Windows Maintenance

Discussion in 'Software' started by mark59, Jan 8, 2011.

  1. mark59

    mark59 MajorGeek

    Hi

    Can anyone please recommend programme(s) that are good at maintaining Microsoft Windows. I'm looking for something that 1). checks Windows is all OK; 2). reapirs any faults in Windows; 3). gets rid of any junk; 4). optimizes Windows; etc., you get the picture.

    I also need it to be something free not software I need to buy. OK, I know I'm asking for a lot.

    As I suspect some programmes will work better with different versions of Windows - I've got two PCs so need something that works with XP and Vista. I don't necessarily want one that does both, I'm happy to download 2 different ones for the appropriate version of Windows.

    If you reply to my post and recommend anything I'd be really grateful if you'd briefly say why you recommend it.

    Thanks

    mark59
     
    mark59, Jan 8, 2011
    #1
  2. usafveteran

    usafveteran MajorGeek

    CCleaner is a good program to remove temporary files accumulated on the Internet. I've used it for years, and so have many other forum members. You can get it from http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_d4191.html and also watch a tutorial on using it.

    CCleaner also has a registry cleaning module which can be helpful in removing unneeded/obsolete registry entries.
     
    usafveteran, Jan 8, 2011
    #2
  3. rustyjack

    rustyjack MajorGeek

    rustyjack, Jan 8, 2011
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Will try and give a rundown on each numbered question you have.

    1. I would use the inbuilt checker in SFC instructions HERE and Check Disk (chkdsk) HERE as to keep Windows in check for system file errors I dont off hand know of any app to do this.

    but if your PC is working fine then no need to run these at all.

    2. See above

    3. See usafveteran's post, as CCleaner is a great free option for removing junk and I find it a safe application to use and have used it for many many years without any issues.

    4. For optimisers then personally I dont tend to use them but a list of the ones available are HERE and popular options are Advanced SystemCare Free, Advanced WindowsCare v2 Personal, Optimizer XP


    and a guide to read HERE
     
    DavidGP, Jan 8, 2011
    #4
  5. mark59

    mark59 MajorGeek

    Hi

    Thanks for your advice.

    1). I think my PCs are OK. I posted another thread before Christmas about my PC with MS Windows XP running slowly. I'd carried out all the checks recommended on Major Geeks to check for malware - my PC was clean. I then used recommendations, given in the thread I've just referred to, to reduce the amount of applications that run at Startup. My Windows XP PC is still slow despite doing all these things so that's want prompted this thread - to see if there was any software that could "have a good look at Windows and check it out".

    3. I already use CCleaner - I use it regularly and I keep it (and all other software on my PCs) up-to-date.

    4. May I ask why you don't you optimisers. I aleady have and use one you mentioned IObit's Advanced SystemCare (just to labour the point - I run it regularly and keep it up-to-date).

    Thanks

    mark59
     
    mark59, Jan 8, 2011
    #5
  6. mark59

    mark59 MajorGeek

    Hi

    Thanks! I already know of, have, keep up-to-date, and regularly use CCleaner to clean-up my PC and to clean the registry.

    Thanks

    mark59
     
    mark59, Jan 8, 2011
    #6
  7. mark59

    mark59 MajorGeek

    mark59, Jan 8, 2011
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Yes sure you can ask, reason is that I have found that Windows 7 tends to look after itself ok, and with 6GB of ram I dont see any speed loss in the applications I use.

    I would also however much rather manually adjust or tweak the OS over using applications to do this, I've been a tweaker or tinkerer for many years, so like to actually know what I'm adjusting over what an app is doing.


    Have a look at these sites under the TweakXP, Vista and Win7 (although there are some tweaks around that actually do nothing for performance in the likes of Vista/Win7 whereas they did with XP)

    Blackviper's site HERE is good for looking at the Service list, but do note that you can never reall yknow if you are using a service or not, so disabling it may cause an application to fail, so write down what you are adjusting and do a small number at a time to test stability.

    I do see the benefits to users who do not wish to edit the registry or turn off services etc in those or some of those applications as its ease of use.
     
    DavidGP, Jan 8, 2011
    #8

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