Clutter Slowing Down Computer?

[halfpower]

I've been told that over time clutter builds up in Windows systems. I have also been told that this clutter will significantly slow down the system's performance and that the only way to fix the problem is to reformat the hard drive. What is this clutter? Unneeded registry data? unneeded files? What causes it? Can it be reduced? Can it be prevented all together?

Thanks,
halfpower

 

[spyordie007]

Back in the windows 9x days the OS wasnt very resistant/resiliant when it came to change. The net effect was that periodically it was generally a good idea to start fresh once and again.

However nowadays a properly administered NT/2K/XP system should rarely ever require a reinstall.

 

[imported_JFG]

Maybe a good regcleaner. But I don't think it makes much of a performance hit. An occasional defrag wouldn't hurt either

 

[TwoBills]

Here's a link