I want a program that can analyze your windows system's computer processes and start-up programs, then help you remove stuff to speed up your PC
Have you tried going to Start > Run > type in msconfig That should allow you to change which programs start up. Also you can goto control panel and Services to choose service startup type. I don't know any programs that do any of this automagically. Best method to get rid of junk is format and reinstall.
You can try System Mechanic by Iolo, a free trial will be all you need. I used to use it years and years ago, it's a bit bloated these days but it does the job.
I know that TuneUp Utilities used to give an almost full-featured evaluation version for free, that should be enough to remove lots of unnecessary junk from the computer. I haven't used it in a long while anyway, I'm more confortable removing stuff on my own rather than using programs, it allows me to have more control of what I remove.
Do what MottZilla is saying. I go through startup processes in msconfig as part of my routine at work. Some guy tipped me $40 one night for basically disabling some of his startup processes, which was pretty awesome. Just don't disable print spooling drivers or something that looks like it could be essential.
MSconfig is the way forward. Hit the 'Startup' tab. Google the name of each process to see what it does. You don't need Adobe/Apple/Quicktime updaters and shit like that. Graphics card and audio utilities can be disabled unelss you use the options they provide in your system tray. I only have my antivirus, Firewall, MSN, and my laptop's sound enhancement utility set to come on at boot. I have like 50 startups in the list with only those selected. Download CCleaner and run that. Download Spybot - Search and Destroy and run that. My computer,right click your hard drive, properities, turn off idnexing. This makes your manual searches faster. I always turn it off and see no real difference. Uninstall any programs you don't use. My laptop is nearly three years old and still running slick and fast on the factory install of XP (y)
Once you've done everything described, make sure your hard drive isn't fragmented. If you don't know how to do this, just go to Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Defragmenter, and click Analyze. If you need to defragment then it should speed up your computer pretty noticeably.
Look up WinXP Manager by Yamicsoft. Does junk file clean up, unused registry deletion AND defragmentation as well as smart uninstallation of software where it also searches for registry entries and other files that are left behind when you do a normal uninstall of said software. It is a trial version but you really only need to run it once. Do everything it says, such as back up registry, etc before deleting and defragging the registry. I've used this software on ALL PCs that were full of junk and running slow. I have experienced noticeable boot up speed after running Junk File Cleaner, Registry Cleaner, and Registry Defrag (do this one dead last). I highly recommend this over anything else.
Hijackthis is FREE and will tell you whether you have anything you shouldn't have on your computer. Well, it'll tell you WHAT is there on startup, you have to analyze the list yourself or use the tool at www.hijackthis.de. Doing this will identify in a clear manner what's good, what's bad, and exactly what every process belongs to, so should make it easy to see what can be removed. To be honest, if you don't want something running on startup, either uninstall it or most legitimate programs will have an option not to run on startup in the preferences.
You mean CCleaner? They changed the name ;-) It's alright for getting rid of stuff you don't need (bad registry links etc.) but it doesn't really speed your computer up if you're suffering lag. Remember that the lag is most likely caused by a lack of RAM and using virtual RAM, so check how much you have and think about a RAM upgrade. I'd recommend at least 1Gb for XP and at least 2Gb for Vista... 2Gb for XP and 3 or 4Gb for Vista is preferable, though. Oh, and don't forget that a 32 bit Windows OS won't see more than 3.2Gb RAM so it's fairly pointless trying to load a huge bunch into such a system!
Offtopic: Anyone here remember when having 1GB of RAM on your PC was reserved for absurdly high end stuff (servers, CGI) and your silly desktop maxed out at 128MB? Ontopic: I second CCleaner, MSconfig. Another not mentioned but in the same vein as hijackthis, is spybot. its got a msconfig like section with very helpful descriptions for most startup items and what really needs to be enabled.
I do remember when you wouldn't dream of having 1GB in your desktop and you'd maybe having a max of say 128 - 256MB, i always remember never having anything bigger than 128MB sticks in my machine and maybe having a maximum of 2 of them and thinking that was more than enough. Nowadays 1-1.5GB is the minimum you'd have for basic computer use and 2GB is the standard amount to have. Anyway on topic, Another good thing i used to find useful when i had a machine with not much ram was FreeRAM xp or any other ram boosting programs as it would sort out your ram so that you'd not have it all being taken up by things that didn't need it.
My fave tool for years now! http://majorgeeks.com/download460.html Small, simple and the user has to have some idea of what is going on. Pretty much like the msconfig, just more user friendly and more features. You can work on auto-start entries, but also delete parts of installed software packets (often handy with driver-app suites for printers etc, some adobe software etc..) Has a useful reg cleaning feature. What AV app are you using? Some REALLY slow down your PC more then others.
I never knew that. Good hint. I'm on 2Gb with XP at the moment but I keep getting the Blue Screen of Death when I run a lot of stuff. Deffinatly a memory problem I think although the Windows memory checker says that the memory is fine As for cleaning up the PC I think SpyBot (As already mentioned) is a very good move after cleaning up the startup list. Run it before a defrag though. yakumo
