How do I keep my laptop from overheating?

In order to prevent your laptop from overheating:

Ensure there is nothing obstructing your laptop's heat vents or air intakes--for example, watch out for fabric or stacks of paper too close to the vents.
If the air vents are dusty, clean them using an air duster.
Only use your laptop on a hard, flat surface.
Fully shut down your laptop before placing it in a bag or backpack.
Avoid storing or using your laptop in high-temperature areas for an extended period of time.
Keep pets from using your laptop as a heating pad.

How do I properly shut down my laptop? (PC)

To properly shut down your Windows laptop:

(Optional) To speed up the shutdown process, save and close any open documents or applications before initiating shutdown.
Click the Windows Start button > Power (or power icon) > "Shut Down".
Avoid shutting down by pressing and holding your computer's power button, as this interrupts Windows processes and does not shut down your computer completely.

How do I extend my laptop's battery life?

To maximize your laptop's battery life, follow these best practices:

Optimize your settings. On a PC, use the Battery Saver feature, which can be found by going to Settings > System > Battery. On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.
Dim your screen to the lowest comfortable setting.
Use airplane mode or turn off Wi-Fi if you don't need internet connection.
(Windows 10) Close unused apps and disable utilities:
- Type "See which apps are affecting your battery life" in the search bar and close any apps you aren't using.
- Next, type "See which processes start up automatically when you start Windows" to open the Task Manager Startup tab. Disable utilities related to apps you don't use often--anything with a name like "Download Assistant" or "Helper" is usually safe to disable.
(Mac OS) Search for "Users & Groups" in Finder. Click the "Login Items" tab to find a list of background apps that run when you start your Mac. Remove apps you don't need.