What are these things and how to get rid of things I don't need

Hi All.
What program can you recommend to me that will whoosh [tech term] thru my ancient computer and take out useless things, and improve where needed?
I do defrag, use ccleaner, scan, and try to be responsible computer owner within my limits. [my limits are large]
I still use this computer often, esp. as I can't figure out how to move my million or so bookmarks on to the newer one. The main idea here is to optimize space, lose the stuff that is only taking up memory space. I have 24 GB free space and 13GB used. Don't know if that is good or bad.
I have a thing in my download file called "jxpiiinstall.exe" which is a java thingy I can't get rid of. I have a scary thing called "MSE install.exe" I can't get rid of.
I have something called a 'windows xp self extracting cabinet'. If I clic on it I worry xp will kill itself. What the hey are these and do I need them?
Thanks for any input. Please talk in simple terms.
alterintel

 

If you're running Firefox, go to Bookmarks -> Show All Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Export Bookmarks to HTML and choose an accessible location to save the file to. Then on the new computer go the same route and choose to import. The structure should import intact.

IE has a similar feature.

 

It would greatly help to know what brand and model of computer you have. If you're mostly worried about disk space, replacement hard drives are now very inexpensive.

 

Which Windows OS and Web Browser are you using?

 

Mdonah,
So clear and concise! Civilian language and step by step; which is what is needed for a mature gal who didn't know from computers not that long ago. Thank you.
Alterintel

 

Eldon,
windows xp prof, just upgraded to serpac3, which I think has slowed me down. Browser is Firefox always. So what are these strange things on my computer?
allterintel

 

mdonah, I may have thanked you too soon.:-D What I am not understanding in regard to how to transfer my million bookmarks from computer a to computer b is: how will computer b know where the bookmarks are saved to? If I save them on computer a; how exactly do they get to computer b, which won't know what files I have on a? Sorry I don't understand.
Alterintel

 

Transfer the saved HTML file from PC A to PC B with a memory stick/flash drive. Save the file to the Desktop. Open Mozilla Firefox. Click Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Import Bookmarks from HTML... and navigate to the file on the Desktop.

 

Eldon,
I was hoping to find a way that didn't require a flash drive. When I upload to computer b will I be prompted to make a file or something?
Also, do you know what the strange things are on my computer [that I referred to in earlier posts]? Is there a program I can download to get rid of stuff and tune up I guess you'd say?
alterintel

 

The only way you're going to be able to transfer the bookmarks/favorites is with a flash drive or external hard drive. I keep my bookmarks/favorites backups on an external hard drive. I was able to import my FF bookmarks from Vista to Win 8.1 this way.

No, you won't be asked to create a file. You will have already created the file with computer "A" and you'll import that file to computer "B".

 

Is there someone who could tell me what the things are that I asked about originally and also suggest a program that could get rid of unnecessary things automatically and 'tune up' the computer? The program would have to do these things as I don't know how to.

alterintel

 

Firstly, download and run CCleaner. Leave the settings at the default.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ccleaner_standard.html

Secondly, run the built-in Disk Defragmenter. On the Start Menu > All Programs, click Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

jxpiiinstall.exe - This is to install Java which you don't need. Delete it.

MSE install.exe - This is to install Microsoft Security Essentials. If it's installed, or if you have another security program, you can delete it.

windows xp self extracting cabinet - Leave this alone.

 

You say that you recently upgraded to XP SP3 and you think it may have slowed your computer down. How much RAM (not disk space) does your computer have? I know from one of your previous posts that you have plenty of free space on your 40GB hard drive.

 

He/she never mentioned the model of computer, as far as I could find, when searching.
All I found was it was purchased 2nd hand many years ago.
I suspect if it is very old, there is a limit on the amount of RAM that can be installed.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=292490
He/she was told to increase the RAM a few times.

Eventually old computers have to be e-cycled. As much as you like a computer, it was never designed to last for a decade or longer running Windows.
Sometimes linux is a better fit for old hardware with limited upgrading.

Because it has a 40GB hard drive, I suspect that computer is from the early 2000's. (Two computers in the house from around 2004 have 40GB hard drives; the newer computers have much larger hard drives).

 

Thanks Eldon. This is all I wanted to know, except for is there a tune-up kind of program that can eliminate the useless and make sure all is as it should be, or is that what you all are here for?lol
I defrag daily, run piriform's cleaner, scan so on. I try.
alterintel

 

Plodr,you are right; it has a larger hard drive than the original, and has had about 3 memory upgrades. There is a limit to what it was built to do and I don't want to go beyond that. I have another one for that. But this one is still serviceable and for someone like me the windows xp is very easy to use.
I am a lady, btw.
Alterintel

 

As suggested by JoeRay12, do a system scan with Crucial. If you need further advice, post it.
There are programs that claim to optimize Windows XP but, if your not truly familiar with them, you will run into trouble. If you really want one, kindly confirm.

What exactly are you using the Windows XP PC for? Cleaning and defragmenting the hard disc and registry doesn't come close to a fresh install.