Current best Windows 7 PC Cleaner
October 23, 2017 7:20 AM   Subscribe

My Windows 7 PC needs a cleanup. I used to use CCleaner, but since the recent malware attack, I'm a little leery of it, though I do know they fixed that specific problem. Any recommendations for how to best clean up my PC?

I've got a Bitdefender update that keeps trying to run but can't, some Brother scanner software I can't uninstall OR update OR use to scan, and probably a bunch of other old stuff that isn't useful but I don't see. It's past time for a good cleanup. I do know to back up the registry before running anything, but suggestions for what to run after that would be great. Thanks!
posted by still_wears_a_hat to Computers & Internet (3 answers total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
The wonderful SwiftOnSecurity has a wonderful holiday guide on how to refresh a computer.
posted by Static Vagabond at 8:53 AM on October 23, 2017 [4 favorites]


Most of the cleaners are snake oil so I suspect that none of them will fix your problems.

If you've got the time then I'd back up your drive (take an image if you can), back up your program settings (CloneApp), backup your drivers (Double Driver), backup your keys (ProduKey and KeyFinder), backup your Windows and office activation (Advanced Tokens Manager) and then do a full format and re-install of Windows 7.

After you've installed Windows, use Device Manager to install the missing drivers which you backed up onto your USB stick. Once completed, reboot and then use Advanced Tokens Manager to re-enable your Windows licence.

Then install KB3102810, KB3138612 and KB3145739 before you run Windows Update. Once done, you may wish to create an image of that install in case you need to go back to it again in the future.

Now copy back your files, install the programs you want (use ninite to automate this) and then use CloneApp to restore the settings for each of them.

Yes, it's longer than running some clean up tool, but you'll get significantly better results.

Finally, don't bother with Bitdefender, Windows comes with a perfectly okay firewall and anti-virus built in.
posted by mr_silver at 10:44 AM on October 23, 2017 [3 favorites]


Windows comes with a perfectly okay firewall and anti-virus built in

Windows 8+ does. The version of Defender that ships with 7 doesn't do antivirus, just antispyware and antiadware. To get the same antivirus engine in 7 that the 8+ versions of Defender use, you need to install MS Security Essentials.
posted by flabdablet at 11:12 AM on October 23, 2017 [1 favorite]


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