What is the best Win optimisation software

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Esterpester

21 posts

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#69527 10-Oct-2010 06:36

Hi All,

It's that time of year when spring cleaning needs to be done and slow computers need some love and affection.

Can anyone tell me what the best optimisation and cleaning software is. I run a Vista laptop and 7 desktop.

Thoughts, ideas and experiences appreciated.

Virtual hugs

Ester

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#390118 10-Oct-2010 11:55

What do you not like about the built in Windows utilities that can do this for you? They serve well enough for a lot of users.

I have installed tools that I use and find very competent, but as to whether they are "the best" (always shy away from that term..it's so subjective) I wouldn't know.

They work well on my PC, and I know how to use them, and they're reliable. That makes them the best for me.

boby55

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#390120 10-Oct-2010 12:02

Esterpester: Hi All,

It's that time of year when spring cleaning needs to be done and slow computers need some love and affection.

Can anyone tell me what the best optimisation and cleaning software is. I run a Vista laptop and 7 desktop.

Thoughts, ideas and experiences appreciated.

Virtual hugs

Ester

The BEST optimization is format and reinstall windows. But it sounds as if you don't want to do this.

IMO the windows Tools are fine

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#390127 10-Oct-2010 12:22

The second best optimisation is not install anything you don't need. Not even to try.

Most importantly, don't install browser toolbars. And if you install things with toolbars (like Skype), disable the add-on/toolbar.

Next you could just use the built-in Windows Defrag utility. It will do a good job anyway.

Do not use Registry Cleaners.

Esterpester

21 posts

Geek

#390173 10-Oct-2010 15:29

freitasm:

Do not use Registry Cleaners.

Why not ?

Hugs

Ester

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#390180 10-Oct-2010 16:25

Because the benefits are minimal, and some may even remove registry entries that are actually required to keep the system running.

I have seen a copy of Office stop working because a registry cleaner was used. It removed some entries it deemed "unnecessary" which were in fact very much required for Office to work.

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#390379 11-Oct-2010 10:54

I've used registry cleaners before. Lots of users probably have. (Lots, including self, have had problems as a result, too.)
The problems are usually as a result of the user not really understanding the significance of entries that are to be cleaned, and some cleaners are a little more aggressive than others, in other words some might detect a valid - even a vital - entry as an orphaned one, and remove it.
Worst case scenario, Windows won't function. A repair install might be necessary.
Not so worst case, a program loses some or all functionality. The program might need to be reinstalled.

Tutorials can be found around the www on how the registry works. They are not for the faint hearted, but should be within reach of the average user who wants to learn more. I've studied the basics, only, and it serves adequately for my usage.

Cleaners that seldom seem to cause problems include TweakNow, and Ccleaner. Both default to an option to backup the registry before making changes, and this backup is highly recommended. Take note of where the backup is to be made.

You don't give much away. Why do you want to spring clean, and is your computer noticeably slower than you think it should be? Cleaning the registry will, at best, make a rather small difference. The largest improvement is likely to be from preventing un-needed programs starting with Windows.

BartManGeek

187 posts

Master Geek

#390392 11-Oct-2010 11:19

In order of increasing cost:
1. Defrag $Free
2. Install additional RAM $CheapAsBro/Sis
3. Install SSD and restore system image to SSD $expensive but oh_so_worth_it

Spending $$ on software to 'optimise' Windows is like putting water in your petrol tank to improve your mileage.

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Esterpester

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Geek

#390419 11-Oct-2010 12:11

BartManGeek: In order of increasing cost:
1. Defrag $Free
2. Install additional RAM $CheapAsBro/Sis
3. Install SSD and restore system image to SSD $expensive but oh_so_worth_it

Spending $$ on software to 'optimise' Windows is like putting water in your petrol tank to improve your mileage.

Thank you for this. I am currently researching SSD's.

If you don't mind may I tap your knowledge a little on this. I want to buy a Netbook that I have seen that has a 3g card slot. I then want to put my voip phone on it ( it has b/tooth too).

The HDD is 160gb. Can I put a 250 gb SSD in. ?

Should I start a new thread for this ?

Hugs

Eszter

Ragnor

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#390456 11-Oct-2010 13:35

I still think it's often worth having a clean up when you don't want to spend the amount of time needed for a clean format and re-install.

What I typically do is:

1: Uninstall anything not used

2: Use Sysinternals Autoruns to remove things that don't need to be loaded at startup

3: Run ccleaner to remove old log files, clear various system caches, hotfix uninstallers etc

4: Replace programs with faster lighter free alternatives eg: 7zip instead of WinRar and WinZip. Chrome instead of Firefox, Thunderbird instead of Outlook Express/Windows Mail etc.

5: Install SmartDefrag or MyDefrag (if Windows XP), note: Vista and 7 do their own scheduled defrags already so this is not needed.

gehenna

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#390468 11-Oct-2010 14:00

I find CCleaner usually does all I need/want in that it clears the registry of dead links, and cleans logs/temp files out. If you need any work done beyond that then you're doing something wrong.

mentalinc

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#390533 11-Oct-2010 15:46

Agree on:

Reinstall windows
defrag
more ram

remove autoruns that are not needed

Do them all

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geekiegeek

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#390547 11-Oct-2010 16:31

This is one reason I always keep my data on a seperate drive from my OS. That way its easy to reformat and reinstall if it starts to slow down or there are other issues. Also helps with upgrades to a new PC.