Springcleaning (Windows)

[legoboyvdlp]

Hey, Windows users!
Here is a quick springcleaning guide for any Windows Computer. This will help it run faster and make it behave itself
I recommend that this takes place at least monthly for best results.

Step One: Updates
Start > Search > Windows Update.
On the left menubar, click 'search for updates'.
In my case, there are only six optional updates available.



We click on the blue '6 optional updates are available' and go to the 'select update' screen.
Here we see a list of available updates.



I don't want IE11; I prefer Chrome.
The graphics update looks good... although 60MB is a bit much. Let's select it and all the other Windows bugfix updates.

Then we click OK. It will take you to the original screen. Click on 'Install Updates' and input your admin password (or confirm the update).
That's it! Just be patient till it downloads and installs all the updates.

(Restart your PC after completion -- it should prompt you to do so).

[legoboyvdlp]

Step Two: Cleaning
Open up your PC (gently!) with appropriate tools (obviously, make sure it is off, and disconnect the power supply) and gently blow out any miscellaneous dust and dirty collected in operations. Very, very gently, make sure that the RAM, CPU, GPU, etc are secure in their places. Make sure that the cooling fans / vents are free of dirt and dust. A can of compressed air might help with the blowing...

Wipe your screen with screen fluid... I don't recommend water. Please, please use a microfiber cloth. Never use tap water; you need to use screen fluid or at least distilled water. Use very light pressure. Brush the keyboard, and remove dust from the monitor / casing.

When closing the PC, zip-tying any groups of cables might make it neater... 4 inch zip ties work.

[legoboyvdlp]

Step Three: Disk Cleanup
Editors Note: I already did this this morning!
A good way to save space is to use the Disk Cleanup tool.

Backup, Backup, Backup!

I'd recommend turning off any programs -- the process will just take about thirty minutes.

The Windows native tool, Disk Cleanup, will work for now -- however, later CCleaner1 is a great tool, after you finish cleaning it up with the Windows Tool.

Alright, open Start and type in Disk Cleanup into Search.
It will ask you what drive you want to cleanup -- select your main HDD (in this case, C:/).



Click 'OK'. It will start to scan -- in my case, it took fifteen minutes, as I had never done it before.



Once it finishes scanning, this dialog will open.



Select EVERY checkbox you see in the 'files to delete' box. It should NOT delete any personal files.

After that hit 'OK' Once it finishes, you will have saved quite a few GB of space, and your computer will run a little faster. In my case, I saved 11GB and noted quite a good improvement in speed.

1. http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

[legoboyvdlp]

Step Four: Delete Duplicate Files
Did I say backup?

Install dupeGuru. Then open the tool.


Step Five: GET AN ANTIVIRUS!
Any good one will do. McAfee. Eset. Avast. Avira. Scan your computer with the most comprehensive scan they offer. Do it now. Please.
Get rid of any virus immediately.

Step Six: How about CCleaner?
Install CCleaner; better make sure NOT to install the toolbar. They can slow down your computer...



Select the things you want to clean and hit 'Analyse'. It will tell you what there is to remove. Check it all carefully, and then click 'run cleaner'.
In my case, I saw some applications that I wanted to keep (Office '07, McAfee), so I removed them and hit Analyse again. 2571 MB! And after Windows Disk Clean!

Hit 'run cleaner'.
38 seconds later, I'm cleaner than ever before!

Lovely.

Explore the other tools too.

[IAHM-COL]

Step Five: GET AN ANTIVIRUS!

Or get Linux

[legoboyvdlp]

Step Seven: Remove Startup Programs
Open CCleaner. Go to Tools > Startup.
Remove any non-essential programs that run upon start. Examples: Skype, Java updater, etc.

Step Eight: Uninstall Unused Programs
Do I really need the bing bar that I don't even use? Uninstall them in CCleaner > Tools > Uninstall Programs.

[legoboyvdlp]

Step Nine: Keep Above the Viruses, Malware, and Bugs!
Keep updating Windows. Keep scanning your Computer with an AntiVirus, SpyBot, and Ad-aware weekly.

Step Ten: Organize, Organize, Organize!
Your choice; I like a tidy desktop.

[legoboyvdlp]

Or get Linux

[legoboyvdlp]

But, Lego, how often do I do this?

I recommend a mega-clean every year, a good CCleaner / Disk Cleaner clean every month, and an antivirus / antispy / antimalware scan every week (at minimum).

How about defragging?
I honestly don't know. I don't want to risk it until I ask it0uchpods, who certainly knows more about PC's than me.

[jwocky]

I would like to second IAHM-COL here and suggest Linux ... but well ...
and getting rid of the Macs is certainly even more recommendable than getting rid of Windows.

otherwise ... if you have a lot of changes, a lot of smaller files or if you are one of those people who download a lot of videos, burn them on DVDs and delete them again ... try to do a defrag monthly. Otherwise, all three months or when approaching snail speed should be okay.