Windows Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your computer system, let’s face it, is like doing household chores.  As most of us can attest, household chores are never-ending and we keep putting them off until they pile up and have to be done.  It’s easy to feel chained to these tasks.  However, doing basic chores can result in more comfortable and organized living conditions.  This is the same for computers – basic cleaning procedures can lead to a faster, more responsive system.  We can regain that “just like new” experience with the right cleaning regiment.  What will surprise you is that most computer maintenance tasks can be scheduled so that much of the process is self-cleaning.

Recent Windows operating systems offer a variety of tools for cleanup and maintenance.  Considering the day-to-day use that today’s computer systems take, routine maintenance and upkeep are essential.  If you do not have a regular system cleanup regime this article is for you.  The topics introduced here are touched on briefly to get you started.  We will leave it to you to dig deeper by using links to other articles and to resource sites.

There are numerous Windows cleanup procedures and onboard utilities available to you.  We will cover the following:

-          Hardware cleanup and maintenance

-          Disk general cleanup (storage, temp files, etc.)

-          Disk cleanup defragmentation

-          Disk error-checking

-          Performance related cleaning (tweaking virtual memory, startup, and shutdown)

-          Registry cleaning

-          Receiving Microsoft updates

-          Cleaning up malicious software

All of these are touched on here with the exception of performance related subject matter which can be found in more detail in other articles.  If you are having specific issues and concerns you can look to our other articles.  If for example, you have a computer that is suffering due to issues related to system memory (low in RAM), you can take a look at the following article: http://www.fix-pc-errors.com/virtual-memory.htm   If your computer is slow to turn on, check out the Startup article:  http://www.fix-pc-errors.com/windows-startup.htm

Hardware Cleanup

To begin, there are regular cleaning tips for your hardware components.  Seeing as your computer can’t self-clean when it comes to dust and dirt, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and clean it by hand.  To get started you will need to be properly equipped.  We highly recommend that you purchase an aerosol can of compressed air, a dust mask, a cleaner for plastic surfaces, and a cleaning cloth.  How frequently you need to do this depends on use and environment conditions.  If you have a fair bit of dust in your computer room, your onboard fan will pull dust inside your computer.  In time this can cause havoc with normal ventilation; components can heat up and it can result in the eventual failure of internal system mechanisms. 

Using a can of compressed air to blow out the dust is an easy process that should be done once a year (refer to the first link listed below).  When blowing out the dust you want to make sure not to spin the small internal fan with the air pressure from the aerosol can.  If the blades of the fan are moved in such a way, it can damage the fan and potentially cause a current to build up so as to damage the motherboard.  We recommend holding the blades of the fan when you blow the air in the direction of the fan.

Your computer mouse is used every day.  It is common for people to become frustrated with a mouse cursor that does not respond very well or move the way it did when it was purchased.  There is no need to buy a new mouse until you have checked out the possible causes of the problem.  If you are using a mouse with a roll ball in it (at the bottom), regular cleaning of the ball and the contact points can vastly improve responsiveness.  If you clean it and you are still running into issues you might want to check device drivers from the manufacturer.

Your keyboard and monitor should be cleaned periodically as well.  We suggest the following links for instructions and video tutorials:

-   Computer box (internal chassis): http://www.ehow.com/how_3664_clean-computers-insides.html

-   Monitor: http://www.ehow.com/how_940_clean-computer-monitor.html

-   Keyboard cleanup: http://www.ehow.com/how_2026_clean-computer-keyboard.html

-   Keyboard spills: http://www.ehow.com/how_113592_clean-keyboard-spills.html

-   Mouse (with roll ball): http://www.ehow.com/how_113678_clean-fix-mouse.html

-   Laser printer cleaning: http://www.ehow.com/how_3675_clean-laser-printer.html

-   Ink-jet printer cleaning (cases and cartridges): http://www.ehow.com/how_3674_clean-ink-jet.html

