Cleaning Computer

shortymet55

New Member
Im trying to clean up my computer to make it a bit faster. I dont mean just cleaning viruses, because i run McAfee, and anti-spyware programs. I mean like closing some of the useless processes in Windows Task Manager. Can you tell me what some of this means? and what i can close? This is the screenshot of the processes tab: (The one on the left is all I could fit, then on the right is the rest starting after the highlighted one, which was the last on the previous shot.)

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Now, my next question is, how do i keep these off. Like, will they be there again, next time i restart my computer, or are they off for good (or at least untill i open something that starts them)?

And finally, what are other things I can do to speedup my computer. Like are there other places that show random programs that are running, which i dont need? THanks
 
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The task nanager is used mainly for temporarily ending a specific process either by intent to prevent a conflict or to troubleshoot the system when a program hangs up. The msconfig utility included in Windows since 98 is readily available to selectively pick and choose which programs will auto load along with Windows. To start this up for choosing a selective startup you simply type msconfig in at the Run prompt off of the Start menu, press enter or click the ok button to see it open a new screen.

Besides disabling various items for programs and services there are a few things you can do. The two sections in the msconfig utility are the startup group and services sections. Putting a check mark in the "hide all microsoft services" box is the best way to avoid disabling any needed background services for Windows. Besides defragging your hard drive when the level of fragmentation is noticed increasing you can also run a wise freeware that cleans invalid entries found in the system registry. http://www.majorgeeks.com/RegCleaner_d460.html
 
k, thanks alot guys

I have done a bunch of the tweakxp suggestions and Ive run RegCleaner and got rid of some old registries. More suggestions are welcome. Thanks again
 
RegCleaner is a great one to have onhand since leftovers and orphanned values from incomplete installations of programs can easily put a drag on the system when useless drivers and other things no longer installed are trying to load. On an older system seeing only 256mb or 512mb of ram performance can see a boost there by increasing the amount of memory installed.

Memory increases when needed along with periodically defragmenting the one or more drives installed and disabling many things from loading up automatically with Windows and cleaning the system registry are the bulk of maintaining a good running system. Another freeware good for cleaning garbage no longer needed that frees up hard drive is found at http://www.ccleaner.com/ Just be careful it doesn't go after files you have collected in folders you created on your own.
 
It seems they also offer some free scans for the retail product seen at http://www.liutilities.com/products/powersuite/ But one freeware that analyzes the entire system(SIW) received the best 101 Fabulous Freebies award according to PC World magazine. http://www.gtopala.com/siw_on_pc_world.html

The download page for SIW is seen at http://www.gtopala.com/download.html

Besides the freewares that can be found at various sites one 2004 article gives some good tips on "A Guide to Maintaining Your PC" seen at http://www.castlecops.com/article-5484-nested-0-0.html
 
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