How to maintain a healthy Windows System

[Nighthawk-F117]

Intro

I originally wrote this thread over at the Steam forums. But registering here I didn't think it would do any harm in posting it (with a little bit of editing done). Although I'm sure there are lots of you who know how to do this stuff, there will be a lot who don't. So, enjoy!

Before you start. I seriously recommend backing up all your documents. Things like the ?My Documents? folder, game saves and other program configurations. Nothing should go wrong; but, if does please be prepared. You can also utilise Microsoft Windows System Restore ? always a good idea to do this before you make a major change to your computer.

www.nighthawk-f117.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Is a HTML based version of this guide.

Basic Solutions[/b]nsSimplele Stuff

Keep these things in mind when using your computer.

• Don't open E-Mail attachments from people you don't know, and if you do - be careful, run a virus scan on them before opening.
  
• Don't run files you don't trust, especially if they are just bare .exe files from a dodgy source.
  
• Once you've downloaded a file, run a virus scan on it. Just to make sure, it can't harm you.
  
• If your antivirus tells you you've got a virus in your temp internet files, stop browsing that page immediately. Close all internet pages, clear the temporary internet files and run a full system scan.
  
• Before running a virus scan, clear your temp internet files and clean out the Sun Java Temp folder.
  
• Pay close attention to the task manager, if you see a new process there, and you haven't installed anything - be cautious, it may be legit - but do some checking anyway. Google the process name, and run a virus/adware scan.Windows XP Service Pack 2 2
  If you?re using Windows XP, and don?t have Service Pack 2 installed ? install it!
  

Microsoft?s Top 10 reasons to install Service Pack 2.
You can get it here. Once you?ve downloaded it, Microsoft and I recommend:

• Check here for programs that might behave differently when using Service Pack 2.
  
• Check here for programs that may stop working when using Service Pack 2.
  
• Backup all essential data, My Documents, game save files, program configurations etc...
  
• Do a full system scan for viruses, using all the anti malicious software programs you have. This is covered more in depth below.
  
• Check for special update instructions from your computers manufacturer.
  
• Once you?ve made backups, scanned for threats, and installed. Instantly check for Windows Updates (seeWindows UpdateWindows Update
  Although this will not speed your PC up, it will keep it safe, run Windows Update regularly. (Only works in InOffice Update>Office Update
  Although this will not speed your PC up, it will keep it safe, run Office Update regularly. (Only works in InUpdate Everything Elseverything Elseyou;t tell you where to go to update your programs. But I can tell you. Look through every program you have, and download every available update for it. The programs you have may contain fixes in the program, or security related issues.
  AutoPatcher seems to be a good program for generally updating all installed software (that?s supported, and you have). Although, IDefragmentit.
  Defragment
  Very simple solution, defragment your Hard Drive. This simply rearranges the files in your hard drive into a logical order, meaning your computer will spend less time looking for the files. A simple diagram can be found here.
  To do this, follow the instructions shown in this picture, then highlight the selected drive, and click "Defragment".
  For a better Disk Defragmenter, see PerDisk Cleanup
  Disk Cleanup
  This simple program included with Windows deletes ( / compresses)
  some unused/unnecessary system files, such as:
  • Downloaded Program Files
    
  • Temporary Internet Files
    
  • Offline Web Pages
    
  • Office Set Up Files (If you have it)
    
  • Recycle Bin
    
  • Temporary Files
    
  • WebClient/Publisher Temporary Files
    
  • Compress old files
    
  • Catalog files for the Content Indexer
    

  To use this, follow the steps in this picture. Select the drive, if you have more than one (or of you have several partitions). Then select the options to cleanup, and then press "OK". For more info on getting rid of junk on your computer, cheAdd/Remove Unused Programs Unused Programs

  If you installed a program to try it, and didn't like it. UNINSTALL it, why keep it lying around in your Hard Drive? Or if a program doesn't work, uninstall it. Or if you just plain don't use it for any reaMSconfigit.

  MSconfig - Only for more advanced users

  This is another handy function Microsoft has hidden in Windows. It allows you, among other things to choose which programs load in the taskbar at start-up.

  To use, follow these two pictures:

  One

  Two

  Then, untick the things you don't want to start whenDisable Un-needed Services-needed Services - Only for more advanced users

  I've decided, I was going to make a guide about disabling unneeded services, but I have now decided that it is too big a topic for me to do. So here is the best guide I can find on how to do so.

  Black Viper's Guide to Disabling Services Black Vipers site is currently down.

  Google search bar, tabs, almost no pop ups. Another added bonus, is that there are no ActiveX controls in Firefox. Mozilla's Homepage.