An ounce of prevention can go a long way.  This means having your computer in a clean environment and not having food and drinks near to your computer.  But if this is too difficult and if you frequently find yourself spilling items on your keyboard and mouse you might consider the latest in dishwasher-safe, washable peripherals.  Now you can actually wash your keyboard and mouse.  Seal Shield Corporation has developed a fully submersible, dishwasher safe mouse and keyboard.  These devices are also purported to fight the contamination of infections.  You can check these out at: http://sealshield.com/

System Cleanup

Microsoft Windows operating systems offer tools to cleanup or perform administrative tasks on your system.  There are a set of system tools available and there are also tools related to the hard disk drive.  To begin, we will examine the system tools.  There are several of these and they vary from one operating system to another.  You can access the system tool list by doing the following:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select All Programs | Accessories | System Tools.

We can go through these one at a time as they appear on a Windows XP system – keep in mind there are some differences depending on what operating system you are running.  We have used italics to identify the system utilities pertaining primarily to cleaning.  Other tools relate to maintenance or are useful for system information or performing particular computing tasks.

System Tools

Disk Cleanup

The Disk Cleanup is a system tool designed to clean up your hard disk drive.  When you double-click the Disk Cleanup option (as described above), it immediately begins by calculating how much space you can free on your drive.  You can expect to wait until you will see the following:

As seen here, there is a list of items that are temporary stored on your system including application files that are downloaded and used for temporary use, your cache of Internet files, the Recycle bin items (all files that are deleted are sent to the Recycle bin and have not been permanently deleted), and other categories of temporary files.

You can click on each of these items and see the description that appears in the lower section of the window.  This description includes information on which items you can safely remove as well as those that Microsoft recommends not removing.  After you are sure that you can safely delete the items you can proceed with the deletion process.  To delete items do the following:

1. Check categories you want to delete.
2. Click OK.

Recommendation:

While Microsoft offers this utility it has some shortcomings.  Instead, we recommend ParetoLogic Privacy Controls.  It is designed specifically to scan a wide range of applications as well as your computer system.  It offers the option to delete or permanently shred files (overwrite the information), and there are safeguards to ensure you do not remove anything crucial to system functioning.  ParetoLogic Privacy Controls can be found by following this link: Privacy Controls

Disk Cleanup - More Options

Once you have dealt with the deletion of files, you can open the Disk Cleanup utility again and explore the “More Options” section.  From the More Options tab you can access three other cleaning tools including:

With each of these tools you need to click the Clean up button associated with each in order to get started.

Windows components:

After you click the Clean up button in the Windows Components section you will see the wizard dialog that opens with a list of system components.  You can select each item in the Components list to get a description.  In some instances a Details button is offered that you can click to get more information.  When you are sure of the components you want on your system you can begin.  To modify the Windows components on your system do the following:

1. Check the items you want on your system and clear the boxes of items you do not want.
2. Click the Next button. 
3. Click the Finish button.  You may be asked to restart your computer so save all your work and close all your programs first. 

Warning: This utility can be confusing in that you have the option to add or remove the items in the list.  Make sure you have a working copy of your operating system installation disc on hand in case you need to add Windows items.

Installed programs:

This tool is a direct link to the Add and Remove Programs utility offered in the Control Panel.  Add or Remove Programs is very useful especially when you have installed many applications or there are programs you simply do not use.  It is common to have extra programs installed at the same time you install an application you need.  For example, printing software often comes with card making programs.  Now you can assess whether you need these programs or if they are taking up space on your system.

System Restore:

Another way to save disk space is to remove all the restore points but the most recent ones.  However, the restore point files will build up again and, in roughly a few months, it will be back to the way it was.  On the Microsoft site: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx, there are frequently asked questions and answers about this utility with respect to disk space.  One important fact to consider – you need to have space available on your system for system restore files.  The System Restore utility does not reserve disk space.  It does have default settings with respect to how much space it takes up.  For disk drives that are 4 GB or more in size, the restore utility takes up to 12% of the hard disk.  For drives below 4 GB, the System Restore utility, by default, takes up only 400 MB of disk storage space. 

The functionality of this utility is limited to available disk space.  If disk space is an issue for you we suggest changing the settings.  Here is how you can adjust the System Restore settings for Windows XP.

