Is it safe to use a PC optimization program?

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Hello everyone

I am considering whether to use a computer optimization program, as my PC is a quite slow, maybe from WinXP, maybe from a lot of programs that have been installed and uninstalled, and any other factors. The reason I am not sure is that such programs delete temporary windows files that they find to “bloat” and slow the PC’s performance, and even rearrange and/or delete files they deem unnecessary for running programs that are installed on the computer, and therefore there is the risk of deleting files that ARE necessary, and even files such as mp3 or video that are not even related to the OS. I fear that after such an optimization my computer won’t work at all, and the only solution for that is a clean format, and whatever was on the PC is lost.

What is your opinion? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

TIA

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If you are running XP and you install and uninstall software regularly your best bet is to do a reinstall. Many people will do a clean install every year.

Backup all your data, music, pictures, etc and do a clean install. You will feel like you have a brand new system. BUT – the VERY FIRST thing you do after the install is to install all the updates from Microsoft. Then reinstall your apps. It’s time consuming but when done you will be glad you did it.

The optimizer programs can cause you headaches, especially if they delete a file you actually need. I strongly recommend a clean install.

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Hi :

I have had my Win XP computer for over 6 yrs and I have NEVER done
a “reinstall” . I also use programs such as the FREE “ATF Cleaner”
developed by antiSPYWARE Expert “A Tribune” and available at his
Site at http://www.atribune.org/ . I use it at least twice a week .
I also run a 3rd party defragger called “Power Defragmenter GUI …..”
developed by antiSPYWARE Expert “RejZor” and available at his
Site at http://www.rejzor.tk , which I run monthly .

Your “situation” sounds like you should visit http://www.pcdecrapifier.com
and consider using the FREE program there !?

I do NOT recommend “PC Optimizer” programs ; they seem to include
“Registry Cleaners”, which I recommend be avoided because following
their “recommendations” MAY be hazardous to one’s computer .

Are you interested in “controlling” your “cookies” ?

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Avoid memory optimizers, they are of no use.
PageDefrag v2.32 is a decent little pagefile defragger.
JkDefrag is a very decent free defragger utility.
CCleaner is a great tool and can be configured to safely remove PC littter, it can be
potent in that if you are not careful it will remove some of your personal settings.
jv16 PowerTools 2009, probably the best registry cleaner around and all purpose tool.
JvPowerTools is a tried and true program written by a very good programmer.
Use the windows built in disk cleanup utility with the sagerun commands:
cleanmgr /sageset:99
cleanmgr /sagerun:99
Secunia PSI, run once a week or so but exit it on completion.

Other optimizations include anything from removing the minimally useful “system restore” and “remote assistance”
to disabling services that are of no use to your particular setup.
Clean instal XP every 6 months to a year, depending on how much you abuse your system; makes a world of difference.

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Avoid memory optimizers, they are of no use.
PageDefrag v2.32 is a decent little pagefile defragger.
JkDefrag is a very decent free defragger utility.
CCleaner is a great tool and can be configured to safely remove PC littter, it can be
potent in that if you are not careful it will remove some of your personal settings.
jv16 PowerTools 2009, probably the best registry cleaner around and all purpose tool.
JvPowerTools is a tried and true program written by a very good programmer.
Use the windows built in disk cleanup utility with the sagerun commands:
cleanmgr /sageset:99
cleanmgr /sagerun:99
Secunia PSI, run once a week or so but exit it on completion.

Other optimizations include anything from removing the minimally useful “system restore” and “remote assistance”
to disabling services that are of no use to your particular setup.
Clean instal XP every 6 months to a year, depending on how much you abuse your system; makes a world of difference.

CLiNT – I’m reading user’s reviews about jv16 PowerTools 2009, and all of them say, almost unanimously, to stay away from this program. Are you sure it’s safe to use?

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This is a great program imo, but like any registry app it has the potential for serious damage.
I myself have had no issues in it’s usage. This is also a great multi use troubleshooting app as well.

I’ve been using JV Powertools since the early days of XP through to Windows 7.
I would suggest looking for a professional type of review rather than the average user review
with whom skillsets are in question.

Give me some links to some of those reviews, I’d like to take alook myself.
Thanks
C

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This is a great program imo, but like any registry app it has the potential for serious damage.
I myself have had no issues in it’s usage. This is also a great multi use troubleshooting app as well.

I’ve been using JV Powertools since the early days of XP through to Windows 7.
I would suggest looking for a professional type of review rather than the average user review
with whom skillsets are in question.

Give me some links to some of those reviews, I’d like to take alook myself.
Thanks
C

Here are some:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/jv16-PowerTools-2010/987567453/1?all_reviews
http://download.cnet.com/jv16-PowerTools-2009/3640-2094_4-10907544.html?v=1&sb=1

If you have a link to a more “professional” review as you call it, I’ll be happy to read it.

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Hi CLiNT, rfe777 and Others :

When it comes to “registry cleaners”, I view favorably the Opinions of malware-fighting
“Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals” in what they wrote in a thread located at
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 . I’m impressed with the following in that thread :
“Mark Russinovich (Author of the “Bible”, Windows Internals, co-founder of Winternals and Sysinternals, and since both companies were bought by Microsoft, now a senior Microsoft employee) was asked:
Quote:
Hi Mark, do you really think that Registry junk left by uninstalled programs could severely slow down the computer? I would like to ‘hear’ your opinion.

His reply fairly captures my own view:
Mark Russinovich wrote:
No, even if the registry was massively bloated there would be little impact on the performance of anything other than exhaustive searches (ed. of the registry itself).

On Win2K Terminal Server systems, however, there is a limit on the total amount of Registry data that can be loaded and so large profile hives can limit the number of users that can be logged on simultaneously. ”

P.S. For CLiNT : Even 2 versions of JV16 PowerTools is discussed there ,
although the Thread originated in 2007, their 2009 version is NOT
discussed .

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The only optimization program I have used is REIMAGE, it’s even advertised in the newsletter. I would strongly discourage using this program based on my experience. After I used it (XP Pro OS) my machine crashes once or twice a day, and web browsers crash randomly also. I used the uninstall of their fixes but it was no help. They guarantee, but of course my email elicited no response. I’m putting together a Win-7 system on a new computer, so I’m living with the problem, but I would never touch this product, and probably any other again.

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I used reimage.com on two computers, it destroyed one and worked so-so on the other.
I still have one code number left, maybe I should sell it cheap?
I was not impressed.
It sounded good, but then so did BHO.

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Here are some:
http://fileforum.bet…3/1?all_reviews
http://download.cnet…4.html?v=1&sb=1

If you have a link to a more “professional” review as you call it, I’ll be happy to read it.

Those are not professional reviews, merely subjective user comments.

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