Windows 7 forum: Help me keep my Windows 7 machine running lean, clean, and mean

Just use Norton's Utilities 2010.I have been using it since the DOS years and haven't stopped yet.I find that Norton's 2010 to be their best yet.It will clean your registry,defrag,disk clean and more.You won't be disappointed.I run the program once a week and my computer is as fast as the day I built it.

I mean really dude. Why? What is the purpose? You are better? Stronger? Smarter?

People often use Windows because their workplace uses it, and UNIX is not used in very many office environments for word processing, contact management, or Facebooking. Due to this, many people have problems because windows supports a multitude of devices and performs a lot of GUI functions for the office dweeb, UNIX not so much. And these people are often focused on business, not computers. So their job is to facilitate selling, purchasing, product movement, etc. Not screwing around with command line functions.

In short, don't mess up a post with your lame ass observations. If you don't care, don't post.

re my last post...keeping Win7 on my desktop, but decided to go backwards from Win7 to XP...that transition was easy...XP CD put everything back the way it was 'including' the built in WebCam, that wouldn't work after installed Win7....Good to have 'Outlook Express' back also, that Windows Live Mail is the pits to work with...Just have to remember to install VLC Media Player (Google it) in order for the exterior DVD/CD Rom to function...Special HP Tech advised me that software and driver updates for WIN7 from OEM's is going extremely slow..fyi.

Stangram

Like the other Windows titles, Microsoft has designed the OS to slow with time. Here are some of my optimizations
I use a SSD primary, leaving a small secondary partition on the SSD. Presently it is a 9 gig partition about 75 percent used.
The first thing I do is make a copy of the cmd.exe from the Windows/system32 directory to the empty partition then edit the environmental variable for comspec to point to the copy. Every window requires its own copy of the cmd.exe to run, meaning it is the first thing loaded when you open a new window. But Microsoft places the cmd.exe in one of the largest 3rd level directories in the largest second level directory making finding it a relatively lengthy task when the computer is new, and a horribly long task after you have grown those two directories by installing more software.
Second thing I do is turn off the automatic control of virtual memory in a advanced performance options and then take all the virtual memory and put it on the SSD setting it as managed by windows. This keeps the Virtual memory from getting fragmented all over the c: drive which it would. And defragmenting never defragments the virtual memory. The virtual memory will also work faster if all located on the SSD.
You can reduce the size of the SSD necessary if you add a fast SATA drive and install programs that you use only occasionally there, rather than on the SSD. I do however keep antivirus and browser software if nothing else installed on the ssd.

Thanks for the website. GEAUX, SAINTS! SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!

Hi Luis,

I've been in this game for nearly 29 years now, and I must say that this time I think Microsoft actually GOT IT RIGHT!!! Since the release for Windows 7 in October our computer shop hasn't had one single issue with a Windows 7 computer that was related to the operating system. That's good news.

To answer your question about how to keep your system running lean, clean, and mean is essentially going to be similar to Windows XP, with some exceptions.

With only 4 months out of the gate, there's very little track record to draw from regarding Windows 7 errors and what may cause them. But of course the things that applied with XP mostly hold true. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

1. You should always keep a back-up of your important information. See last week's article about this issue for some important points regarding this issue.

2. In today's computing environment it's a must to have a reliable anti-virus and anti-malware program in play at all times. These programs should update daily, and automatically.

3. When you install new programs, make certain that they're not installed to run every time your start your computer. If they do, you can still use MSCONFIG to turn them off. Of course, you still want your anti-virus and spyware/malware programs to start up and stay up.

3. I always recommend that users upgrade their RAM to as much as the System will recognize. This will maximize the computer's performance and speed.

4. Initially in Vista, and now in a much more efficient manner in Windows 7, the need for manual hard disk defragmentation has been eliminated. You can still schedule how often Windows 7 will perform this operation, but because of significant differences in the manner that Windows 7 uses between and during auto-defrag, the need for frequent defragmentation has been minimized. And with Solid State Drives, Windows 7 automatically detects them and does no defrag at all as this is harmful to and reduces the life of a SSD.