1. To open the System Restore utility settings do one of the following:

• Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, select Properties, and click the System Restore tab.
• Click the Start button and select All Programs | Accessories | System Tools and select the System Restore option.  In the left pane of the window that opens click the System Restore Settings option.

2. In the Disk space usage section, adjust the slider to a new position.  The size and percentage can be viewed below as you adjust the setting.
3. Click Apply and click OK.

Disk Properties

Now that we have covered the System tools we can review the Disk tools that are available on your system.  To access Disk Properties do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer and right-click any disk drive, such as: “Local Disk (C:)”.
2. Select the Properties option. 

General tab

You will notice on the General tab there is a Disk Cleanup button – another way of accessing the Disk Cleanup utility.  There is also useful information about the type of file system and the amount of used and available free space.  This is the best place to check out if you have enough free space on your disk drive.

Tools tab

There are three tools available on the XP system: Error-checking, Defragmentation, and Backup.  The Backup tool has been addressed earlier in the System tools section. 

Error- checking

The Error-checking tool is not a cleaning tool per se but is useful and it warrants mention here.   This is a good diagnostic tool if you feel you are having issues with your disk drive – specifically, if there are physical errors or “bad sectors”.  You could also be experiencing issues related to directory-errors, files that are cross-linked, or I/O errors.  “I/O” is short for input / output and, simply put, refers to the transfer of data from one computer component to another.  If your disk drive is failing, if you are receiving error messages, or there are problems with I/O operations, you can run this tool to check and to even repair the situation.  Depending on your computer use, error checking should be performed on a regular basis.  See the Chkdsk article for more information: http://www.fix-pc-errors.com/chkdsk-definition2.htm

Disk Defragmenter

In time, your hard drive is less contiguous; files are no longer in close proximity to one another and are instead disjointed and fragmented.  Regular defragmentation of your hard drive should occur once you begin day-to-day computing activities.  This includes browsing the Internet, downloading files, installing, uninstalling, creating and deleting items, and more.  The Disk Defragmenter works to rearrange stored items on your computer so as to speed up system responsiveness.  For more information on defragmentation see the article:  http://www.fix-pc-errors.com/defragmentation.htm

Registry Cleaning

A common theme up to this point is that daily, active use of your computer requires regular maintenance and cleaning.  The registry is no exception.  As programs are installed and uninstalled on your system there are traces of items left behind.  These registry entries are considered “orphaned” and add to the unwanted clutter.  The registry is a central component in the functioning of your system.  Without your registry your computer would not run.  It is the database that stores all information related to software, hardware, the users on your system, and the computer preferences and settings.  The computer has to reference this data on an ongoing basis during basic operations.

Performance can decrease when the registry becomes excessive in size.  Regular and scheduled cleaning of the registry is recommended here.  With Windows 95, Microsoft offered a tool to assist with registry cleaning (accessed by going to Start | Run and typing regclean).  However, there are no similar tools onboard with the more recent Windows operating systems.  Manual cleaning of the registry would be a daunting task and could lead to serious repercussions and even irreversible damage.  We recommend using RegCure for this task.  RegCure provides easy and thorough scan and remove technology.  You can schedule scans to take place and it is safe to use as it creates a backup every time you use it.

Windows Updates

Part of regular maintenance and upkeep for any mechanical device includes making sure that you have the most up-to-date accessories.  Microsoft offers ongoing free updates for the operating system, Internet Explorer, and for other Microsoft products.  While security patches are available to everyone, users must have their copy of Windows validated in order to receive other updates.

The update process is automatic but you can also periodically use the online tool to check what items are available for you to download.  For some previous Windows systems this tool is not available or accessing it may be different than described here.  To open and use Windows Update for Windows XP, do the following:

1. Click the Start button and select Windows Update.
2. Your Internet browser opens to the windows update site.  Click the Express or the Custom button.

We recommend starting with the Express option and getting any high-priority updates.  Once you have done this you can run the tool again and choose the Custom option to get any other available updates you feel are required.

