Imagine that you want to clean-up your slowing computer from balast, malwares, spywares & other virulent junk. You want your computer to run like in it’s first days. Well, forget that because you have lots of additional software installed. But you can seriously reboost the speed of your system to an optimal level. As good as it can get. And yes, you will see the difference. Let’s say that you have no clue how to begin with that. You don’t want to remove anything by hand and perform any action that could bring your system in danger. Than you need software that does that for you. And above all: It has to be free! Some tools are incorporated in Windows. Often, you find more potent free alternatives. Whenever I advice software, you use it at your own risk. Read the disclaimer. Though I can assure you that I’ve installed them on / adviced them for many different PC-compatible systems and trust these tools as far as you use them with a minimum of intelligence. I only advice a minimal set of tools here. If you have an older computer with little resources (little ram & so), stick to my first proposal for every problem. High end users can install several tools. If you want more, go check the relevant nondisputandum-page.
Here we go. Slowly at first, deeper once you get the hang of it. And remember to return often to this page as I keep it updated.

First Problem:
Taking away the virtual dust, crums and other leftovers.
This is what you do on a daily basis. It means removing temporary files & all the small bits and pieces that make no difference to the overall functionality of your system. You can tweak the software, but for novice users, it is perfectly set-up.
The best free software at the moment is Crap Cleaner. This works raving fast and does a perfect job.
Untill recently I advices good old Be Clean. This is still a valuable alternative that also contains disk cleaner*. I use them both.

More about cleaning on the System Cleaning page

Second Problem:
Disk Cleaning: Getting rid of files that have no connection with any functional software.
This takes a bit longer to perform but does not have to be done on a daily basis. Once a week for fair to heavy users.
Windows had a good (but slow) tool in it’s system work set.
* Be Clean has it also. It works fine but I would also run Windows own disk cleaner for an optimal result: Go to My Computer, and right-click the C: drive. Choose Properties, than hit the Disk Cleanup button, checking the Temporary Files and Recycle Bin. Than hit OK.
Repeat this, though after clicking the Disk Cleanup button, hit the More Options tab and choose Cleanup in the System Restore panel. Windows will now remove ancient System Restore points, liberating disk space.

Third problem:
Cleaning infections by virusses & worms.
Well, obviously you have an updated (free) virusscanner. At the time you read this, Nondisputandum uses Grisoft AVG.
Though AntiVir & Avast are also perfect choices.
The reason why I pick Grisoft AVG is that it works superbly alongside Kerio Firewall. (There are other great firewalls.)
The second reason is that both AVG & Kerio are easy on resources. Though the overall most resources friendly antivirus is AntiVir.

Now, if you stick to another antivirus solution and you want a second opinion, use Mc Afee Stinger that will check for the latest most virulent virusses. There are more on demand scanners that you can use for a second opinion, even another antivirus, but never install a second scanner in resident modus to avoid conflicts with your first scanner.
Find more on the nondisputandum- Anti Virus page.

Fourth Problem:
Getting rid of malwares & spywares.
Well, here are the majority of rogue softwares you can imagine.
The absolute novice should start with Ad-Aware. Though advanced users can download extra modules to make it even more potent.
It is no luxuary to have a second, hence even a third spywarescanner on your system. Be aware that some offer more complex security means that might conflict with one another. So to be safe, I advice as a second scanner Spyware Doctor. I know that I should write you about Spybot Search & Destroy, and I do. But Spybot is a bit ore agressive than the other two. So I would advice it for more experienced users. Spybot also has a very good registry monitor named TeaTimer. It also offers an immunisation module. Consider yourself more experienced once you know how to handle Ad-Aware & Spyware Doctor.
Something else you shoud use is Spywareblaster. This is not a scanner but only an immunizer. A very good one with regular updates.
A smart (combined) alternative to avoid all this work comes from the fRying Dutchman who developped Hitman Pro.
Read more on the nondisputandum Antu Spyware page.

