You don’t have to reinstall Windows on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly. Nor do you still need to overwrite modern hard drives several times to securely delete data.
These are nevertheless persistent myths that are repeated frequently — even by those who claim to be computer experts, German computer magazine c’t says.
Another outdated tale: that Google’s Chrome software is faster than other browsers, which hasn’t been true for some time now. And that laser printers are all inherently better and more affordable than inkjet printers.
Just because computer “truisms” are repeated doesn’t mean they’re true. For example, installing lots of programs doesn’t necessarily make Windows run slower. What the experts say really makes a difference is which programs are automatically launched when the computer is booted.
One good way to keep things flowing is to run “msconfig” from the Run item on the Start menu and clean out the Autostart settings. Unnecessary programs and processes can be deactivated from automatically starting when the computer is booted.
Another unnecessary step according to the magazine: repeated overwrites of hard drives and storage media. This tip has its roots in the age of floppy disks as a method for ensuring secure deletion of data. For modern hard drives, though, one single, thorough deletion process is enough.
Google’s Chrome browser is often considered faster than Firefox or Internet Explorer. That was actually only true when it launched, the experts explain. The competition has since caught up — and in some cases passed Chrome by. The only speed advantage it retains is at startup, and even that is minor and depends on the proper conditions.
Another pearl of wisdom that’s lost its luster: the purported advantages between the major print technology camps: low-end laser printers are neither faster nor less expensive than comparably priced inkjet printers these days,…