  Download here.

  Once you?ve installed Firefox, you?ll need some plug-ins to make some sites work properly. You can view the essential plug-ins here.

  NEVER Uninstall Internet Explorer, you need it for running WindowsPerfect Disk 7>

  Perfect Disk 7

  This program makes you wonder why you even used the Microsoft Disk Defrragger.

  Among other things, it defrags your HDD(s), and optimizes the files, defrags your system page file, and the master file table. Altogether these things may seem insignificant, but together, they've sped up my PC immensely. The computer now boots in about 4 passings of the loading bar. Perfect Disk 7 is made by Raxco Software

  Download the trial here.

  I really urge you all to buy this software, it's by far the best disk defragCCleanerarket.

  CCleaner

  Great program to remove unneeded files from your computer. It deleted 700MB from mind, and 1.5GB from my friend?s. Also has a basic registry cleaner. Great all round cleaning program. CCleaner Homepage.

  Download RegCleaner[/u].

  RegCleaner

  This great program searches your registry for un-needed registry entries and deletes them. (It also makes a back up, before you start). Download here.

  Once installed you need to allow it to clean the registry automatically; to do this select "Options" > "Registry Cleanup"> "Method" then select "Automatic". To then clean the registry select the "Tools" option > "Registry Cleanup" and then "Do them All".

  This programCerulean Studio's Trillian Studio's Trillian

  This IM client integrates MSN, ICQ, AIM, YIM and IRC. So you don't have to have 5 programs open at once eating up your ram. Cerulean Studios? Homepage.

  Download Lavalys EVEREST[/u]rl].

  Lavalys EVEREST

  This handy program allows you to see all your computer information in one centralised place. It also provides links to Manufacturers websites, and links to Driver Update pages. Lavalys's Homepage.

  Download .

  here.

  Microsoft have a guide on how to install and configure the program

  A great, free Spy/Ad ware solution. Detects and deletes most Spy/Ad ware.

  Free definition updates. Second Edition. Made by Lavasoft.

  Download [/u]re.

  Spy Sweeper

  A great, free Spy/Ad ware solution. Detects and deletes most Spy/Adware.

  You need to pay to get definition updates. Made by .

  Download [/u]ot - Search & Destroy

  A great, free Spy/Ad ware solution. Detects and deletes most Spy/Ad ware.

  Free definition updates. It finds the same as Ad-Aware, if not more. Made by Safer Networking.

  Download .

  NOTE: I use all four of the above. So that if one program misses something, the other three are bound to pick it up (I use Spyware Blaster too). I recommend you use them all to, just to make sure Spyware Blasterspan>

  Spyware Blaster

  This great program stops spyware and adware before it even hits. It protects you against malicious ActiveX programs, cookies and much more. Read for more info. Made by .

  Download [/u]ere.

  CWShredder

  Think you?ve got the well known Trojan/spyware CoolWebSearch on your computer?

  Well you can use this handy tool to get rid of it.

  Download it [/u]]here.

  HijackThis - Only for more advanced users

  Serious spyware infestation? Especially with Internet Explorer, this will help get rid of those pesky search bars that just keep coming back. This programs requires a slightly higher level of computer literacy.

  Download it .

  Confused by HijackThis' results? Post them Anti-Virusile Online Virus Scanners>

  Online Virus Scanners

  These online virus scanners can be useful to check if you have a virus, which your antivirus has missed.

  • Trend Micro Nice online scan, can be used with almost any internet browser.
    
  • Good, but you need to use Internet Explorer
    
  • Great scan, utilises many virus scanners to check if the file. Almost bound to find the virus. Can only check on file at a time, butAntiViruseful.
    

  AntiVir

  This free anti-virus program by is one of the best free AV programs out there. According to AntiVir has the highest virus detection rate among free scanners.

  Download [/u]u>avast! 4 Home Edition

  Anti-virus program by alwil software is one of the most used free antivirus options. (The one I use)

  Download [/b]ml"Firewall Checkwalls

  Firewall Check

  Want to check how effective your firewall is to external elements?

  [*]GRC Shields UP! Great all-round scan, checks all commonly used ports and more.

  [*] Nice scan by Symantec, sad they try to sell you stuff at the end ? evenSygate Personal Firewalll>Sygate Personal Firewall

  This free firewall by is generally revered as one of the best free firewall around. (The one I use)

  Download [/u]f"]here.

  Zone Alarm

  This free firewall is made by . It?s your decision whether you use Sygate Personal Firewall or this, both are very good free firewalls.

  Download .

  .

