Let Windows take care of Windows


Haydon

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I am not against computer maintenance, but IMHO some people are trying way too hard to be better than Windows in taking care of Windows, thereby creating never ending problems for themselves :scream:

Why not intervene only when it's really necessary? :cool:

The 'really necessary' requires a judgement call, of course, but "if it's not broken, don't fix it" ought to be a sensible dividing line, no?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
I 100% agree with this statement.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    65W
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Cromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
some people are trying way too hard to be better than Windows in taking care of Windows
The reason for that is also Windows, which in the past hasn't done a good enough job. It still continues to leave behind a lot of junk which can be safely removed.

I have always used CCleaner to clean a lot of stuff on my laptop without any problems whatsoever. However, when I did the same on someone else's computer, it refused to boot, and I had to do a clean install. That probably explains why Windows doesn't want to do this stuff on its own because of the potential of breaking something. And much of those stuff, over time, do have a tendency to impact performance. That explains why people still look for 3rd party system maintenance tools.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I am not against computer maintenance, but IMHO some people are trying way too hard to be better than Windows in taking care of Windows, thereby creating never ending problems for themselves :scream:

Why not intervene only when it's really necessary? :cool:

The 'really necessary' requires a judgement call, of course, but "if it's not broken, don't fix it" ought to be a sensible dividing line, no?

I generally let Windows take care of Windows. Especially with 3rd party tools, I only break them out when I have something that is truly broken and other methods to resolve it have been exhausted without success.

The thing with enthusiasts is that if they believe there is performance to be gained by doing something, they will often times try to take it. Even if they cannot really quantify the gain, if common sense says system resources are less utilized, it means that performance must have also increased.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.
One of the reasons I prefer Windows over a certain fruity operating system is the fact that I can tweak it to work the way I want it to, instead of being forced to do things the way the manufacturer thinks I should. Most users stick with the setup out of the box and that's fine but not for me. Certainly, some people screw up their computers, but I think most tinkerers come out ahead of the game, or at least learn something.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stormforce Prism RTX 3070
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900X
    Motherboard
    Asus AMD TUF Gaming X570-Plus ATX Motherboard – Aura Sync RGB
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung U32H850UMU 32 inch 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1 x M2.2
    1x M2.1
    5 x HDD
    Cooling
    Cooler Master 120L AIO Watercooler
    Keyboard
    Rii wireless
    Mouse
    Generic cable
    Internet Speed
    320Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox & Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
I agree up to a point. However, letting Windows take care of Windows IS a good plan.

But when we get old and crotchety, it our "right" to make Windows better than the designers did. :D




Starting at 00:40


 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
I agree with @TheMystic I do a clean with CCleaner every 2 or 4 weeks depending on use. Norton does an automatic clean up. I don't agree with too much cleaning as you end up deleting or changing something you want. and at the end of the day, with modern HDD and SSD no one is short of space.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
One of the reasons I prefer Windows over a certain fruity operating system is the fact that I can tweak it to work the way I want it to, instead of being forced to do things the way the manufacturer thinks I should. Most users stick with the setup out of the box and that's fine but not for me. Certainly, some people screw up their computers, but I think most tinkerers come out ahead of the game, or at least learn something.
Apple follows the philosophy of providing a secure platform to get things done. For them, gadgets are just a tool to get work done, and not something to play with (and waste time).

One of the disadvantages of providing too much flexibility is the amount of time people spend tweaking things to their liking, and if something breaks (which inevitably happens), more productive time lost in repairing/ restoring it. All that is minimised when you are limited in how much you can tweak the OS.

