clean up PC

[Uraken]

Hi all my wifes pc is an bit of a state and i want to clean it up get rid of old programs make sure the registry is all ok etc anyone recommend any free progs that will do a good job of getting its performance back?

 

p.s I'm well aware of fdisk and format thank you....

[_Bat_]

I am not really aware of any programs that will do this for you... i've always believed it to be a bit of a manual job along with the common programs such as ewido anti spyware and a good defrag etc.

 

When teachers come to me with a slow laptop at school, I tend to go through the process list to check for obvious spyware, remove all unnecessary programs from the add/remove programs list, clear up the desktop and start menu, clear up the startup list in msconfig and defrag the machine at least twice.

[_Bat_]

oh and not to mention clearing the cache and cookies..

[Uraken]

thanks mate done all those plus a few other tricks my main problem is getting rid of programs from add remove programs which have been deleted or just won't remove plus i want to clean up registry

[Dos_Box]

I like CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) a dammed useful little util with many features.

[Uraken]

this will nicely thanks dos_box

[mac_shinobi]

windows clean up utility :

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

 

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/MSICLEAN.htm

 

ccleaner is good for registry just like registry mechanic.

 

Also you say performance but do you mean its slow connecting or loading pages or you get blank pages when using IE or you just mean performance in general ?

[maniac]

One thing I always tend to do it look at the 'run' list in the registry and remove unneccessary programs from it.

 

You get lots of rubbish such as ituneshelper, quicktime etc. etc. in there that aren't really needed. Might only be small programs, but every little helps!

 

Would only recommend doing this if you know your way around the registry, otherwise leave well alone!

 

Mike.

[tosca925]

Back it up and then reformat..............its the only way ;-)

[kingswood]

Back it up and then reformat..............its the only way ;-)

 

My thoughts exactly