How do you guys optimize your systems?

[PAB]

Good afternoon,

I just thought I would share with you what methods I use to try and optimize my Vista computer and keep it running to its best potential.
Below are the programs I use and what I use them for:

CCleaner - To get rid of...

Temporary Internet Files
History
Cookies
Recently Typed URLs
Index.dat Files
Last Download Location
Autocomplete Form History
Saved Passwords
Recent Documents
Run
Search Autocomplete
Other Explorer MRUs
Thumbnail Cache
Empty Recycle Bin
Temporary Files
Clipboard
Memory DumpsChjdsk File Fragments
Windows Error Reporting
Windows Event Logs

...along with Applications:

Firefox
Google Chrome (not installed though)
Applications
Internet
Multimedia
Utilities
Windows

I do NOT use the Registry Cleaner.

Glary Utilities - For...

Windows Registry Repair
Windows Registry Defragment
Disk Space Cleanup
Remove Malwares
Erase Privacy History
Hard Disk Defragment
Hard Disk Boot Defragment

AVG - For AntiVirus.

SuperAntiSpyware - For the obvious reasons.

MalwareBytes - For the obvious reasons.

Revo Uninstaller - Because it also gets rid of leftover fragments of uninstalled programs.

Auslogics - Disk Defragmenter because it is a lot quicker than Windows built in Defragmenter and also performs free space optimization.

Auslogics - BoostSpeed because it does indeed quicken my computer.

I run ALL of the above once a week in SAFE MODE.

I just wondered what you guys use to keep your computer like new and if there are things that I should be doing that I am not and things that I am not doing that I should be.

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Follow these easy instructions and you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

As soon as you get home with your computer:

Dont install the antivirus software that pops up with instuctions to install.
Should be done at the end and this software, although probably free for a while,
will cost money down the road and is probably not the best.

Windows updates should be done immediately as you are vulnerable to problems
until updated; be sure to include office updates.

Adobe reader should be updated, the most recent version is a sandbox version which
reduces virus vulnerablity to your PDF files.

This is also the opportunity to download Adobe Flash Player

Download an alertative browser; ie FF or Chrome etc. In the event of problems with IE.

Remove any unwanted program bloat. They will slow up your computer and probably
cost money in the future.

Download your antivirus; Microsoft Security Essentials is suggested.

Make your recovery disc.

Now enjoy the internet.

To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer
ignore, reg cleaners.

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

Download and use PSI, to to be sure that all of your software is up to date
Free Computer Security - Personal Software Inspector (PSI) - Secunia

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...er-performance

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

 

[PAB]

Thanks for your time in replying richc46, it is appreciated.
I will work my way through your suggestions either latter this evening when I get in or tomorrow.
Thanks again.

 

[richc46]

It looks like a lot, but it is very easy. If you have questions we will be here for you.
Happy Surfin

 

[MilesAhead]

I can't resist sharing my technique. I study the issue. Read books on the OS and particular PC hardware. This generally takes 2 years. By then a new PC comes out faster and cheaper, so I just buy that one.

All seriousness aside, I tend to do small less risky clean up and defrag. I'm leary of doing defrags that take 10 hours. To me it's more bang per buck to do 5 15 minute defrags a week. Less wear and tear on the drive. But the key to quicky defrags is nots of free space on the partition. If you are running at 80% used, defrag not only has to work hard, but it won't do much. I like to keep my C: drive at 30% used or less if possible. If you get a docking station with internal drives it's easy to park your data there and keep your system disk at low usage levels.

 

[townsbg]

On windows I turn off unneeded services or other programs that run automatically. You must however be careful with this especially with the windows services. I also agree with the registry tools. Too much risk with too little gain. That's like shooting a gun at your engine to make it your car go faster.

 

[mich]

Welcome
Follow these easy instructions and you will be trouble free for a long time to come.


Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.
l

Rich, why do you suggest not using a reg cleaner, do they do nothing worth while?

 

[richc46]

Mitch,
They do not help to any great extent, but they can mess up your registry.
I am sure, based upon my experience and the experiences of the senior people here, that if you follow my instructions you will be trouble free for years.

 

[MilesAhead]

About the only good reason I found is if a program uses a lot of file associations and doesn't clean up when uninstalling. I only remember one version of CCleaner where I cleaned up all Registry issues and got burned because I didn't make a backup. It had worked flawlessly for so long I took it for granted. Now if I do a Registry cleanup with CCleaner I always save the .reg file and make sure I have a couple of valid Restore Points.

But as Rich noted, you won't see any performance boost. I wouldn't do the Reg clean once a week or anything like that. Mostly if I've uninstalled a few programs. If you run with the same bunch of applications and aren't always downloading and trying new things you can go a long time without a Registry cleanup.

 

[richc46]

I agree with Miles, but forgot to mention, CCleaner is good enough for me to use.