My Windows install is ten years old, and a handful of maintenance habits are why it still runs like new

For the past decade, the author has been operating Windows 11 on the same computer without ever needing to wipe and reformat. Their system remains in excellent condition because they keep it light and maintain a rigorous maintenance routine. The primary reason for its smooth operation is their consistent system management practices, including diligent file organization, limiting app installations, and thorough post-task cleanup.

The author treats their local system drive as a dedicated workspace for work-related tasks, avoiding the accumulation of unnecessary apps and files. They strive to maintain a clean and lean drive, much like they would tidy up their home to avoid embarrassment from guests. This approach includes using secondary drives to store miscellaneous items, such as browser history, downloads, and old files, ensuring the system drive stays uncluttered.

In addition to their primary drive, the author employs various tools to manage and clean up their system. They regularly clear storage space using Storage Sense and visually identify space-consuming files with WinDirStat. For more comprehensive cleanup, they utilize the VoidTools Everything search utility, which enables quick access to files and paths across connected drives.

The author emphasizes the importance of keeping all system components up to date, including Windows updates, GPU drivers, and other hardware drivers. They recommend pausing updates occasionally to assess potential issues before installing them. While they trust Microsoft's PC Manager to streamline cleanup tasks, they also check for BIOS/UEFI updates quarterly, carefully researching each update to minimize the risk of unforeseen problems.

By adhering to these maintenance habits, the author has successfully kept their Windows 11 system running like new for ten years.