The following are programs that I use to help keep my
system in shape. I recommend that you give
them a try. You'll like them.
PC Pitstop!
Is your PC acting sluggish? Are strange windows inexplicably popping up on your screen?
Do you have to reboot your computer because of errors and lockups? PC Pitstop's free
computer checkup and diagnostics can help you detect and fix many common PC problems!
A full PC tune-up should be your first stop. I do this at least once per month and it helps
me keep my computers running smoothly. The information provided is invaluable.
ZoneAlarm a FIREWALL designed
to protect your DSL or cable-connected PC from
hackers. This program includes four interlocking
security services: a firewall, an Application Control, an
Internet Lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door
to your computer and allows only traffic that you
understand and initiate. The Application Control allows
you to decide which applications can and cannot use the
Internet. The Internet Lock blocks Internet traffic while
your computer is unattended or while you are not using
the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with
your computer's screensaver or after a set period of
inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer
and alert you when a new application attempts to access
the Internet.
Spamihilator: Delete more than
98% of your Spam-Mails!
Spamihilator works between your Email-Client-Software
and the Internet and examines every incoming email.
Useless spam mails (Junk) will be filtered out. This
process works completely in the background. The new
Learning Filter (Bayesian Filter) uses the rules of
Thomas Bayes (English mathematician, 18th century) and
calculates a certain Spam-Probability for every email.
You can train this filter! In addition Spamihilator
uses a Word-Filter, that searches messages for known
keywords. The program runs with almost every
Email-Software, such as Outlook 2000/XP/Express,
Eudora, Mozilla, Netscape, IncrediMail, Pegasus Mail,
Phoenix Mail, Opera, etc... And the best: Spamihilator
is absolutely free! Download the program here!
RegClean: Here is a
Free Program you can download that will Clean up your
Registry in Windows 95, 98 and Windows Me. In normal
operation the Windows Registry will to get corrupted
frequently by application programs. This is a tool
created and used by Microsoft to clean the Registry. I
run this program about once a month.
jv16 PowerTools is basically
the tool for your computer. Until now your computer might
have been the one who was in charge, but with jv16
PowerTools you can take control back. The program
contains all the tools you need for cleaning, controlling
and tuning your computer. Including a registry cleaner,
duplicate file finder, temp file finder and much more!
Spybot Search & Destroy:
Search your hard disk and Registry for threats to your
security and privacy. Spybot blows venerable Ad-aware out
of the water when it comes to protecting you against
ad-serving software.
RegSupreme v. 1.1 (605 Kb)
- With RegCleaner you can easily get rid of those old and obsolete registry entries created by software that you have destroyed ages ago.
- You don't have to be an expert to use this program. Note that this program is not like those other so called registry cleaners, they search any filenames from registry, then if the file doesn't exist anymore they remove the registry key or value where this filename was.
- But RegCleaner shows you the list of software that are registered in the registry and by checking checkboxes you select which software you don't have anymore and RegCleaner removes all registry created by those programs automatically.
- You can also remove start up programs that are started behind your back and can dramatically decrease your computer's performance.
- Small in size, free and very easy to use!
EVEREST Home Edition is a freeware hardware diagnostics and memory benchmarking solution
for home PC users, based on the award-winning EVEREST Technology. It offers the world's
most accurate hardware information and diagnostics capabilities, including online features,
memory benchmarks, hardware monitoring, and low-level hardware information.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
Published: January 31, 2005
Article adapted from "Laptops and Tablet PCs with Microsoft Windows XP Step by Step: Keep in Touch and Stay Productive--At Work, At Home, and On the Go!" by Andrew Fuller and Ravipal Soin.
Support Guide >> Setup and Maintenance
Concerned about security, software updates, or just unsure what you need to do to help keep your PC running like new? Here are links to information from around Microsoft.com and partner sites that may help.
These links will direct you to information for all Microsoft PC maintenance-related products, including: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98, and Windows 95.