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.