computer cleaner

I want a software program that I can run from time to time to clean up my pc. I was looking a Speedy PC Pro. Are there any software programs out there that are not scams that can actually clean and speed up your pc that can be trusted not to load you down with more malware?

 

CCleaner is a pretty safe program to use.

I personally don't recommend to use the registry cleaner section, as the Windows registry really doesn't need any "cleaning". But the file cleaner section pretty much removes all the unneeded junk from your system.

 

P.S. further info on CCleaner: you can also use it to easily disable unneeded items from the startup list (Tools | Startup).

 

You are quoting from a thread more than 6 years old, three years before Win 8 was launched. It advocates using StartupCPL, last updated apparently more than 11 years ago. There must surely be more up-to-date advice than this for controlling startups.

 

Microsoft's Autoruns work real good and used regularly gives a good foundation of what normally runs on an individual's computer. A fairly extensive list. It can help spot new programs that may be causing new symptoms. Startup Cpl has a smaller list but is also helpful when used regularly to see what the user has installed to start automatically. I have found malware with startup Cpl under one section listed as /user/appdata/temp/kshdferui.exe more than once. Note- the random characters. Knowing I don't normally have anything loaded from /appdata/ sets off a flag as not wanted. These programs can help one learn what's normal for their own computer.

 

I use WinPatrol and Autoruns. The former is a useful tool for everyone but for the vast majority of users Autoruns is a no-no. If there could be an Autoruns suitable for the man in the street to use then we would start getting somewhere. I don't test anything for misuse of registry keys, life is too short already

 

I do not quite understand what this means. Enabling / disabling startup items (e.g. via CCleaner) means the item is enabled / disabled in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

This is used during Windows startup, and therefore "belongs" to Windows, not MSconfig.

So what does StartupCPL do differently?

 

Just out of curiosity I downloaded and installed StartupCPL, then ran it.

It also changes HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, but also maintains some additional registry entries. Which makes it incompatible with MSconfig!

 

On Vista and Win 7 disabling a startup using CCleaner, will switch msconfig to selective startup. Never used Win 8, but I suspect the same.

The problem from what I understand is- would arise if a disabled startup is uninstalled. Could result in a grubby install.

I'd use WinPatrol.

Sorry, can't experiment on the reg key(s) as I'm on O SX.

Cheers..

 

@moriarty
what a cool smiley; quaks me up