No matter what time of year, there’s always room for improvement when it comes your PC. Isn’t there always something that you could do more often or learn how to do? Here are a few suggestions:

Don't let backing up your data take a back seat. Windows 7 makes it easier, for the simple reason that Backup and Restore backs everything up automatically—set it up once and forget about it. Learn how.

Windows 7 makes it easier to back up your files

The security features in Windows 7 make it super easy to be safer. Action Center aggregates all tasks and notifications about your PC in one central location so you can ensure that everything is running smoothly. From Windows Defender and Windows Firewall to antivirus settings and Backup and Restore, this is the one place to take care of all your security needs. Learn how.

Don't forget about Parental Controls, which can be a family’s best friend. You can decide what programs your kids can use, what games they can play, and even what times they get to use the PC. Learn how.

Parental Controls in Windows 7

To keep kids safe on the Internet, you can use a web-based program like Windows Live Family Safety. If it isn't already installed on your PC, you can download it for free.

Let's face it: having a slow, sluggish system can take the fun out of everything you do on your PC. It's worth taking a few minutes to make sure your PC is performing at its peak.

• Check out the performance tools. A convenient place to assess and adjust your PC’s performance is Performance Information and Tools. To open it, click the Start button , type performance information in the search box, and then click Performance Information and Tools. There you can see your computer’s Windows Experience Index base score and take care of tasks like adjusting power settings, running Disk Cleanup, or adjusting how often files on your PC are indexed.

• Speed up your computer with ReadyBoost. If you’re running a bunch of power-hungry applications, try ReadyBoost, which leverages the extra space on a flash card or USB storage device to speed everything up. It's easy to use, too—when you plug a compatible storage device in, you'll see an AutoPlay dialog box. Just click Speed up my system.

• Try a troubleshooter. Troubleshooters can take a look at your system and tell you if there's anything wrong. They usually even tell you how to fix any problems, too. The performance troubleshooter is especially handy—to get to it, click the Start button , type troubleshooting in the search box, and then click Troubleshooting. Then, in the Troubleshooting window, under System and Security, click Check for Performance issues.
  You can use Troubleshooters in Windows 7 to help solve problems with your PC

From changing themes to changing the font size, Windows 7 includes many ways to make your PC reflect your personal tastes and preferences. You can also make your computer your own by checking out free downloads and gadgets—mini-programs that put information right on your desktop.

Some gadgets are included with Windows 7, and you can download even more. To get gadgets, right-click the desktop and then click Gadgets. Choose one of the available gadgets, or click Get more gadgets online.

Keyboard shortcuts—combinations of two of more keys—can be incredible time-savers because they speed up performing common tasks. Get familiar with them through this list.

For surfing the web with lightning speed, try out One Box in Internet Explorer 9. It's one streamlined place for navigating to websites and starting searches. It has AutoComplete and search suggestions—including visual search results—to get you where you're going faster.

You can enter search terms or web addresses into OneBox

From documents and email messages to pictures and music, everything you need can be stored on your computer. And of course, the more information you have, the harder it is to find exactly what you need. Here are some ways to cut through all that clutter:

• Learn about Libraries. Libraries in Windows 7 sort your files into collections that you can easily name. And some libraries come already set up, such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos.

• Understanding pinning. Being productive means having easy access to the files and programs you use the most. That's where pinning, part of the retooled taskbar, comes in. Pinning sets up a shortcut to your files and programs on your taskbar so you can open them in just a click. All you have to do is drag the icon to your taskbar and it stays there.

  If you're using Internet Explorer 9, you can even pin your favorite websites right to the taskbar and launch them with a single click.

  You can pin programs like Windows Live Hotmail to your taskbar

Who doesn't want to help save the environment? At the same time, who actually turns off their PC every night? You can save energy by setting your computer to sleep mode (and turning off your monitor).

Email is great—but a webcam is even better. Make your communication more complete using a webcam and Windows Live Messenger (you can download it for free).