1. My favorite maintenance tool is CCleaner. Formally known as Crap Cleaner, it does exactly that. You have control over specific things you might want to keep, like browser cookies, via a simple checkbox list.
I run this weekly at least; sometimes more frequently. I also use the registry tool on occasion, but unless you're having problems that aren't resolved by the rest of the tools in this post, it's probably safer to leave this alone.
2. Windows comes with a defragmenting tool built in, but it takes forever and does a mediocre job. Auslogics or Defraggler (from the makers of CCleaner) do a much better, quicker job. This probably doesn't need to be done more than once a month. I wait until I'm done for the day, then check "shut down PC after defragmentation" and let it roll.
3. By now, you must have some kind of antivirus installed. I've been using Avast for many years with only minor hiccups (software bugs, not virus compromises) and will stick with it because it doesn't hose my system like the Symantec (Norton) programs do. I'm also hearing great things about the free Microsoft Security Essentials. If you're wary of a third-party developer, this might be the ticket.
Those are the basics. You can set them all up to run a full scan/defrag/cleaning while you sleep so that on Monday morning, you're starting with a fresh system.
Two more quick tips:
SugarSync: Downloaded a song at home and would like to have it available at work instantly? SugarSync does that. 5 GB of storage for free and you can access it from any of your computers or smartphones. Definitely quicker than carrying a USB key everywhere.
Google Chrome: If you use Internet Explorer, the most recent version is not bad. Firefox (my favorite) has more features but can run a little slower. Google Chrome was built for speed. If your speed issues revolve around web browsing, try Chrome.
2 comments:
At the computer shop where I work, we've been installing Microsoft Security Essentials on people's computers whenever we can; it's free, dead simple, autoupdates, and isn't a system hog. Among the best programs Microsoft has published.
The other big tool we like is Malware Bytes Antimalware, which cleans out a big chunk of the malware out there. Run it in the Windows safe mode and you've got a better than even chance of getting rid of what ails your computer.
Thanks, JD - I've used Malwarebytes to un-hose my parent's system. Actually, it was simple enough that I just sent them the link and they were able to figure it out on their own. Good stuff!
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