Cleaning/Optimizing XP

Hey guys/gals,

It's been a couple years since I've dabbled with XP, as such, I haven't really followed the latest tweaking/cleaning/optimizing utilities. I need to clean up a computer at work, and was wondering what type programs you suggest.

I just want to do a "one fell swoop" type of a thing. perhaps a CCleaner, a couple spyware removals, remove some programs (probably use Revo), and defragment.

Let me know if there are any magical solutions for me.

Thanks!

 

You could also open up msconfig and disable any unnecessary/unwanted background apps, if you have yet to do that.

I'm sure there will be more suggestions to come...

 

Yes, I plan on doing that as well.

I forgot to add, I planned on using SuperAntiSpyware to clean spyware/adware crap, and jkDefrag for my fragmentation bidnazz, I'm not sure if these are optimal for XP, but they seam to work well in Vista.

I assume CCleaner's registry cleaning function will be sufficient (I don't want anything too aggressive).

 

Best thing to do - reinstal XP.

On my old XP laptop, I tried celaning it up, its sstill slow, but I can't be bothered to reinstal XP as I use my Vaio.

But CCleaner will be ideal for your needs.
Possibly a defrag too.

 

Yeah, I'd love to do a clean install.

...but in the middle of Tax season (we do taxes), I hesitate taking this machine completely offline, when I'm not too familiar with how to restore all of the databases and data related to the specific tax programs.

 

Ok.
CCleaner - temp files, and defrag may be a good idea.

 

Easiest and most efficient way of optimizing ANY OS:

ctrl+alt+del => processes, Google every single one of them and shut down all those not neccessery.

 

Not quite - google doesn't tell you what's hidden under say svchost - process explorer will help here.

But googling processes doesn't quite tell you where they originate.

 

that's one thing i hate in XP, in vista, you can right click then choose "show location folder" and it will show you where the process originates from, and it will be highlighted in the window that opens.

 

Nice - didn't know that, thanks! - + Rep

But:
Still useless for svchost - that process is basically a shell for smaller "things" - you need the Sysinternals Process Explorer here.

 

You can see all the copies of svchost and what services they are running by typing "tasklist /svc" in a command window.

or of course Sysinternals Process Explorer

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

 

Which I mentioned twice before (the process explorer)

I think its the better tool compared to the command line (another thing I didn't know you could do, I knew about cmd) - it allows real time monitoring

 

Yeah well here is what I would do in your case:

1- Like I said, shut down all processes that are not needed, and prevent them from starting automatically.
2- Ditch my current Antivirus software (if it was Norton or even Kaspersky) and go for a lighter version like Norton gamer (though I have my doubts about this one) or Eset's NOD32.
3- Delete all junk programs / files etc..
4- *MANUALLY* clean the registry after you delete programs (download a program called registry crawler) as registry scanners are mostly useless and do harm more than good, I don't recommend them. for example you deleted a program called fifa 2008, search registry for related tags such as "EA SPORTS" or "FIFA" and then delete these entries.
5- customize heavily used applications like Firefox, media player, Winamp etc.. to make them use less memory.
6- Follow this guide, for further optimization:
http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks6.htm
7- defrag

and like someone said earlier, best thing = backup and, reinstall OS. (worth the time)

good luck

 

+1 more for re-install of OS...

 

Problem is the OP does not want to reinstal at the moment -and has a valid reason too.

 

Probably the best utility to keep your Windows fit is
Advanced system care:
www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

Try it! It is free and works great!

 

Thanks Det, it is true. Reinstall is not an option until tax season is over...unless something very bad happened.

On another note, I just got some more ram for one of our machines, so I'm going to take the old and slap it in the machine we're speaking about...should help as well.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, I will supplement my original plan of attack with what you've added.

Cheers!

 

More RAM will normall help - depending on previous RAM.

 

True true...they are both older machines, so barring bad ram, which I do not think is the case, the RAM should be compatible and help a bit.

 

My OS 'optimization' routine when I fix my friends' machine is always like the following, and it has not failed me so far.

(1) Uninstall all junk applications.

(2) Run a disk cleanup. The windows default utility works pretty well, else use ccleaner.

(3) Run a chkdsk /r once since it is unlikely to have ever been done by the owner before. This will clear up filesystem errors before the virus scan and defrag.

(4) Run a full virus scan with the free edition of Avast. Or Kaspersky, if the owner wants to buy the full version.

(5) Run a spyware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-malware and superanti-spyware.

(6) Defrag the disk(s) completely. Most of the time I find the disks heavily fragmented because the owner never bothered to defrag, and the MFT is also in pieces. Need a fast and heavy-duty defragger, so download, install and run the trial version of Diskeeper 2009 Professional. Run it in automatic mode until it clears up the disk. Run a boot-time defrag if necessary.

(7) Leave the registry alone. *Never* use a registry optimizer/cleaner/whatever. If you really insist on messing with the registry, back it up first, and then search for the program keys manually using the registry's search function, and delete as applicable. Rarely do I have to do this.

(8) Update windows/microsoft applications.

(9) Check for new drivers and update if required.

These steps can be time-consuming, but they've always worked pretty well for me, as long as the hardware was alright and Windows wasn't corrupted beyond salvage.