Fifth problem:
Slim down your obese registry.
This is often so fattened that it will not even let your computer breath, not to mention run up that hill. Every thing your computer does is driven by codes registered in ..., oh well,.. the registry. Now be cautious because many offer tools that say to clean,... but some fu<k-up your system. Stick to known secure software. For a first light cleaning, use the free version of RegClean. This is a program to keep and run on a regular basis. It shows you what you can remove and what not. If you want to do a deep registry cleaning with software that has shown over the years to be the best in it’s kind, download the 30 days fully functional trial version of RegSupreme. If you want an even more profound job done, try the 30 days fully functional trial from ste same company (Macecraft) named jv 16 Powertools. (This contains besides RegSupreme other tools.)
More about cleaning your registry on the System Cleaning page.
 

The first line of defense:

A trustworthy provider that offers virus check & spam control on your mail. This limits viral infections by mail but does not protect your system from malwares & spywares. Don’t go for the cheap solution when it comes to the provider. Compare before you pay. Providing is more than pure theoretical speed for a fair price. It’s also a matter of bandwidth, stability, security,... and don’t forget the extra goodies like mail forwarding, DNS, webhosting,...

Your computer or network could be co-protected by a trustworthy hardware firewall (router). Wireless is fine if you configure the router decently. If not, you have an open door in stead of a second line of defense. Ask professional advice to configure your router if you are not familiar with with this kinda hardware.

• Change your browser and use Mozilla Firefox (5/5)
  The standard in open source web browsing.with a lot++ of extra features for users and web developpers*. (* custom installation).
  Tune this browser with Firetune (5/5) from Total Idea.
  This tool does a lot more with Firefox than speed it up.
  Learn how to speed-up Firefox in a few simple steps if you prefer not to use Firetune.

• All available downloads for Microsoft Products can be found on http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.
  You will find a lot to download there,... a lot.
   
• microsoft.com/windows/ie
  Provides patches to close known security holes in Swiss Cheese aka Internet Explorer.
   
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx Offers the latest security bulletins for ALL their products... Nondisputandum says: “Must be al hell of a job keeping these pages updated.”
   
• I prefer to use Microsoft’s Baseline Security Analyzer (5/5) to check what needs to be updated.
  I trust this piece of software. Don’t worry,... it was developed by non MS engineers www.shavlik.com ;-)
  www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsahome.mspx
  
  
• You might consider having a non-Microsoft tool to monitor your computer - not resident - and advice you what needs to be updated or patched: http://www.bigfix.com (4.5/5) finds what you need to download an offers direct downloads with a simple click. A must have! I use it for years now. They do little promotion,... but their tool is outstanding and contains no knows spyware or bugs. It also contains <author> Fixlet Central, a site for learning about urgent problems on your computer. With Fixlet messages targeting recently discovered security and virus attacks, bugs and software conflicts, Fixlet Central will help keep your computer safe, secure and operational. </author> But it also offers all the patches for Windows and Office that you need, nothing more, nothing less.

• Audit My PC (5/5)
  Check if your firewall does a good job,... Perhaps you need to fine tune it?
  
• Shield Up (4.5/5)
   Check your internet connection security: port scanning and netBIOS implementation.

Most good solutions are payware. In search for freeware, I can only give one advice:

• If you use WinXP home edition , get your installation CD and look in the map VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP for \NTBACKUP.MSI. Yes indeed,... the back-up tool of Windows is assumed to be such a drag that they don’t even install it automatically on your system. It is said to be a pain in the a®se,.. but it works fine, though without any hooters and bells.
   
• Microsoft Back-up. If you use XP Pro, it is all ready available in your system work set,...
  Believe me, it is not as bad as some say.
   
• To make a back-up of your Registry, you can use Erunt - The Emmergency recovery Utility NT.
  This will back-up on all NT-up systems (XP incl.) the registry to a folder of your choice. It will allow you to restore the Registry on Windows.