Agree, sometimes some of the things they do is indeed super annoying and unjustifiable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Back when machines only had 2GB of RAM and 500MB of ROM, you had to keep 'em lean and clean, but nowadays..., pffft!
I investigate when things feel sluggish.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
The Apple method also provides consistency, so app developers and such can expect for the most part that everybody is running the same and the experience will be the same. It generally benefits their ecosystem.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.
The Apple method also provides consistency, so app developers and such can expect for the most part that everybody is running the same and the experience will be the same. It generally benefits their ecosystem.
I see it as locking their users into their ecosystem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stormforce Prism RTX 3070
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900X
    Motherboard
    Asus AMD TUF Gaming X570-Plus ATX Motherboard – Aura Sync RGB
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung U32H850UMU 32 inch 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1 x M2.2
    1x M2.1
    5 x HDD
    Cooling
    Cooler Master 120L AIO Watercooler
    Keyboard
    Rii wireless
    Mouse
    Generic cable
    Internet Speed
    320Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox & Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
It is what it is. People gone do what people gone do. If someone asks for help, il give it if I can. But you can only lead a horse to water.

If people are breaking things on purpose or just touching things for the sake of touching things and then asking for help then that's what they gonna do. Nothing will change how forums have been forever. It's nothing new
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    10700k@5.2
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
    Memory
    Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
    Samsung EVO 870 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair RX 650
    Case
    NZXT h510
    Cooling
    CM HYPER 212 RGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata Chroma
    Mouse
    Steelseries Rival 710
I'm very reluctant to use 3rd party "Cleaners and enhancers" for basic Windows maintenance starting with W7. Most of them work thru registry and registry use has changed since XP, lines and settings are not read sequentially but branched so any "extra" entries are just ignored.
Instead of constant cleaning I relay on prevention, Using Revo Uninstaller to cleanly uninstall any programs, even Store APPS are uninstalled with no residue on disk or in registry. Uninstalling programs thru Control panel leaves uninstallation on the mercy of program's developer and they are most often pretty sloppy leaving bunch of files all over the place.
For disk cleaning I mostly use Disk cleanup from disk properties and with latest windows from Settings Only exception is UnCleaner, UnCleaner. Get the software safely and easily. a delightful little program which I fire couple of times a week or after large amount of file deletions. It finds and delete up to couple of hundred MB which no other program finds.
Speaking of disks, HDDs don't fragment easily since NTFS and even FAT32 and for SSDs it doesn't matter, let maintenance take care of them. Since W7 Sp1, windows are SSD aware and will use optimize routine in best way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASROCK b650 PRO RS
    Memory
    2x8GB Kingston 6000MHz, Cl 32 @ 6200MHz Cl30
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Rx 6600XT Gaming OC 8G Pro
    Sound Card
    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000. 1TBSamsung 970 evo Plus 500GB, Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB, Lexar NVMe 2 TB, Silicon Power M.2 SATA 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
    Case
    Custom Raidmax
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps
Hi folks
For 90% of users that's fine -- Windows is really a complex system and way beyond the scope for average even if competant computer users -- even if they excel in other fields such as Medecine and Engineering etc. However Human history is full of examples where people have said "Surely we can make this work better or do more things" etc.

If people didn't do this perhaps we'd still be using Abacus for calculations, chopping down trees for heating and only the privileged would have any even passable if slow transportation system using horses. Communication long distance of any type would be impossible.

I'm always greatful to people here ( @Edwin !!!! tweaker extraordinaire) who display ways to get Windows working decently and in all sorts of ways that one wouldn't have thought possible - whether or not it's "officially sanctioned by Ms or not". I'm glad Windows isn't so locked in as Apple's IOS even if in some cases the Apple OS is a lot easier and friendlier to use.

One thing I never had a clue about was how to use vhdx physical files -- but from posts from others - particularly by @NavyLCDR has given me a lot more flexibility in using all sorts of Windows releases with minimal hassle of backing up entire HDD's and restoring just to mess around with multi-boot systems.

Yes there are annoyances such as overwhelming amount of bloatware on standard installations but even that can be "adjusted".

