Tips to keep Windows running as fast and smoothly as possible using only FREE Software
NOTE: This is a work in progress, Not yet complete
I have been repairing PC's & Laptops for as long as I remember and I have built up quiet a decent toolbox of tips and tricks over the years..
This thread will be used to share those tips and tricks and help other users to get back in control of their windows machine..
We will be starting off with the very basic stuff, Anti-virus, Anti-Malware, Registry / System cleaners, Driver Updaters etc. etc. and then moving onto the not so basic stuff over the coming weeks..
1: Apps you will need to protect & clean your Windows system
----Virus Protection
--------Rootkit Remover
--------AVG Free Antivirus
------------Configuring & using AVG Free Antivirus
--------Online Virus Scanner
----Malware Protection
--------Malwarebytes
------------Configuring & using Malwarebytes
----System Cleaning (Temp Files, Registry, Browser Cache etc..)
--------CCleaner
------------Configuring, using and task scheduling CCleaner
--------System file Scanner (sfc)
2: Essential Driver updates
----Chipset Drivers
--------Intel Drivers
--------AMD Drivers
----System Drivers
--------Windows Update
3: Administration Tools & Tweaks
----Tools
--------Autoruns
----Tweaks
--------Run Elevated Cmd in Folder from the Right click menu
--------Take Ownership of a File/Folder from the Right click menu
4: Suggested Repair tools that no techie should be without
----Boot ISO's (Use with caution, These Boot ISO's contain all the tools to destroy a system if not used correctly)
--------Parted magic
--------hbcd-15.1-Restored-V2.0-dvd-proteus
1: Apps you will need to protect & clean your Windows system
Virus Protection
Rootkit Remover
>>> Download TDSSKiller <<<
If your Anti-Virus has been out of date for a long time or worse again, you never had Anti-Virus Protection installed, the chances are that your computer has been infected by a rootkit that will hide its activities from your Anti-Virus Software. It would be advisable to run this rootkit Killer before installing the suggested Free Anti-Virus solution. Here is a brief explanation of a rootkit infection (pretty much cut and pasted from the web).
QuoteA rootkit is a stealthy type of software, often malicious, designed to hide the existence of certain processes or programs from normal methods of detection and enable continued privileged access to a computer. Once the rootkit is installed, it becomes possible to hide the intrusion and to maintain privileged access. The key is the root/Administrator access. Full control over a system means that existing software can be modified, including software that might otherwise be used to detect or circumvent (i.e. Anti-Virus Software).
AVG Free Antivirus
>>> Download AVG Free (Offline Installer) <<<
AVG will try to take over a lot of Browser setting & Hijack your homepage so follow these install notes (Mainly Step's 3,4,5,6):
1 Start the Install by double clicking the downloaded AVG-Free installer, Click next when you select your Language
2 Click Accept to License Agreement
3 Select custom install & click next
4 De-Select AVG "Add-Ons, Additional installed Language, Web Browsing" leaving only e-mail & identity protection and clink Next
