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For you Windows users, MBAM is a great malware remover. It is NOT an always-on program like an antivirus program, but it is one of the best free malware scanners and destroyers around. Give it a whirl and update/scan your system regularly.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_pro

http://www.glaryutilities.com/

Glary Utilities is a neat free program that removes unnecessary files, (similar to CCleaner) and it also has a built-in startup program list and context menu editor, which means that you can get rid of those "Scan with..." or "Open with...[program name]" menus when you right click a file/folder/drive.

Revo Uninstaller - http://www.revouninstaller.com/

A great uninstall utility that scans the registry and HD after you tell it to uninstall a program to remove any traces of removed software.

The following are tweaks... make sure you have Admin rights.

Windows Vista/7 users - don't like those shortcut arrows on your icons? Remove them!
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/36 ... store.html

Disable system restore if you don't use it. Control Panel - System - Advanced Properties, System Protection tab.
While you're in this properties window, disable remote assistance via "remote" tab.
Also, go to the "Advanced" tab next to System Protection, settings under "performance." Custom, remove whatever you don't care for there. I disable a lot of them, but my favorite to disable is the maximize/minimize animation. Saves a little time.

Disable UAC if it bugs you all the time.
Control Panel - User Accounts - Change User Account Control settings.

Clean out your Users/*name*/AppData/Local/Temp folder regularly. If you get an error deleting a file, then skip that one. Make sure you can view hidden files/folders (Control Panel, Folder Options).

Empty recycle bin regularly.

Keep Windows up-to date. Install all recommended updates. Run virus and malware scanners regularly (once a month or so). Defrag every 6 months, at least 1x a year for each HD.

Disable/tweak your services.msc (windows+r keys, type services.msc and ok): Follow this guide (SAFE guidelines).
http://www.blackviper.com/2010/12/17/bl ... gurations/
If you're on a desktop you can disable Adaptive Brightness if your monitor doesn't have a built-in light sensor.
Disable Fax and Telephony (don't disable telephony if you use dial-up).
If you connect via ethernet only (don't use wireless) disable WLAN auto config.
If you have PC with bluetooth, disable the service if you never use it.

Some registry tweaks:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/ ... geNumber=1

*For every modern-day OS: If you have money to spend, get an SSD and install your OS on that drive. Use a regular HD for documents, music, photos, etc. Big performance boost.

Why should I use Glary over ccleaner? Why should I use MBAM if I already use MSE?

Donfuy wrote:Why should I use Glary over ccleaner? Why should I use MBAM if I already use MSE?

Glary doesn't kill your N .sol file.
MBAM updates more frequently and picks up on malware that MSE and other antivirus/security programs do not.

l'oeuvre wrote:

Donfuy wrote:Why should I use Glary over ccleaner? Why should I use MBAM if I already use MSE?

Glary doesn't kill your N .sol file.
MBAM updates more frequently and picks up on malware that MSE and other antivirus/security programs do not.

...so you're saying Glary does less stuff than CCleaner.
You know that the "deleting your .sol file" thing can be fixed by just checking a box on ccleaner's settings, right?

No, they do the same thing. They're both registry cleaners.

It's a matter of preference, really. They're pretty similar programs that do the same thing. It's similar to ZSNES and Snes9x. They do the same thing, just differently.

I have to commend Revo Uninstaller, it works great. I used it with my new laptop, and it's easy to remove a lot of bloatware instantly than to have to individually uninstall. Plus annoying taskbars in ie/browsers that don't uninstall.

Malwarebytes is the only other I like, the others I don't really have a use for.

And as for the discussion above, I'd prefer CCleaner. More well known imo.

I've had clamwin and peerblocker for years. Not even a firewall. Been just fine.

Some ISPs have built in firewalls into the router or some sort of virus/malware protection. I haven't gotten a virus/spyware in years. *knocks on wood*