system cleanup

[unicorn]

what is the best preferably free programme to clean up your pc, as in get rid of junk that may be cluttering it up?

[porshiepoo]

I needed to do the same so I googled 'freeware' and I downloaded loads of free software.
Theres all sorts of cool stuff and I now have 1 called rambooster, a programme called 'crap cleaner', registry repair pro and the AVG free antivirus which is so much simpler to use than the Norton one I had installed.

It's all free and I think it's a better way to go. So Google 'Freeware' and have a look in the different sites - it's not just system utilities you can get, theres cool games and loads more.

[MadPict]

Nothing like cleaning up your system by adding loads more rubbish to it.....:D

[octane]

System Mechanic is an awesome multifunctional program and its well worth the price.

http://www.iolo.com/sm/

A lot of this freeware junk comes bundled with adware/spyware and it does more harm than good especially the registry programs.

[pultneytooner]

Try here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/northrup_restoreperf.mspx) to clean up pc. hope this helps

[unicorn]

I was looking at the backup options and when I go to system tools I dont have a backup option? and the xp disk never came with the pc.

[pultneytooner]

I was looking at the backup options and when I go to system tools I dont have a backup option? and the xp disk never came with the pc. Sorry I should have explained, if you don't have a backup function you will have a system restore function, click on that and create a restore point this allows you to restore your computer to the way it was before you started cleaning up, if you so wish.

[unicorn]

Ah thanks pultneytooner I am pretty pc illiterate self taught sadly lol

[pultneytooner]

Ah thanks pultneytooner I am pretty pc illiterate self taught sadly lol
No problem, it's the only way to do it without using a third party software which can be expensive, also most of the "FREE" programs are only trial versions.

[lassieinfife]

I use lavasoft's adaware se..... great fror getting rid of rubbish and tracking cookies

[Dog-eared]

"Ad-Aware SE Personal " and " AVG Free " are good for preventing problems developing and are free.

[luskentyre]

I was looking at the backup options and when I go to system tools I dont have a backup option? and the xp disk never came with the pc.

You should always get the Operating System (XP) on disk when you buy a PC. Where did you buy it from?

As for spyware etc. it's good to use several programs as different ones pick up different things.

I use spybot >>> http://www.safer-networking.org/
adaware >>> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
and the free Microsoft one >>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

[pultneytooner]

You should always get the Operating System (XP) on disk when you buy a PC. Where did you buy it from?

As for spyware etc. it's good to use several programs as different ones pick up different things.

I use spybot >>> http://www.safer-networking.org/
adaware >>> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
and the free Microsoft one >>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Microsoft no longer supply an O.S disk when you buy a new pc, what you get is a restore disk which returns your pc to it's factory settings.

[unicorn]

yes I have a restore disk which I have thought about using on occasion but scared incase I dont save everything I need properly. When I defrag I have 83% free space and pc 4 years old so not bad just a bit slow on startup and shutdown.

[Kaishowing]

As was said earlier, make sure you make a restore point, or a back-up point before running some of these progs....I remember running a free Disk Cleaner prog first and thought it was great....then found out that it had been erasing registry value docs, and system.dll files that it didn't recognize.
Using these free progs can be great and save shedloads of cash, but be wary while you do so!:D

[katarina]

I use ad-aware -not had any complaints and it's fee to download.

[unicorn]

I just wanted to make sure pc wasn't cluttered up with junk files.

[Kaishowing]

Ad-Aware is one of the better spyware progs to use, and as said it's free. I run it at least once every 48 hours.
AVG is another good free prog and is a solid anti-virus checker.
Both are worth having on your HD and using.
If you have Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D, you'll notice there's a small conflict between the progs...but this isn't a problem.