Keeping Windows Lean & Mean

[Skuzzy]

I have never used any type of "cleaner" to maintain my systems.  Instead, I am very methodical about cleaning up any messes as they occur.

Example:  Whenever I remove a program from my computer, I manually check the registry for any errant entries left behind for that software.  This takes some detective work, at times, as it is not always clear.

I only add programs I actually intend on using.  I also avoid applications which are known to mess with operating system files (anti-xxxx, anything from Intuit...). Understanding the mess applications can make and leave behind is 3/4 of the battle.  Microsoft has done little to protect the operating system from changes being made by applications.

My work system, which gets used a lot for a lot of different applications has been up and running for almost 4 years.  Still running nice and clean.

Honestly, it is not easy to keep up with and requires you to do a lot of homework before installing any application, or removing an application, but the reward is a system which will stay stable and quick for a very long time.

[Bizman]

For what I've experienced from working with other people's computers and reading test reviews written by people I for some odd reason trust I've learned that CCleaner is a relatively safe alternative which I use several times a week. The only trouble I've had with it was about a decade ago when using it caused HP printer program to ask for the installation CD - and that was because HP in their great wisdom placed some boot time files in the Temp folder! Glarysoft, IObit, AVG PC TuneUp, Norton, whatnot... There's plenty of them, some looking like copies of others. The performance varies from very basic to utterly aggressive. Some of my customers have used the ones I mentioned encountering various issues. Not to mention those that get installed aside of some other program...

Understanding the mess applications can make and leave behind is 3/4 of the battle.