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What tools/utilities do you rely on to keep your Windows computer running like you just installed it yesterday?
Freeware, shareware, or commercial products are fine. I've read this SU question and while it's similar, I'm specifically looking at utilities that help you optimize your OS environment, not generalized tips such as "Install more RAM". | |||||||||||
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No matter how many tools I use, the only way I can ever seem to get the "freshly installed" feeling back is to do a fresh install. But tools like CCleaner and Defraggler help. | |||
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VMware Workstation. Most of the stuff that slows my machine down is software I try out once and then uninstall. I install it in my test VM and if I like it, I install it on the host. If not, rollback to snapshot. | ||||
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MyDefrag - It used to be "JkDefrag", but they changed the name for version 4.0. I don't think I've seen a better defragmenter. CCleaner - Everyone knows what this is, but for the benefit of those who might not know, it is a program that can clean your cache, registry and a whole host of other files that can clog up your system. Sandboxie - A program that puts any given program into a rubber-room so it can't mess up the rest of your system. For example, I don't run a web-browser on Windows without putting it in a sandbox. Common sense - probably the single most important tool of all! | ||||
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I try to keep everything neat with the tools John T mentioned: CCleaner and Defraggler. It also helps to run something like MalwareBytes AntiMalware on a regular basis for peace of mind. Besides that, I make sure I run something like Driver Cleaner whenever I install new graphics or other drivers. You can grab Microsoft's AutoRuns to check your startup applications and services too. There's lots of stuff you can run "on demand" instead of automatically at boot up to free up resources. | |||
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Aside from CCleaner, I also have Revo Uninstaller to help completely uninstall applications I have installed on my system, as well as Sandboxie, which I use when I try out different software and games on my system. | ||||
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Super User Archive: | ||||
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How about taking a disk image of a cleanly installed system, and restore from that image daily? | ||||
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I just keep my OS on its own drive and blow it away whenever it begins to bother me. :) Oh, and PerfectDisk. | ||||
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I like using SmartDefrag although I wish the scheduling interface allowed a little more flexibility for multiple schedules. Another tool I find useful is Process Monitor | |||
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None. :) Am I the only one that gets good performance on Windows as-is? I have never had the need for such tools (at least not since I switched to Vista). | ||||
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I like nCleaner, it seems to look further than CCleaner for junk, and better at cleaning the registry. Plus you get a few customization options, like disabling unwanted things on Windows, like error reporting and much more. | ||||
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