3. The online tool checks your system for any updates.  When it is done, click the necessary links to review and install updates. Your browser will appear as seen here:

4. After you review the items (expand the area to see descriptions), you can check the box of the items you want to install.  We recommend downloading all items that are listed as “critical” updates and “high priority” and that are applicable to your needs.
5. Click Install Updates. 

Tip: If you are looking for Office updates you can go here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/default.aspx.  Microsoft is offering an update tool that offers updates for Windows and for Microsoft applications including Office.  You can click the Check For Microsoft Updates button.  This will likely mean having to install more updates when you shutdown your computer, but this is handled automatically.

Operating System Updates

If you prefer to have only the necessary Microsoft updates as they become available then you can follow this link: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/basics/updates.mspx.  Microsoft states that these updates “…contain new software that helps keep your computer current.

Examples of updates include service packs, version upgrades, security updates, drivers, or other types of updates.” 

These are crucial to the security of your computer system.  You may be asking what security has to do with system cleaning.  One of the leading causes of system performance degradation is the installation of unwanted items on to your computer many of which are malicious software, also known as malware.  Closing the holes where these invading items enter is one part of the battle.  The other part is detecting the ones that are already on your system and then removing them. 

Malware Removal

You may be more familiar with the term “spyware”.  The term spyware has become a bit outdated.  At one time it referred to technology related to espionage.  To date, malware takes on many of the same traits including covert behaviour and unauthorized data collection.  As early as the beginning of 2000, malware items were created to install on your computer system without consent and to take over some level of system control.  Often times this means displaying advertisements or it could be alteration of your Internet browser by adding a toolbar or changing your home page.  These changes can be very difficult to remove manually.  Sophisticated malware can propagate itself in order to stay resident on your system. 

Where are these items coming from?  Virus attacks spread from one computer to another usually via email attachments.  Most modern malware is installed to your system from automatic downloads to your computer when you browse to a web site.  Ever time you visit a site files are downloaded and temporarily stored on your computer.  Some malicious items install themselves in other areas more central to computer functioning such as the registry or with system files.  Malware can also be installed to your system when bundled with legitimate software.  Some malware use Trojan horse techniques and others, called “rogue anti-spyware” use false advertising by claiming they can remove malware.  Once it is on your system you cannot uninstall it by regular means.

Just how prevalent is this issue?  In a study performed by the National Cyber-Security Alliance (October 2004), it was found that these items were found on 80% of the computers they tested and that there was an average of 93 malware items on the infected computers.  They also discovered that the majority – 89% of those with infected computer systems – were not aware their system had been compromised.

The potential effects of malware include slower system performance, computer crashes, items that take control of your system, personal information stolen or used for marketing purposes, and, in some cases, theft of finances from online access of funds.  The need to detect and remove these items is critical.  Attempting to do this by manual means is not recommended.  How does one even adequately detect an infestation of 90 or more malicious files scattered throughout a computer system.

We recommend letting the experts handle this.  ParetoLogic Anti-Spyware includes thorough scanning and removal and it can even detect when spyware attempts to download itself to your system.  It uses backup functionality and can be scheduled to run on a regular basis.  Best of all, there are free automatic updates so that you can get the most up-to-date protection.  You can also get the version with Spam Contols – this works really well at handling your email spam before it gets to your Inbox.  Keeping your email folders clean can seem like a full-time job even with the legitimate emails you receive.

Summary

There are many areas covered here which will get you well on your way to running a cleaner and more efficient system.  Cleaning practices on a computer can seem like doing chores – tiresome and never-ending.  However, many of the items recommended here include scheduling features so that your system self cleans on a regular basis.  Spending time on your computer does not have to be a frustrating experience. 

Good cleaning practices include the following:

·         Regular backups: SyncToy for personal files and the System Restore utility for system recovery.

·         ParetoLogic Privacy Controls for removing unwanted and temporary files on your system.

·         Regular error-checking and defragmentation using the built-in system tools.

·         RegCure for cleaning the registry.

·         ParetoLogic Anti-Spyware or XoftSpySE for malware cleaning.

·         And don’t forget an aerosol can for getting out the dust from the hardware.