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WARNING: Don't clean your keyboard with alcohol as described in the Microsoft article.

Anonymous
2011-03-29T01:48:31+00:00

There is an article on this site that gives instructions for cleaning a computer, inside and out.  Some of the information is helpful, but the instructions say to clean the keyboard and it's keys with rubbing alcohol on several cotton swabs.  Using alcohol to clean your keyboard can actually damage it, so I wouldn't suggest it.  I used this method on my keyboard and the alcohol ate into the keys, creating a sticky mess.  It wasn't noticible at first and I thought I just needed to clean it more.  By the time I realized what was happening, some of the letters were coming off and some of the keys now have depressions or deformations as a result.  The stickyness seems to be permanent, although it isn't quite as sticky as it was immediately after I cleaned it and gave it time to dry.  I will now have to replace my wireless keyboard because of this damage.

Also, the article doesn't give any information about protecting your computer from an electric shock caused by touching the internal components.  Everyone needs to know how to ground themselves, manually or with a wrist strap, before ever opening the case of their PC.  Static electricity can ruin your computer beyond repair, so I would suggest looking for another article with better instructions, including grounding. 

Too bad I can't let Microsoft know any of this without paying for support.  I don't really need support, but I can't find any way of contacting them with my comments.  I hope you find this before you try to clean your computer as their article directs.  At the end of the article is this statement:  "Article adapted from an original article written by Alyson Munroe."

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-04-16T07:54:28+00:00
    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2011-03-29T02:08:46+00:00

    You may well have a valid point, but without a link to the article that says you should use alcohol, it is moot.

    10 people found this answer helpful.
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