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Even an experienced PC user can know the best practice and still ignore it. In a PCWorld feature published September 23, 2026, tech journalist Jon Martindale described eight habits he has not managed to break—from leaving 38,000 emails unread to delaying troubleshooting. They are his personal examples, not a survey or a universal list. Some could put files or reliability at risk; others are simply choices about workflow and appearance.
Which of these habits matter most?
The eight examples fall into different categories. Backups and keeping software current can affect data protection and maintenance. Putting off diagnosis can leave a problem unresolved. The remaining examples—how you transfer files, set mouse sensitivity, manage email, or arrange a desktop—depend more on your preferences and workflow.
| Habit | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Leaving a large email backlog | Mostly a workflow issue; important messages can be harder to spot. |
| Delaying graphics-driver and BIOS updates | Updates may address relevant fixes, compatibility, or security needs; there is no universal BIOS update schedule established here. |
| Using a cable to transfer phone files | A convenience-versus-time trade-off, not inherently a mistake. |
| Buying a new drive for every Windows reinstall | A fresh drive does not replace a backup you have checked and can restore. |
| Keeping mouse DPI high for every task | A personal feel and control preference. |
| Restarting only when the PC slows | May mean you notice symptoms late; a restart schedule is not established as a cure for slowdowns. |
| Putting off troubleshooting | Unresolved faults can persist or make it harder to identify what changed. |
| Keeping a cluttered desktop | Primarily an organization or aesthetic issue for Martindale, not a demonstrated performance problem. |
1. Leaving 38,000 emails unread
Martindale says his inbox contains 38,000 unread emails. That number describes his own inbox, not a typical PC user. A huge unread count can become background noise: if everything is marked unread, the counter no longer helps distinguish what needs attention.
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If you are missing messages, start with a small system rather than trying to process the entire backlog at once. Use filters or folders for recurring mail, and review the messages that matter on a schedule you can maintain. If the unread counter is not interfering with your work, clearing it may be a preference rather than a necessary PC fix.
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2. Putting off graphics-driver and BIOS updates
Martindale reported that his graphics drivers were last updated in early 2024 and that he last flashed his BIOS in late 2023. Those dates refer to his system as described in a September 2026 feature; they are not recommended update intervals.
Microsoft recommends keeping Windows and other software current. Check for relevant graphics-driver updates through the PC or graphics-card maker, and follow the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s instructions for BIOS updates. A BIOS update is not a routine task with one schedule that suits every computer: consider one when the manufacturer identifies a fix, compatibility need, or security issue that applies to your system. Read the model-specific instructions before updating.
For Windows update and security guidance, see Microsoft’s guidance on keeping a computer secure at home.
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3. Using a cable to move files from phone to PC
Martindale uses a USB-C-to-A cable to transfer files from his phone to his PC. He finds it convenient even though he considers the transfers slow. That is a personal trade-off, not evidence that wired transfer is inherently wrong or that a wireless option will be faster.
Choose based on the devices you have, the size and urgency of the transfer, and what is convenient for you. If speed matters, compare the options available on your phone and PC with the files you actually need to move; the feature does not provide controlled speed comparisons.
4. Buying a new drive whenever Windows is reinstalled
Martindale buys a fresh storage drive when reinstalling Windows to reduce the chance of losing files, then keeps the older drives. The more reliable lesson is to make a separate backup and verify it before reinstalling. A new drive can hold a backup, but merely buying one does not confirm that the important files are copied or recoverable.
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CISA recommends backing up to an external hard drive or a vetted cloud service. Whichever you choose, make sure the backup is complete and that you can restore the files you need before you erase or reinstall Windows. For an external drive, CISA advises storing it safely when idle and disconnecting it when it is not actively backing up, so ransomware on the PC is less able to reach it.
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CISA’s recommendations are in How to Protect the Data that is Stored on Your Devices.
5. Keeping mouse DPI high for every task
Martindale says he uses about 2,400 DPI and likes the feel. He also describes 800–1,200 DPI as common among professional PC gamers, but that comparison is his description, not an independently established benchmark here. Neither range is a universal target.
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Mouse sensitivity is personal. Adjust it for the game or task, your screen, available desk space, and how much control feels comfortable. If a setting makes precise movement difficult, try a lower sensitivity; if it feels slow, change it to suit your use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Restarting only after the PC slows down
Martindale says he usually puts his PC to sleep and restarts it only after weeks, when he notices network, video, or browser performance degrading. That is an account of his experience, not proof that a particular restart schedule prevents slowdowns.
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Use symptoms to decide what to investigate instead of assuming every slowdown needs a restart. Microsoft lists slow startup or shutdown, low storage, frequent fan noise, and consistently high CPU, memory, or disk use as signs to check PC health. These symptoms do not, by themselves, mean the computer must be replaced. Microsoft’s Windows performance troubleshooting guide provides steps for common problems.
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7. Putting off troubleshooting
Martindale describes unresolved boot behavior, a flickering monitor, and sluggish startup, but the cause of those problems is not established. The practical risk of waiting is that symptoms continue and the original trigger may become harder to identify—not that any one suspected component is necessarily to blame.
- Write down what happens, when it started, and whether it occurs every time.
- Check the straightforward causes first, such as loose cables and recent hardware, software, or settings changes.
- For persistent performance issues, follow Windows diagnostics or troubleshooting guidance and consult the PC or component maker when the fault is hardware-specific.
Microsoft’s performance guide is a starting point for common Windows slowdown symptoms.
8. Letting desktop folders and icons pile up
Martindale says he has accumulated project folders and calls his desktop chaotic, while describing the impact for himself as mostly aesthetic. A cluttered desktop may make it harder to find things, but this example is not evidence that desktop icons are slowing down a PC.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf the clutter gets in your way, group active projects in a few clearly named folders and move completed work elsewhere. If you can find what you need, there is no technical requirement to keep the desktop pristine.
What to change first
Start with the habits that can affect files or leave a real fault unattended: verify a backup before reinstalling Windows, install relevant updates according to manufacturer guidance, and investigate persistent symptoms rather than letting them accumulate. Tackle the inbox, transfer method, mouse settings, restart routine, and desktop layout only where they cause friction for you.
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