Windows XP tune up - What tools do you use?

[OUSAK]

For the past 8 years of using Windows XP, I've always formatted every few months, due to Windows "rot"...


This year, I was able to last over a year without a format and still going.


Possible reasons is that Windows XP with SP3 is so good, and also the fact that I have started using many pc cleaning and optimisation tools, which I've found to be doing a very good job, compared to previous years.

I think this tools have become so good with maintaining Windows XP, perhaps due to so many years of getting to know the internal workings of it.



I want to share the list of programs I've been using, which keep mine and my friends/family computers running better. They've been so good, that I have purchased most of them:


- CCleaner
- iobit Advanced System Care pro
- Defraggler / Smart Defrag
- Glary Utilities
- TuneUp Utilities 2010


Security:

- Microsoft Security Essentials
- SpyBot
- SUPERAntiSpyware Alternate Start
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- IObit Security 360
- Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1


I also merge hosts file entries from mvp and hphosts, to complement what spybot already blocks. (You need to disable the DNS service when you have such a large hosts file)

And to keep all my software up-to-date, I use "Update Notifier" to inform me of new versions.




To save money (legally), I search for promo codes, and I have Microsoft TechNet Direct subscription.




What software do you use to keep your Windows in top notch condition?


The conclusion is that no one tool does a complete job...

[kantagara]

mine security: bitdefender IS 2010, HJT,MBAM (on-demand)
browser security: Mozilla firefox w/ WOT, ABP
tuneuP: tuneup utilities,smart defrag (or asulogis disk defrag)
i format my C disk once or (unfortunately sometimes twice) per month. Because xp is very unstable (unlike windows 7 which is the most stable win version ever)

[hellnoire]

On my parent's computer, we're using Bitdefender IS, from Shaded, along side SuperAnti-Spyware, CCleaner, and if I remember right, the built-in defragger. It's only been formated once, to a bad bad bad case of Vundo.

[Swarup]

you can use Bitdefender IS or KIS OR AVIRA with ccleaner or ASC PRO & SUPER anti spyware.
@ kantagara
i don't agreed with you. I think XP is the most stable version in windows famaly & for windows 7 it is very new its age is less than 1yr.
I suggest to use ccleaner or asc pro & see what happend.

[safeguy]

XP unstable? And Windows 7 is....what makes you think that way kantagara?

[Amature Programmer]

Ive used Windows XP since we got our first computer so I don't know why your calling it UNSTABLE. Of course Windows 7 is the most stable as it is the newest version but I would still think that XP is a great Version on Windows.

[safeguy]

XP with SP3 is awesomely stable....the only thing is XP's looks sucks but you can always use modified themes to make it look better...you just have to patch your uxtheme file....

Vista is what I'm using right now...with 3 GB of RAM, it's ok and I've got some performance tricks up my sleeves so it helps...

[Amature Programmer]

3GB Ram is great I dont even know what ram im running on. I have two computers one is a Lenovo Notebook then Dell desktop computer. The Dell one is old the Lenovo is new and both running on windows XP. Fantastic performance in my Opinion.

[kantagara]

XP unstable? And Windows 7 is....what makes you think that way kantagara?

well I don't know on xp i need to reformat my hard every month or two (or in some extreme cases even earlier). but parallely on my second partition is windows 7 and I didn't need to reformat my HD for about a month

[BTOR]

if you dont do any bank transaction /credit cart payment using the computer and you dont have personal details stored in the computer than you may feed the virus/worm/torjon/bot and all possible thing and play with it, it is fun

really spend some time, identify virus, store it in a cd, download all antivirus software and test one by one you will get immense knowledge

you will really know which suits your need more better since every one/every computer user is different every one have their own choise

the one which works for one person may not suit other