  RAM - Random Access Memory

  Your computer needs this stuff, and the more the better. Any 32bit CPU (Intel Pentium 3, 4, Celeron. AMD Athlon XP, Barton, Sempron) can take 4096MB or 4GB of RAM. A 64bit CPU (AMD Athlon 64, Opteron. Intel Pentium 4 with EMT64, Xeon with EMT 64, Itanium) can handle hundreds of GB of RAM, but the amount a certain system can take is limited by the motherboard and chipset.

  One simple solution to speed your PC up, is to buy more RAM for it. Just check what speed of RAM your Motherboard and CPU can take, and what the maximum amount of RAM your Solution = Buy more RAMpan>

  Solution = Buy more RAM

  The cheapest places to buy RAM, that I know are:

  - USA Only

  - USA (Maybe Canada) and the UK (maybe mainland Europe)

  - UK & Ireland

  Conclusion

  Hope all this helps. And if you have any other solutions, tell me, and I'll add them to the post. But I think I've covered most of it. One last thing is, there are only so many things you can do. There is no good replacement for good computer hardware.

  Copyright ? Nighthawk-F117 2005

Edited May 30, 2005 by Nighthawk-F117

[nvizible]

nice... i know all that but im sure some people will find it helpful :D

[Rob2687]

Very nice....

[Nighthawk-F117]

Very nice....

585534953[/snapback]

Thanks, I didn't think anyone was going to reply. :(

I waited 12 hours for one. I might need a new mouse now.

[Captain_Wang]

As well as a lot of that stuff I use CCleaner and Diskeeper Lite <-- very quick and does the job well.

[insanekiwi]

welcome to neowin. nice guide. i did all that but am too lazy to pile it all up. thanks fo doing this (Y)

[Monkeys4me]

You should add the following link to your "Basic Solutions" section:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s..._october08.mspx

It shows users how to schedule disk defragmentaion & cleanup to automatically run, so they won't have to worry about it.

Also, in your "Virus/Trojan/Adware/Spyware Problem" section you note "I use all four of the above"... but there are five products listed. You might want to update that. ;)

:cool:

[DanManIt]

nice. good work

[RadiationXP]

AVG is good, but I think AVAST Antivirus is much better!

AVG is annoying in how you have to do full scans just to remove a viruse, and then sometimes it can't remove it.

Avast is really awesome, auto updates, and has a really nice, clean interface, and detects viruses/trojans that Norton misses.. and its FREE!

www.avast.com

Otherwise, everything else you have on there is good stuff, except for those software firewalls. If your a gamer, or use lots of weird programs, or do lots of networking, the software firewalls (zonealarm and internet security) can block stuff youdn't want blocked and most times its easy to unblock stuff, but sometimes things come up that you can't get unblocked. I prefer a hardware firewall over software.

If you dont use a router or anything, you can make an old computer into a firewall, using smoothwall. http://www.smoothwall.org/

Great stuff man!

[McLaren_F1]

wow. Very nice Guide

[Porsche Design]

about firefox-internet explorer, there is an extension called user agent switcher so firefox will identify itself as internet explorer, now that works for some website so i am not sure about windows update

est nod32 is a great low memory comsuming yet powerful anti-virus

[Colin-uk Veteran]

nice guide, maybe it would look better in all one colour :)

[Larney]

Cheers for that guide. One of these days I will actually do everything on all these guides :rofl: (Y)

[Hypoxiaicon]

Startup CPL is a awesome Control Panel item that allows to edit and delete start up items.

[OxideNOS]

nice guide.

[HackerFreeware]

Nice Guide! :-)

[Cancenk]

Great Guide, Good job.

Thanks.

:yes:

[g-n-t]

nice guide, but it still wont keep a healthy windows system. the registry will still get messed up after a couple of months, although youve covered all the other bases.

the best way to keep windows running well is prevention.

[Guol]

good guide. thanks!

and welcome to neowin :yes:

[Ghatak]

good guide (Y)

[easternBrain]

nice one.. it would be nice if this can be made sticky and updated regularly.

[aman01]

Good guide! Although I think its just a basic guide. Hope you will release more guide soon.

[Nighthawk-F117]

Good guide! Although I think its just a basic guide. Hope you will release more guide soon.

585552107[/snapback]

Yeh, I am working on more additions to the guide. Just making them perfect.

To the person that suggest Crap Cleaner, I'm currently testing it - to see what it's like against other products I am trying. The same with Perfect Disk and Diskkeeper.

I'll get my hands on Startup CPL to the person that said it.

[konstantinos]

healthy windows = oxymoron

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

wow, thats awesome (Y)

i learned a new thing from reading that, amazingly.

but you can also protect your PC by not downloading pr0n!