How To Clean Up Windows

This article prevents some ideas of how to clean up your computer which has the Windows Operating System. The clean up here does to refer to any kind of virus or spyware removal. Instead, this article focuses on how to get rid of the junk that we or Windows itself accumulates on your computer throughout the years.

1. Scan using antivirus.
Although this article is not about removing virus but on the cleaning of junk files, one of the first step is to simply do a virus scan - just in case. Some useful articles are:
- using online virus scanners: http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/antivirus-online-scan.html
- discounted antivirus software http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/security-software-discounts-and-special.html
- news on security http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2011/08/news-security.html
- how to secure your computer: http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-secure-your-computer.html

2. Remove all unwanted programs.
Find a list of all your installed programs by going to Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs.
Decide which programs you do not need and uninstall them.
- some uninstaller software: http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2011/07/links-to-free-software.html

3. Find what is running in the background
Windows services are programs that run in the background after starting up themselves when the computer is switched on. Many will not tell you they are running. To find a list of these "services", go to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services.
Find those services which you know is definitely not needed, whether they are from Windows or not. There is no clear way to identify which service you don't want - they will come from experience. Basically just look at the name of the services - a weird name does not mean it is not needed. Sometimes look for a service with a simple name which you definitely know is not required. Example: If your computer has no wireless connection, then look for service with the name wireless and Disable it.

4. Clean the Registry
WARNING: If anything goes wrong at this step, very often this will make your whole computer unable to start and you may lose everything.
This step should be done by experienced users only.
Some tools to check are: CCleaner and TweakNow RegCleaner. (see http://xtechnotes.blogspot.com/2011/07/links-to-free-software.html )

5. Are all your files compressed?
Some computers may have come out of the box, configured to compress all your files by default. In Windows Explorer, if your files has filenames appearing in colour, then it may be compressed. To switch off this option, in Windows Explorer, right click on the folder and select Properties. Then uncheck any box for compression, for that file, folder or the entire drive.

6. Check updates
Ensure all updates including Windows Update and other antivirus updates are up to date.

7. Avoid re-installing Windows
Only reinstall Windows as a very last resort.

8. Cleaning Temporary Files
Ref: http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php/tutorials/article/72-keeping-your-system-partition-cleaned-up-on-a-schedule/

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temp\*.*
c:\temp\*.*
c:\windows\kb*.log
c:\windows\temp\*.*

- delete windows update uninstall files
dir c:\windows\$nt*

- delete Internet Explorer update uninstall files
dir c:\windows\ie8updates






..... any more ideas are appreciated ....