Computer Optimization Guide

Computer Optimization Guide

*This Guide has up-to-date information and tips from what to do when you first get your computer and also for those who already have been using their computer for some time.

*This Guide is meant to be simple and avoid any potentially damaging changes.
Most of these tweaks/changes are meant to have no drawbacks or cause any problems.

*These programs and tips are from my own personal experiences and also from other guides on this forum and others.

*I will update this thread often and add in any advice that other people recommend so please post your comments.

*Please Note: This info is not guaranteed to perform the same on your computer as it did on mine or anyone else's.


Also, this Guide is meant for Windows 7 and Vista computers, but should also work on XP, etc.

Lastly, All of the tweaks mentioned are rather basic and don't involve anything drastic.
If you want in-depth tweaks, see NBR Vista Tips and Tweaks Guide - Les

*Please Comment and Rep and post anything that you think I should add in / edit.
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When you first get your computer

- Check to make sure you have all the parts and read through the manuals, etc.

- Check for dead pixels on your screen.
- Go through the User setup and other first-time settings.

- Make your recovery discs (if needed)
- *Updates*:
   - Run Microsoft Update to install all Windows updates as well as new drivers
   - You can also check your computer manufacturer's website for more driver updates as well as BIOS updates (advanced users only)


(This guide is geared towards optimization so I'm going to skip past the real basics of when you first get a computer)

Bloatware removal

You have 2 options:
1.
Reinstall Windows - see Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION by orev
Also see How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 7

2.
Remove the bloatware manually
- Remove programs using the Control Panel Uninstaller (ie any trial software such as Norton, etc.)
- Download and run CCleaner
- Go into Computer and go to C:Program Files and clean up any folders that were left behind after the Uninstall.
There are some other directories that you might want to look around for old files such as Program Data, etc but be careful not to delete anything you're not sure about.
- You can also try PC Decrapifier

Antivirus, Firewall, and AntiSpyware

1.
Antivirus - I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials.
It has excellent ratings, light on system resources, and very easy to use.
It has antivirus and antispyware.
( http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ )

2.
Firewall - I'm a fan of Windows Firewall because it come with Windows.
But many people don't like it since it doesn't protect against outbound traffic.
So, if you want, you can use Comodo

3.
AntiSpyware - I recommend Windows Defender.
It comes pre-installed with Vista and 7.
If you use MSE, then it will automatically disable Windows Defender since MSE has anti-spyware built-in.

(Note: you can have more than 1 antispyware, but never use more than 1 antivirus or firewall because they can conflict with one another)


Optimization

Now we get to the good stuff.

1.
Clean up your startup programs (Important step!)

Go to Start > Run and type msconfig and go to the startup tab.
Go to http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php for information regarding each item.
Disable only the programs that you are sure about.
Items such as AIM, qttask, Adobe Update Manager, etc can be unchecked.
- You can also use CCleaner to do this.
Go to Tools-->Startup Tab and uncheck the ones you don't want to start on boot.

2.
Clean up Services that aren't needed (Optional)

Go to Start > Run and type services.msc
Go to http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm and use that as your survival guide.
For Windows 7 users, go to: http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/servicecfg.htm

3.
Run a General Maintenance Utility Program (Optional)

My top choice is Glary Utilities
You can also use Iobit Advanced SystemCare, although it is slightly on the riskier side because it tweaks more Windows settings.


4.
Disable (Some) Indexing Options (Optional)
See this article:
http://www.tweakvista.com/articles/3...e_performance/

5.
Set power profile to Balanced (Recommended)

Go to the Control Panel

Click on 'classic view' in the left hand pane.

Open Power Options.

Select the 'Balanced' power plan.
For more information on this, please see: Power Plan Controversy


6.
Disable some Windows Features you don't need.
See this:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2110596,00.asp

7.
If you want to get more in-depth, check out Les' awesome Tweak Guide



Other Advice

- Download and use Firefox 3.6 as your main web browser (Google Chrome is another good choice as well)

- you may want to go into Control Panel and tweak the settings to your liking as well.

- I recommend using OpenOffice as a Microsoft Office substitute.

- Use OpenDNS (www.opendns.com)


Things to do:

Daily
- Update your Antivirus and AntiSpyware Definitions (should be automatic)

Weekly
- Perform a full virus scan and spyware scan
- Do a backup (I recommend Macrium Reflect)
- Run Windows Update
- Run CCleaner (and if you wish, Glary Utilities or Advanced SystemCare)
- Lastly, Run a Disk Defragmenter ( I recommend using Smart Defrag)


Monthly
-check for updates to your programs - I recommend using FileHippo UpdateChecker
- Check for new drivers (go to your computer manufacturers' website)
- Perform chkdsk

Yearly
- Clean out the dust from your PC using a can of condensed air
- If your PC is running sluggish then perform a backup and then restore your computer to original using your restore disks and then move back the necessary files

The items I put in bold are, to me, crucial.
An Antivirus (MSE), CCleaner, and a Disk Defragmenter are 3 very important programs in order to keep your computer running at it's best.

- More Coming Soon

This guide is meant to be a basic guide for people to get an understanding of some simple and pretty important tweaks/programs.


I will update this thread with more detailed info in the future when I have time.

Feel free to add in comments.