PC Repair & Cleanup Software

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Baniholt

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Hi Guys.

My wife's laptop is running seriously slow and takes ages to startup. Probably a few clogged up things pulling it down...

I know there are tons and tons of software that you can use to clean up and sort the machine.

What would you guys suggest and if any, are they really the money worth?

Thanking you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Bani
 
What they said.
I have however found increase in performance on old Windows computers with Ashampoo WinOptimizer.
 
Those "optimiser" software are mostly a load of carp. It is better to do a full reload.

But you could start by looking at what is trying to load at startup:
Win+R
msconfig
Startup
For Win 10 you can get to the same place by:
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Startup

Also look at scheduled tasks:
Win+R
taskschd.msc
There is often a ton of stuff set to run at scheduled times and run at startup if not run at scheduled times.
 
Baniholt said:
Hi Guys.

My wife's laptop is running seriously slow and takes ages to startup. Probably a few clogged up things pulling it down...

I know there are tons and tons of software that you can use to clean up and sort the machine.

What would you guys suggest and if any, are they really the money worth?

Thanking you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Bani
Click to expand...

With laptops running slow there are three things I look at first.

1. Check for adware. Running Adwcleaner which is free is quick and painless.

2. Does the machine have multiple AV's installed?

3. Are all the updates installed? Sometimes rolling back the updates also works.

If none of that works then doing a fresh install om a R400 SSD drive works wonders.
 
Last edited:
Hi guys.

Thanks so much for all your replies. I will 1st try and see what I can see as per "Dairyfarmer" and also do what "lowriderza" said.
Apologies for my ignorance but what "neomoneiros" said... You're a bit over my head. hehehe :)

Thanks again, appreciate your help.
 
|tera| said:
What they said.
I have however found increase in performance on old Windows computers with Ashampoo WinOptimizer.
Click to expand...
Downloaded a trial of Ashampoo about 10 years ago, it was rubbish, so I uninstalled it. Received junk emails from them at a rate of about 3-4 per day for about eight years afterwards, despite unsubbing.
They should just delete the first two syllables of the name, it's poo, plain and simple.
 
RonSwanson said:
Downloaded a trial of Ashampoo about 10 years ago, it was rubbish, so I uninstalled it. Received junk emails from them at a rate of about 3-4 per day for about eight years afterwards, despite unsubbing.
They should just delete the first two syllables of the name, it's poo, plain and simple.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't touch any Ashampoo software 10 years ago. One of the techies I managed at the time used to use their software on his own machines. He ran into more problems than solutions.
Their software improved alot. Their free CD/DVD software is miles ahead of the other free solutions. I used to use cdburnerxp and replaced it with Ashampoo after multiple errors and dud discs. The problem was resolved as soon I used Ashampoo's suite.
 
Arthur said:
Hot tip: Avoid "Windows cleanup" and "tuneup" software like the plague. Anything that touches the Registry shouldn't be allowed within twenty feet of your system.
Click to expand...
The CCleaner squad will disagree with you though. I hate software like this too, hence I only use it on old, dated Windows systems.
The crap that it holds after years of use is a lot. There isn't always opportunity to reformat, which would be the best.
 
Windows 7 and up already has stuff like this build in including a performance optimize feature. Update to Windows 10 1909. Run disk cleanup. Defrag the system. Clean the temp folders (under C:\Windows\ and %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local). Also take a look under the Startup tab of the windows task manager and disable stuff you don't want to start automagically and Bob's your uncle.
 
Last edited:
|tera| said:
The CCleaner squad will disagree with you though. I hate software like this too, hence I only use it on old, dated Windows systems.
The crap that it holds after years of use is a lot. There isn't always opportunity to reformat, which would be the best.
Click to expand...
CCcleaner was hacked two times. I'd stay far, far away...

www.zdnet.com

Avast: No plans to discontinue CCleaner following second hack in two years | ZDNet

Czech intelligence agency: "Data analysis suggests that the attack came from China."
www.zdnet.com www.zdnet.com

First, Chinese hackers breached Piriform's servers even before the Avast acquisition, inserting malware into official releases; and leaving the Czech antivirus maker to deal with the PR fallout all throughout 2017 and 2018.

Then, today, Avast discovered that hackers targeted CCleaner once again, this time compromising its main internal network in the process, and yet again, seeking to tamper with CCleaner releases.
Click to expand...
Just stick to the stuff build in to Windows and DIY the rest.
 
backstreetboy said:
CCcleaner was hacked two times. I'd stay far, far away...

www.zdnet.com

Avast: No plans to discontinue CCleaner following second hack in two years | ZDNet

Czech intelligence agency: "Data analysis suggests that the attack came from China."
www.zdnet.com www.zdnet.com

Just stick to the stuff build in to Windows and DIY the rest.
Click to expand...
Not saying I'm using it. Just an example.
I would add using Autoruns to your list as well. Way better to manage erroneous startup software, missing scheduled tasks and drivers that aren't required. It's from Sysinternals, Microsoft.
 
|tera| said:
The CCleaner squad will disagree with you though. I hate software like this too, hence I only use it on old, dated Windows systems.
The crap that it holds after years of use is a lot. There isn't always opportunity to reformat, which would be the best.
Click to expand...
"Cleaning" the Registry has as much effect as washing a car does on the engine and gearbox's performance. In many cases it causes more harm than good, like sticking the hose into the crankcase to wash the bearings.
 
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