5. To the extent possible, minimize the number of utilities used for "Registry Clean-Up", "Disk Clean-Up", Turbo Optimization and other programs of this type. If you are experiencing a problem, that is the time to address which utility to use. There are a number of software vendors out there who take an "All in One" approach to maintaining your computer health and efficiency. If you feel like you need one, I personally like System Mechanic. It provides a complete check-up for your system and allows you to decide which ones you want to perform.

I hope you'll come back in a few months so we can address this question again after we've had some time to further run Windows 7 through the paces. No system is perfect, but I believe that this is the best system Microsoft has released since Windows 95.

Best of Luck

Need more information like make, model, etc. I've had one of my computer running Windows 7 since before the release and have never had a hiccup. I'm not saying it looks as designed in all cases, like network resources may not be automatically installed. But for a new OS this is very stable.

I think you're right, it's not Windows 7 (though that certainly contributed to it). I also have W7 on my laptop and it runs just as smoothly as expected. I'm in the process of trying to download new drivers, but as you mentioned, it isn't easy.

I upgraded from Vista (with which I never had a problem). It took several attempts before it finally loaded. Then the monitor started rolling (like a bad video tape). I called Microsoft, they suggested I download a driver for the monitor. That limited the number of times the screen rolled, but it still does it from time to time. My PC is an HP Pavilion IQ506 Desktop PC - Intel Core 2 Duo T5850, 4GB, 500GB, DVDRW, 9300M GS, Tuner, 802.11n, Vista Home Premium 64, 22". I had to delete the Touchsmart programming before W7 would load.

Unfortunately it's more difficult to upgrade from XP to WIN7, than VISTA to Win7...you need to do a CLEAN install, which will require you to put your personal files, favorites, etc. on a thumb drive (or whatever). You will no longer have Outlook Express, and I don't recommend the new 'Windows Mail'...can use Outlook or some other independent.
Vista users have a 'transfer option' with the personal info, but when upgrading from XP, you need to save it and plug it back in.

Depending on your manufacturer, you may need updated drivers. Run Windows Update every day, but know that HP told me that the OEM's are way behind in providing them with Win7 drivers for some software/hardware. Desktop went well, Mini-Notebook same, except that the built-in webcam no longer functions....have to just wait until they come up with Win7 drivers for it....

s.coppel - Sonora

My Acer Netbook has lots of problems with 7. I cannot even the the Task Manager to work. Everything keeps on freezing, especially the Task Manager, so I find it extremely annoying and frustrating. Do you have any experience with that?

By the way, I think you hit the nail on the head. This is the best since Windows 95. But it is still only an Vista upgrade, and it does show that MS has been foisting rubbish on its customers for 15 years.

Use cccleaner to get rid of temp files, and then use its registry cleaner, and then use a good defragmentation software. Don't download a lot of 'free' software. Always use a good virus protector.

Windows 7 as with windows Vista are a lot beter than XP at keeping themselves running in good shape. I have been running Vista for a long time now and have had no trouble with it at all and I have never had to do any maintenance on it at all other than what it does itself, it auto defrags and does its own maintenance and Win 7 is the same. Where as XP I used to have to do maintenance every month or so.

I need to clarify a few things
I have the following witout getting into too much detail

Toshiba Satellite Pro (Dual core 4 GB RAM)Running Windows 7
Dell Inspiron Running (2GB RAM) Vista
Acer Netbook Running (2GB RAM)XP
a PII MMX running XP (1GB RAM)(my server)

My configurations are pretthy consistent

my AntiVirus is AVG Pro
I Use Ad-Aware Pro for malware etc.
I use O&O for my defrag
Once a month I run MalwareBytes

In the past 3 years I have not had a machine crash on me or be infected.

One other things once you get updates from all of the above - disconneted your network connect enter safe mode and run them once clean re-boot reconnect your internet connection and all shoould be good. There are free versions of the above software but I prefer to pay the minimal fee just for the support.