This is a job for system cleaners,.. but they do not always find all the useless files:

• .chk files that Scandisk created to store the found lost clusters. These files are most likely useless and if your system is stable, remove them. You can setup many system cleaners to find them for you. MS disk cleaner can also do that job. If you want to remove them by hand, XP makes a special map for them that is named \FOUND.
   
• oem*.inf files in the map WINDOWS\INF that contain 0 bytes. If there, they come from MS IE Setup, MS Update and other progs that use the MS Setup API’s.

• files in the map \ DLLcache that are copies of your essential system files.
   
• files in the map \LASTGOOD that are needed to recover from your next disaster.

• Clean it up from time to time, remove as many mails as possible and COMPRESS all maps to regain the lost diskspace.
   
• Get an anti spam solution.
   
• Teach your mailclient to recognize each undesired e.mail address. (Right click > ad to list...)
  This will stop repeated spam from the same source.
  NEVER* respond to spam! Dump it and ‘immunize’ your mailclient.
  * Responding will confirm that you have an active mailaddres. Just what they need to know.

• Windows defrag does a good enough job, perhaps not very fast... Even if you choose another solution, it is always a good idea to startup your PC in safe modus. This is done by clicking F8 during startup.

• Never use aggressive products to clean components. Disconnect your computer from the power-net & Internet and wait for an hour before cleaning your PC. Do never use a soaking wet cloth to clean your keyboard or other external components,.. no matter the rumors that say that you can hold a keyboard under running water... it might be clean but will it work again? Perhaps.
   
• Cleaning your computer also means opening the case and extracting dust from fans and internal components.
  Never do that yourself if you’re a rookie. Get some help!
   
• If you are experienced,... ground yourself and the pc. Use a cotton cloth - never anything synthetic -, some compressed air - not the compressor from the garage but the compressed air that you buy for the purpose in the computer store - and a small natural fiber pencil to remove dust. A vacuum cleaner might come in handy, but don’t set it to 1500 Watts and never touch any components. Cleaning those dirty ventilators can all ready bring down the temperature of your running system by several degrees towards normal.
   
• Once again, better leave the removal and manipulation of internal components to the (sub-) experts.
  If you are,... why are you reading this page?
   
• Anyway, if you are undaunted - at your own risk -  and those contact points are very dirty,... use no more than a soft gum to attempt cleaning them. Use a nonmagnetic screwdriver to open the case.
   
• Other advice is found on www.pcguide.com (4.5/5) and www.buildyourown.org.uk (4.5/5)
   
• Tools that you will need are:
• a nonmagnetic screwdriver
• a cotton cloth
• a (mild) vacuum cleaner
• compressed air
• a natural fiber pencil
• a soft gum (in extremis)

• Try the (anonymous) system performance test and get advice how to enhance it with some simple settings.
• http://www.pcpitstop.com (4.5/5) (Antivirus, internet speed, disk health, active X, Gator,...)

(/)

Sounds good, but for some reason not an option.

The ratings reflect the valor of software & websites for the active internet user, focussing on advanced comfort & a honest policy towards the client. All the reviewed free tools & sites have the potential to compete with commercial software. The few exclusively commercial initiatives reviewed here can not expect above a (4.5/5) rating. Not that they are less than superb but it is considered outstanding to offer superb software for a fair price. It is absolutely superb when one can have it without the obligation to pay for it. I do think it is fair to pay when equivalent free alternatives are unavailable and to donate when free software makes a difference. You will not find software reviewed below a (4/5) rating. The symbol (/) means that the software or website is reviewed but at the time for some reason excluded as a valuable option. Software or websites with a (/) code however have the potential to be selected if only: no nags, no aggressive public relations, no malware, no trackware, no tricks whatsoever, no harmful intentions. Read the disclaimer and enjoy the Nondisputandum project.

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Really good software.
Consider using it...

(4.5/5)

Outstanding software. Try it.
You will like it.

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