize the default compression setting for the best combination of backup execution and backup size of it .
• habituate the backup scheduler let in in the backup software .
• Make certain your backup locating is quick to receive the fill-in . With an external concentrated disk , check that it ’s turn on and link up to your PC . With a web backup , ensure the remote driving or waiter is connected to the electronic web – rather , to a wired rather than a wireless connection .
• If you have metre , verify the musical accompaniment .
• For ripe carrying out , use gigabit Ethernet for mesh backups and eSATA or USB 3.0 for local drive accompaniment .
To learn more about using Windows 7 relief , see ourWindows 7 feature direction article .
Process Photos and Transcode Videos
If you ’re a serious digital photographer , you already recognize that shot in birthday suit manner ply much more ascendence over exposure , whitened correspondence , and other factors than inject in JPEG . However , when it add up to sharing or print your photos , JPEG rules . reduce out the ennui of converting your photos manually by using automation feature in your photo editing software .
With Photoshop Elements and Adobe Camera RAW , you could useProcess Multiple Filesto convert RAW files into virtually any other format supported by Photoshop Elements , apply quick fixes , resize range of a function , rename file , and add label .
With Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Camera RAW , you could use theImage Processorto automatise the rebirth unconscious process and run action . If you still use Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Camera RAW , you could also useImage Processor .
Depending upon what type of video recording you ’re encoding or transcoding , there are many choices , all of which take time better spent when you ’re away from your PC . Here are some of our tutorials and intersection guides :
How To : Download , Save and Convert Flash Video to Play on your iPod or DVD Player
Ultimate Guide to Playing and Transcoding Downloaded Videos
The Last videodisc and Blu - Ray Ripping Guide You ’ll Ever Need
The Power User ’s Guide to Video Encoding with Handbrake
The Top Transcoding Apps for Watching Content on Consoles
Schedule Bittorrent Downloads and Pre-Load Steam Games
Whether you use FTP or Bittorrent to transfer files or diddle games save via Steam , you ’re push a destiny of information through your home web to the Internet ( and frailty - versa ) . Here ’s how you’re able to take reward of off from your PC clock time to manage impenetrable morsel - push .
If you habituate data file transfer communications protocol ( FTP ) to shamble files around , you know there are lot of freeware versions to choose from . Unfortunately , just about all of those that admit a scheduler feature will be you a few bucks . One that wo n’t cost you anything isWinSCP . Use itsscripting featureto schedule file cabinet transfer . For a scurvy - cost FTP program that does n’t require scripting to agenda transference , considerProSoft FTP Scheduler Standard Edition(about $ 25 , 15 daylight trial ) .
While Steam does n’t ply a way to schedule your downloads , you may pause and resume a game download whenever you require .
Run a Music Server
There ’s no demand to draw your music collection between home and office . Give your iPod or Zune a residual and use our own average Chan’sHow To : Stream Your Music Library to Any Computertutorial to make for your music to your office staff . The most time - consuming step ( Thomas Nelson Page 2 ) is importing your music into Netjukebox , so it ’s a perfect candidate for running it before you strike the hay or head to the post .
Compiling Code or Render Graphics
Compiling computer code and rendering graphics are among the most time - consuming tasks you could do , so you should n’t devastate wanted playtime by watching your reckoner Edvard Munch curriculum and television bits .
Start these outgrowth before you clock out for the eve or as you originate off to work . To make certain they go as quickly as potential , set your computing machine ’s ability management for high operation and turn off other job that might interfere , such as Windows and program updates and other processes ( such as the ones listed in this pathfinder ) . If you ’re rendering art to an external effort or establish a DVD or Blu - Ray disc , verify your external drive is quick to pluck and that you have a suited white disc in your drive .
Contribute to Distributed Computing
you may “ give something back ” to the macrocosm by devoting idle computer cps to a cause you stand . you could help make scientific discoveries or fight deadly diseases , and there ’s no shortage of causes looking for your help . For a list of projects , see these Maximum PC story : Facebook and Intel desire You to Donate Your Spare Cycles , Freeware file cabinet : Five Free Distributed Computing Projects for your Idle PC ! , andNew Distributed Computing Initiative need to Create Artificial Life . ask more alternative ? See Wikipedia’slistof distributed computing projects and lot Computing Info’slistof projects .
How to Manage It All When You’re Away
Whether you ’re running apps that admit built - in schedulers or necessitate to start them yourself , you ’re pop off to need a manner to log into your home plate PC from the government agency and keep an eye on what ’s drop dead on . You could utilize commercial-grade service likeGotoMyPC , but if you ’re looking for a powerful freebee , check out the removed connection apps in our storyThe Ultimate Free connection Applications , Period . During your coffee breaks or lunch , you could stay in perfect ascendance of your microcomputer at place .
Maximum PCbrings you the late in PC news , review , and how - tos .
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