Do you use system utility software?

[Edge1]

Does anyone out here use system utilitiies that are intended to generally keep things running clean and smooth? I've used System mechanic in the past with success, although I don't need its defrag feature. I do use Diskeeper for that already.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a utility of this type?

Are they worth it? If not, what regular steps should be taken to accomplish the same tasks?

Preferably whatever software might be used will not leave a huge imprint in terms of system resources.

Thanks for any thoughts on this topic.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No, just setup and backup tools from Acronis (True Image, Disk Director).

Is there any feature in the package that you think makes a real difference?

 

[Edge1]

I guess that's the $64K question. I see things like registry repair and backup, "clutter" removal, "optimizes" this and that, and begin to wonder if I'm dragging my machine down unnecessarily without such a utility. System Mech seemed to do a good job on my old PC, but eventually I got the feeling it was too much of a resource hog.

But I do have the same Acronis products that you have, as well as Diskeeper. So maybe just try to clean up things manually? Things like temp files and so forth.

Just want to keep my new build running clean and fast as possible.

 

[Nothinman]

Just want to keep my new build running clean and fast as possible.

All you need is common sense for that.

 

[Edge1]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Just want to keep my new build running clean and fast as possible.

All you need is common sense for that.

Now that was truly helpful.

 

[phantom404]

I just downloaded and installed CCleaner and Love it. Cleans registry, temp files, etc. and its FREE!!!

 

[Nothinman]

Now that was truly helpful.

It is, if you understood how the system worked under the covers you'd realize that in most cases all of those optimization tools are snake oil. Most of the time when orphaned files and registry entries exist the only real effect they have on the system is a bit of wasted disk space. So using common sense about what you install will take care of 99% of the issue.

 

[Edge1]

Originally posted by: phantom404
I just downloaded and installed CCleaner and Love it. Cleans registry, temp files, etc. and its FREE!!!

Thanks phantom - I'm going to take a good look at that.

 

[Edge1]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Now that was truly helpful.

It is, if you understood how the system worked under the covers you'd realize that in most cases all of those optimization tools are snake oil. Most of the time when orphaned files and registry entries exist the only real effect they have on the system is a bit of wasted disk space. So using common sense about what you install will take care of 99% of the issue.

Thanks Nothinman for elaborating a bit. My problem is admittedly not fully understanding what's going on "under the covers", therefore I am unsure of myself. Like anything else technical, I want to learn more, but I'm not there yet.

 

[lxskllr]

I wouldn't worry about most of those utilities. It's been my experience that they either do nothing for performance, or sometimes even make it worse. I defragment on occasion with windows built in utility, and cleanup old files. That's about all you really need.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Now that was truly helpful.

It is, if you understood how the system worked under the covers you'd realize that in most cases all of those optimization tools are snake oil. Most of the time when orphaned files and registry entries exist the only real effect they have on the system is a bit of wasted disk space. So using common sense about what you install will take care of 99% of the issue.

I was fixing to post the same thing. Cheers :beer:

I just downloaded and installed CCleaner and Love it. Cleans registry, temp files, etc. and its FREE!!!

:thumbsup:

 

[jjones]

I have ASO but rarely use it. My XP install runs great without using those kinds of utilities. The real trick to keeping your system speedy is maintaining what starts up at boot. As you install programs, it seems everything these days wants to start up something at boot but I only allow ctfmon (language), nVidia control panel, AV and firewall to start; no need for all that extra crap.

BTW, this not only means msconfig, but services as well. I use Roxio and that installed several services to start automatically. I sh!tcanned those, and any others installed by programs, and the only extraneous services I'm running, other than AV and firewall, is apache and mysql.

 

[Edge1]

All really good feedback.

I'll perhaps check out CCleaner but won't plan on anything else.

jjones - startup services are something that I'd like to keep a handle on. Way too many apps want to "integrate" themselves into the startup routine. But which ones to turn off is the question. Mine's a new install with a minimum of apps, so I'm ahead of the game in that respect. Will just try to stay on my toes and keep an eye on startup services and so forth.

Not to belabor this too much, but a simple question: is going to the Control Panel-->Internet Options-->Temporary Internet Files-->Delete Cookies-->Delete Files enough to clear out most web junk? Again please pardon my noobness.