Why (And How) You Should Properly Shut Down Your Computer

Are you one of those people who just locks their computer and goes home at the end of the day? Doing so ignores an important element of owning a computer, which is powering it down fully from time to time. Performing a full shutdown can help you avoid some common computer problems that will drag you down throughout the workday.

Why Perform a Full Shutdown?

Your computer is just like any other machine; you need to give it a break every now and then if you want it to keep running the way it should.

Over time, your computer will grow susceptible to slowdowns, data corruption, and other frustrations. Additionally, your device will likely accumulate various types of stored data that could cause problems if not routinely cleared out. For example, background processes that are left running could drain resources and create errors if they’re never shut down or given a break.

So be kind to your computer and give it the break it deserves!

What Does a Full Shutdown Look Like?

Let’s get this out of the way; a full shutdown involves much more than just closing your laptop lid or hitting that physical power button.

If you’re not paying attention, depending on your device, these actions might put your computer to sleep or in hibernation mode instead of actually shutting it down; it’s more of a convenience for you than actually helpful for your technology, which is why we recommend the full power down. Instead, we recommend you go to the Start menu (for Windows users) or the Apple menu (for Mac users) and select the Shut Down option. This is a systematic process that closes all running applications and clears out temporary files and memory caches that can build up over time.

This type of thorough closing of operations brings your workday to a nice, neat end and leaves your computer fresh for the morning after.

Full Shutdowns Are Great for Security, Too

You ever wonder how your IT department administers patches and security updates?

… You DO have someone doing these, right?

Full shutdowns are vital to ensuring your security is top-notch. Most operating systems and application updates will need a full restart or a shutdown to be installed correctly. If you’re constantly putting your device into sleep mode, these updates simply won’t happen, and your systems will become vulnerable to threats.

Think about it like your immune system if you must. Without proper rest, you’ll be more susceptible to viruses, just like a computer would be, too.

Don’t forget, however, if you are a client of Suffolk Computer Consultants and we perform ongoing maintenance across your network, you don’t want to leave your computer offline after hours, as that’s when our technicians might perform critical updates, patches, and maintenance!

For more great tips and tricks on how to make the most of your IT, contact Suffolk Computer Consultants at 631-905-9617.