How to Clean Up Your Computer in January (and Keep It Secure All Year)

Simple steps to make your device faster and safer.

The new year often brings new beginnings. So don’t our devices deserve a bit of maintenance, too? January is Clean Up Your Computer Month, a perfect moment to get rid of unused programs, forgotten files, outdated software, and even hidden security threats, that may result in a slower system, strange pop-ups, or increase exposure to malware and account takeovers.

The good news? Cleaning up your computer isn’t complicated. Just a few smart, intentional steps that can instantly improve performance and reduce security risks:

1. Uninstall Programs You No Longer Use

If you haven’t opened a program in months, you probably don’t need it anymore.

Unused software takes up storage space, can run background processes that slow down your system, and may contain outdated components with known vulnerabilities.

What to do:
Review your installed programs and remove any unfamiliar or unnecessary ones. If you don’t remember installing something, it may have arrived bundled with another download.

2. Delete Old Files and Clear Temporary Data

Downloads folders, duplicate photos, and temporary system files tend to increase quietly over time. Focus on removing old installers and ZIP files, duplicate or outdated documents, and temporary files and caches

If you’re using a Bitdefender security plan, tools like OneClick Optimizer can automatically identify and clean up unnecessary files, browser caches, and system clutter in just a few clicks.

3. Review Startup Programs

If your computer takes a long time to boot, you may have too many startup apps.

Disable non-essential apps that launch automatically and keep only what you truly need, including your security software.

4. Update Your Operating System and Apps

Attackers often exploit outdated software to compromise devices.

Updates patch known security flaws, improves stability and performance of your device, and fixes bugs that can be exploited.

Best practice:
Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and frequently used apps whenever possible.

5. Run a Full Malware Scan

Even if your computer seems fine, malware doesn’t always make itself obvious. Some threats quietly run in the background, slowing down your device, stealing data, or exposing you to scams.

As part of Clean Up Your Computer Month, running a malware scan is essential.

If you use a Bitdefender security plan

Bitdefender security plans include multiple tools designed to detect and remove threats:

Quick Scan – Checks the most vulnerable areas of your system
System Scan – Performs a deep scan of your entire device
Rescue Environment – Removes malware that attempts to hide before the operating system starts

If you don’t have a paid security solution

You can still check your device using Bitdefender’s free tools, which are a solid starting point for basic protection:

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac – Free, on-demand malware scanning for macOS
Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows – Essential malware protection for Windows users
Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android – Protection from malicious apps on Android devices

These tools are especially useful if you want a quick scan or an extra layer of protection during your clean-up routine.

Bonus: Clean Up Your Passwords to Reduce Account Takeover Risk

Running a malware scan helps remove threats from your device, but account takeovers often begin with weak or reused passwords, especially when credentials are exposed through breaches or malicious software.

While cleaning up your computer, take a moment to review how you access your most important accounts.

Focus on small, high-impact steps:

Replace reused passwords, especially for email and cloud accounts
Update older logins that no longer meet current security standards
Remove saved credentials for apps or services you no longer use

Instead of trying to remember complex passwords, a trusted tool that generates strong, unique credentials can help reduce the risk of account takeover without adding friction to your daily routine. Create stronger, unique passwords in seconds with the Bitdefender Password Generator or opt for a fully-fledged password manager to handle every step.

6. Review Browser Extensions and Settings

Our browsers accumulate extensions that not only track browsing activity and slow down page loading, but also introduce privacy or security risks.

Remove extensions you no longer use and keep only trusted add-ons. If your browser behaves strangely, resetting its settings can help restore performance and security.

7. Back Up Important Files

Cleaning up isn’t just about deletion. it’s also about protecting what matters.

Make sure you back up important documents, personal photos and videos, and work or school files. Use an external drive or a secure cloud service, and verify that your backups actually work. This step can help prevent data loss from hardware failure, ransomware, or accidental deletion.