In a previous article we dealt with maintaining the hardware side of your PC. Now we’re going to deal with the software side; in particular, Windows. I could write a multi-page article on how to get your system running smoothly, but if you’re like me, you like simple and easy methods. There are a lot of programs out there that profess to optimize your PC but one I’ve been a fan of for a while now is CCleaner. It‘s easy to use and most importantly, it’s free!

So let’s get down to business. First off, you’ll want to download and install the program. Click the friendly link button below to do so:

CCleaner - Freeware Windows Optimization

Once you’ve installed the program, you’ll be provided with the first page as pictured below:

Analyzing files

*the black bar is just me editing the picture for privacy reasons. Your user name should show up after your scan is completed

Note that you can select the locations to be analyzed for ‘Windows’ and ‘Applications’

For novice users, I’d suggest just leaving the default options and click the ‘Analyze’ button at the bottom middle of the page. Note that it can take anywhere from several seconds to several minutes to complete the analysis. Just be patient and let the program complete the analysis. Once it’s done, CCleaner will report back the approximate size of files to be removed. Once it’s done, you can choose to ‘Run Cleaner’ to remove the files.

Next, choose ‘Registry’ from the left hand column. Click the ‘Scan for Issues’ button to the bottom middle of the program and once again wait for the program to complete the scan. Once it’s completed, feel free to review the scan but for most people, you can just go ahead and click ‘Fix selected issues’. You will be prompted if you would like to save the current registry. Make sure to do so in a location that will be easy for you to find. If after ‘fixing’ the registry, you encounter a problem, all you have to do is double click the backed up file and you will be able to return the registry to the previous state.

Analyzing Registry
Next click ‘Tools’ from the left hand column. You’ll be presented with the screen pictured below:

CCleaner tools option

Basically, you can review what programs you have installed currently on the system and take the time to uninstall any programs that you no longer use.

Next click ‘Startup’. You will be presented with a list of programs that startup when Windows boots. You need to be careful of any entry you choose to delete.  Read up on a previous article posted on this site in regards to the Windows Startup list.

http://www.hardwareproblems.com/software-solutions/speed-up-the-startup-of-windows-xp-and-vista.html

Startup List

I’ve omitted the ‘Options’ section as it includes advanced settings for the program. Most people won’t need to make any changes to it but feel free to look through the options once you become comfortable using CCleaner.

Hopefully after running CCleaner you’ll notice that your system is running much quicker. Also, if you have a few dollars laying around, I’d suggest donating it to the developers of CCleaner  so they continue their work on this great piece of software.