Keeping Windows Lean & Mean

[Max]

I run Win7 on 2.5 year old home build. With the exception of MS FSX, which began freezing a few months ago, my system seems normal. I've been told that a clean install of the OS is recommended every 3 yrs as a means of tuning up the registry...not a huge problem but it's a PITA in terms of reinstalling apps, data back-ups, etc.

As a non-geek asking, what can I do, short of a clean install, to keep the system running as smoothly as possible? Thanks.

[oboe]

Have you tried CCleaner?   That is supposed to clean up your registry entries without re-installing Windows.    Free download, quick to run.  Also has functions to clean up temp files, etc.

I don't know how well-regarding it is anymore though.   

[100Coogn]

If you are frequently installing your OS, you may want to consider getting a second HDD.  Preferably an SSD (Solid State Drive)
You would only need a small one, around 120GB.  This would be to keep your OS on, then keep you programs on your current HDD.
This way, if you need to install windows again, it will only overwrite the SSD.  All of your programs will be safe on the HDD.

Coogan

[Bizman]

CCleaner still is a good tool.

As for future reinstalling, do this: After having all your motherboard drivers and Windows Updates up to date, cleaned and polished, go to Control Panel>Backup and Restore and from the left pane Create a System Image on an external hard disk. That will make a tight packed copy of either your C:\ drive or the entire system. When needed, you can restore from that image either from within Windows using that same utility or do it using the Windows installation or repair disk in case your Windows stops working e.g. because of a HDD failure.

You can even have your favourite programs installed for the backup, especially those with a license code and rare updates.

[The Fugitive]

I run Win7 on 2.5 year old home build. With the exception of MS FSX, which began freezing a few months ago, my system seems normal. I've been told that a clean install of the OS is recommended every 3 yrs as a means of tuning up the registry...not a huge problem but it's a PITA in terms of reinstalling apps, data back-ups, etc.

As a non-geek asking, what can I do, short of a clean install, to keep the system running as smoothly as possible? Thanks.

This is the actual question guys. (bolded)

He doesn't want to know how to make it easier to reinstall Win7. He wants to know what he can do to keep his system running clean WITH OUT having to do a Win7 reinstall every few years.

[AKIron]

CCleaner is good. I don't think I've gone three years on any single install instance of an OS since my first computer in 1982. Don't be lazy, just wipe and reinstall. 

[Bizman]

This is the actual question guys. (bolded)

He doesn't want to know how to make it easier to reinstall Win7. He wants to know what he can do to keep his system running clean WITH OUT having to do a Win7 reinstall every few years.

Good point.

CCleaner and such only can do so much. The built-in Disc Cleanup tool can partially do the same, plus it can clean Windows Update in the Advanced settings. But as I said these are just tools. Cleaning doesn't remove scratch marks from the paint...

The process of keeping a computer lean starts from the very installing procedure. At the extreme that can be done Skuzzy's way by creating a dedicated installing media containing all the needed updates and only those drivers that are dedicated for that particular system. Us mere mortals might take a less demanding, more general approach, such as adjusting the Update settings. Setting two user profiles, one for administrating and another for daily use might also help. A worn out profile is easier to replace than the entire OS.

Most importantly, thinking twice before installing anything including updates can save from a lot of clutter.

[AKIron]

I usually make a backup after a new install once I've gotten all my programs installed. I like Acronis. Makes a "clean up" easy if needed.

[100Coogn]

+1 for CCleaner.   

Coogan

[TequilaChaser]

According to the title of your thread, Max, you posted : Keeping Windows Lean and Mean

I took that as how does one go about keeping their Windows (what ever flavor you desire xp, vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 etc) with a properly installed OS  that has been properly tweaked, more specifically lean/cleaned registry and services & processes tweaked etc...

I would have recommended you to go check out BlackViper.com, but his website has been down for sometime now, after going down roughly a 1/2 dozen times intermittently over he past 2 or 3 years..

I can tell you to definitely not try to clean up / tweak your OS by using msconfig!  you should always use services.msc   <---- SPECIAL NOTE: Do not go messing around in services until you have read up on the subject, researched it and fully understand what each service does as well as what each particular service might be a dependent of or what service might depend on the service you are currently looking at

as for using a program like "CCleaner",I myself prefer to clean up "my own OS" ( processes, services, registry, startup,etc ) the manual way, without installing/using PC fix'em tool programs,  YMMV   so to each their own

hope this helps

TC

[save]

http://www.glarysoft.com/ have some free nifty utilities to keep the machines in trim.

[Bizman]

A note of caution for Glarysoft: Agreed they have some nice utilities but IIRC they tend to run all the time in the background and if you aren't careful, you'll end up having half a dozen of them running, asking for updates, nagging for upgrades (paid) etc.

[save]

true, and dont let them start up with windows.

A note of caution for Glarysoft: Agreed they have some nice utilities but IIRC they tend to run all the time in the background and if you aren't careful, you'll end up having half a dozen of them running, asking for updates, nagging for upgrades (paid) etc.

[Max]

Thanks for the replies guys. Not to challenge your suggestions as per using CCleaner but I've come across some warnings suggesting that registry cleaners can do more harm than good. Any thoughts on this?

Here is one example of what I read:

On its own, to clean temp files, etc (even though that's unnecessary as well), CCleaner is OKAY. I would not under any circumstances recommend cleaning the registry. The registry debate is a long and gruesome one...

[TequilaChaser]

Thanks for the replies guys. Not to challenge your suggestions as per using CCleaner but I've come across some warnings suggesting that registry cleaners can do more harm than good. Any thoughts on this?

Here is one example of what I read:

On its own, to clean temp files, etc (even though that's unnecessary as well), CCleaner is OKAY. I would not under any circumstances recommend cleaning the registry. The registry debate is a long and gruesome one...

From my own personal experiences working/fixing others computer problems, I have seen "PC cleaning, tweaking, etc.. type programs/software end up causing more problems than being productively helpful

That is why when I replied before, I noted that for my own personal computers, I do not use any of those PC Fix'em program/software tools...that I prefer to do it all the manual way of cleaning and tweaking and optimizing my computer components/setup/operating system

I have used some programs when working on other peoples computers...programs such as "HirensCD", which has a collection of tools on it, including DOS and Linux) some are useful while others are useless, regarding all the different utilities included on HirensCD

As for monitoring and testing, I have used ADIA's utility, which I haven't seen or had any issues with for the past 5/6+ years....

YMMV, hope this is helpful

TC