I want to clean my computer, but I want to know if there are additional steps.

[Ojomojoyolo]

Thank you very much for reading this question. Before you think this is a really stupid question, this is not a question asking how to clean my computer (I have read plenty of guides) but as to what happens next? Will it just turn on as usual? Are there any hardware resets or Windows reinstallations I need to complete? I am planning to take out most of the components to sort cables and clean, so I am just concerned whether or not it needs extra softwarey (for lack of a better word) steps.

Thanks so much in advance! By the way, this is a minor question while at it. Is a rubber ball which you can squeeze to blow dust as good for cleaning computers compared to air cans?

 

[Jwpanz]

Physically cleaning out a PC for dust and hair doesn't require any sort of software of resets. Your main concern should be putting everything back together properly (plugging in cables you unplugged, reseating your GPU, etc.) and cleaning it in a safe area away from ESD possibilities. Wear a wrist strap or occasionally touch a grounded object to protect the components inside.

Again, there's nothing you need to do with software or resetting hardware components. Just turn it off, unplug it from the wall, clean it, plug it back in, and boot it up.

 

[KeelinTy]

Once you take the computer apart, clean it, and put it back together, everything should work as normal unless something happens and kills a piece of hardware which is unlikely if you are careful. Ive taken my system apart and cleaned it many times and once its back together it should work just fine without any issues.
As for the compressed air question, the ball sounds like it wont have as much air pressure to remove all of the dust. I typically use a compressed air can and sometimes a rag with alcohol on it to clean everything and that works pretty good. Just make sure theres no electricity in any of the components and that all the alcohol is completely dry before you plug the components into the system

 

[Ojomojoyolo]

Thank you very much. Perhaps it was common knowledge, but because of that nobody says it explicitly, so it had me really paranoid because I couldn't find the answer. Do you know about the rubber air blower?

 

[Jwpanz]

The little rubber hand-blower will work but compressed air will work much better. The compressed air has the force to push air between the small gaps and really blow away that thin layer stuck to the components.