In this article, I'll first show you how to get clean your system a bit, after which I'll tell you how to make it keep it clean and running afterward. After following the steps in this guide, I'm sure you'll find that you don't yet have to do that format-and-re-install procedure you had in mind! This guide is mainly aimed for Windows Vista, but everything described here can be done in XP too, with slightly different names for the Windows' applications, so it should be rather easy to follow for everyone.
The software we will be using are the following:
RadarSync - a free driver updater
Iobit SmartDefrag - a free set-it-and-forget-it defragmenter
Iobit Advanced SystemCare PRO - an all-in-one automated PC-care package.
The steps of these guide are the following, listed here to make it easier to return to the guide after some necessary reboots.
- Program Removal
- Driver Update
- Defragmenting
- Cleaning
Step 1. Program Removal
Before we get to these fance new programs, I recommend you go to:
Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features
Here you can uninstall all the programs you don't need to have on your computer. Taking care of this now will save you from a lot of trouble later, when you really want or need to get something new installed. Just browse through the list of installed programs and when you spot a program you never need, select it and click on the "Uninstall" button on top of the list. Then just follow the uninstaller instructions.
You might also want to look at the windows features and turn some of them off. You can do this by clicking the text on the left that says "Turn Windows features on or off". This will open a new window with a list of currently installed and available Windows features. Move your mouse over these features to see a short description of each, and decide whether or not you necessarily need them. If you don't just un-check the box next to it. When you're done, just press "OK" and wait for the changes to be made. Sometimes, this may require you to reboot your computer. If so, do it, and then get back here to follow the rest of the guide!
Step 2. Driver Update
The next thing you need to do, is to download RadarSync, the free driver updater. Just go to RadarSync website and click the button that says "Start Download". When the download has finished, start the installer.
On the first screen, click "Accept" to install RadarSync, but in the next screens when it asks about PC Confidential and Registry Power Cleaner, just click "Decline", because you really don't need these once you get Iobit's Software up and running. Also, uncheck the checkboxes in the last screen, or it will change your browser's starting page and add some screensaver advertising shortcuts to your desktop.
After unchecking those, just click "Accept" and wait for the installer to download and install RadarSync. When it says it's done, click "Finish". The program will start automatically and show a small window with the RadarSync's logo and a "Continue" button. Click that button, and it will show the main program window.
Here, you just need to click the big "Start Now!" button, and the program will scan your computer and find any needed driver updates for it. After the scan, the program will show you a list of available driver updates. Just click the button that says "Download all items" and then go to watch some movie or something, as this will probably take some time, depending on your internet connection speed. My movie recommendation would be "The Illusionist", a great story about life's unexpected changes and one man's efforts to control it, full of twists, starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. Warning: you may have to watch it twice to get it!
When the downloads have finished, click on the text "ready for install" next to each to remove it from the list and start the installer. Follow the steps of each of the installers. Each installer will probably tell you to restart your computer, but I'd say you don't have to do that until you've installed every one of them. Do that then, and then get back here and we'll move on!
Step 3. Defragmenting
The next thing to do would be downloading Iobit's SmartDefrag, the free, automated defragmenter with set-it-aand-forget-it functionality. Just go to Iobit website and scroll down until you see the button that says "Download freeware now". This will take you to CNET's download.com page, where you just click "Download Now" to start the download.