5 De-Select "Use the AVG Toolbar to improve my internet protection" and click next to install AVG
6 De-Select "I want to help AVG Inprove its products..." & click finish.
Configuring & using AVG Free Antivirus
Always allow AVG to update its virus definitions
Be carefull not to upgrade to the paid version (AVG-Free has a few buttons to upgrade to Paid Version)
If you do upgrade accidentally, go to programs & Features, click on uninstall and it will give you an option to revert back to free version
If you want to remove a Drive / Folder or File from AVG, Just go to Options / Advanced Settings / Exceptions / Add Exception
If you want to Shedule a Scan, Just go to Options / Advanced Settings / Scheduled Scan
If you need to (Temporarily) Disable AVG because it is blocking a File you know is safe, just right click on the AVG Icon in the system tray & click Temporarily Disable AVG Protection
Online Virus Scanner
If you ever need a second opinion on a file that you are not sure about, just use any or all of these Online Virus scanners
Jotti's malware scan
Virustotal
Anubis: Analyzing Unknown Binaries
Malware Protection
Malwarebytes
>>> Download Malwarebytes <<<
Malwarebytes will try to install the Pro Paid for version Trial so follow install notes (Mainly Step 9):
1 Start the Install by double clicking the downloaded malwarebytes installer, Click OK when you select your Language
2 Click Next on the Setup Screen, Accept to License Agreement
3 Select "I accept the Agreement" and click next
4 Click next "When you are ready to continue with setup" screen
5 Click next to install to default location at "Set destination Folder" Screen
6 Click next to "Select Start Menu Folder" Screen
7 Click next to "Create a Desktop Icon"
8 Click Install
9 De-Select "Enable Free Trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro" and click Finish
Exit the program, This program only needs to be run if you think you are infected with Malware
Configuring & using Malwarebytes
Before you run Malware bytes, Allways run CCleaner to delete temporary files, This will speed up Malwarebytes Scan
When you start Malwarebytes, allow it to update its malware database & Click OK (Sometimes this involves Reinstall of the app so remember Step 9 above)
If (like me) you need to add exceptions for the scan go to, Ignore list and add the Drive / Folder or File to the list.
Always run "Perform Full Scan" if you think you are infected.
When the Scan completes (Usually 30 mins - 1 hour) allow Malwarebytes to remove all infections, this could require a restart.
System Cleaning (Temp Files, Registry, Browser Cache etc..)
CCleaner
>>> Download CCleaner <<<
CCleaner will try to install Browsers & Toolbars so follow install notes (Mainly Step 4):
1 Start the Install by double clicking the downloaded ccleaner installer, Click OK when you select your Language
2 Select your Language & Click Next.
3 Click next on install options & Wait for next screen!
4 De-Select "Install Google Chrome as my Default browser" & "Also install Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer" and click next
5 De-Select "View release notes" and click Finish
Configuring, using and task scheduling CCleaner
When you start ccleaner for the first time you will be asked if you want to use smart cookie scanning, this is OK to accept or you can un-tick and get ccleaner to remove all cookie data
In the main Screen you have 4 Options
1..Cleaner
2..Registry
3..Tools
4..Options
1..Cleaner:
If you are happy with all default settings, Just click Run Cleaner
2..Registry:
System file Scanner (sfc)
After you have removed all malware & Virii, it is a good idea to scan the protected system files for corruption.
To do this, you need to be logged into an account with administrator privileges.
run the command prompt and type this command:
sfc /scannow
This will start the system file checker immediately and restore any damaged or missing system files. This scan could take an hour or more.
2: Essential Driver updates
Update Intel Drivers
Update AMD Drivers
3: Administration Tools & Tweaks
Tools
Autoruns
>>> Download Autoruns <<<
This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them
Tweaks
Run Elevated Cmd in Folder from the Right click menu
Add-Elevated cmd to folder.rar
This handy reg tweak adds an option to the right click menu that allows you to run command prompt as administrator from any folder
Take Ownership of a File/Folder from the Right click menu
Use this reg setting to take ownership of files and folders, this Tweak will give you the option to take ownership when you right click on a file or folder or drive.
This can be very handy after (for example) a corrupted Windows update that has left locked folders on your HDD, just take ownership of them and delete them..
Download for XP
Add-Take-Ownership-Option WinXP.rar
Download for Win7
Add-Take-Ownership-Option Win7.rar
4: Suggested Repair tools that no techie should be without
Boot ISO's
Parted magic
>>> Download Parted Magic <<<
Parted magic is a self booting Operating System..
My main use for Parted Magic is restoring damaged or deleted partition tables but there are hundreds of other great tools also included..
hbcd-15.1-Restored-V2.0-dvd-proteus (Not so free, you will have to download this from a torrent or usenet app)
This is my most used Toolset.. It can run as a self booting OS containing all the tools you will ever need in a very user friendly Mini Windows XP environment.
There are way to many tools to mention now but I will go into more detail at a later stage.