As a regular Linux user - yes Windows is mega complicated to tweak compared with Linux but thanks to people on these boards it can be done hugely successfully too -- and I'm sure Ms takes notice eventually even if it's not obvious at first look.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
I'm very reluctant to use 3rd party "Cleaners and enhancers" for basic Windows maintenance starting with W7. Most of them work thru registry and registry use has changed since XP, lines and settings are not read sequentially but branched so any "extra" entries are just ignored.
Instead of constant cleaning I relay on prevention, Using Revo Uninstaller to cleanly uninstall any programs, even Store APPS are uninstalled with no residue on disk or in registry. Uninstalling programs thru Control panel leaves uninstallation on the mercy of program's developer and they are most often pretty sloppy leaving bunch of files all over the place.
For disk cleaning I mostly use Disk cleanup from disk properties and with latest windows from Settings Only exception is UnCleaner, UnCleaner. Get the software safely and easily. a delightful little program which I fire couple of times a week or after large amount of file deletions. It finds and delete up to couple of hundred MB which no other program finds.
Speaking of disks, HDDs don't fragment easily since NTFS and even FAT32 and for SSDs it doesn't matter, let maintenance take care of them. Since W7 Sp1, windows are SSD aware and will use optimize routine in best way.
Yep - I have lost count of number of posts where a user disables things, services etc., and ends up breaking Windows.

A few years ago, automatic updates on Windows just after initial releases did cause a lot of issues e.g. start menu freezing, updates just not working, lots of crashes. However Windows 10 (and 11 as really 10 with new GUI) has come a long way, and I cannot remember any serious issues with release versions. Even Insider versions are more robust.

Anyway, site mantra is "make regular image backups" is always best advice regardless if you "TINKER" or let Windows do its job.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
... tweaker extraordinaire
I don't always do things properly, but, hell yeah, I'll take that title!
Edwin Doe, PhD, T.E. :cool:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
I literary just rebooted after I used Glary Utilities to remove some startup apps and services. Startup time before 2 minutes 30 seconds, this startup 30 seconds.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stormforce Prism RTX 3070
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900X
    Motherboard
    Asus AMD TUF Gaming X570-Plus ATX Motherboard – Aura Sync RGB
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung U32H850UMU 32 inch 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1 x M2.2
    1x M2.1
    5 x HDD
    Cooling
    Cooler Master 120L AIO Watercooler
    Keyboard
    Rii wireless
    Mouse
    Generic cable
    Internet Speed
    320Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox & Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
I literary just rebooted after I used Glary Utilities to remove some startup apps and services. Startup time before 2 minutes 30 seconds, this startup 30 seconds.
But that should give you some interest in learning more about Windows? You can very easily do things like that on your own without any tools added to Windows. Myself I enjoy playing with Windows, but as I get older I don't play with it nearly as much as I used to. Been doing it for thirty years as a career, so perhaps that's why I don't play with it as much as I used to.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Custom build
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 TI
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
But when we get old and crotchety,
Yep. That's me. I tweak things ONLY when my computing experience is made less productive by new fandangled changes MS makes that they think is better but do not give us an option of changing to meet our needs.

Don't for one minute think MS doesn't expect some users to make these changes. If they didn't they could lock this OS down tighter than a jug. They know the majority of users accept whatever changes they think we want, but they also know folks like @Brink can come up with workarounds. Don't think either, that Brink doesn't test these workarounds before he releases them here.

Where one gets in trouble is willy-nilly making boo-koos of changes that conflict with each other and then adding a third party app that complicates matters further.

As far as using some sort of maintenance program, I'm a firm believer in it. Why would I want a ton of junk and temporary files garbaging my system. Most commercially built systems these days come with a relatively small C: drive and it doesn't take long for the crap to eat up the space.

With all my files on a secondary drive, my windows installation so far uses 86 gb of 235 gb available space. This will only grow with time so I make every effort to keep my boot drive clean as I go.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Yep. That's me. I tweak things ONLY when my computing experience is made less productive by new fandangled changes MS makes that they think is better but do not give us an option of changing to meet our needs.

Don't for one minute think MS doesn't expect some users to make these changes. If they didn't they could lock this OS down tighter than a jug. They know the majority of users accept whatever changes they think we want, but they also know folks like @Brink can come up with workarounds. Don't think either, that Brink doesn't test these workarounds before he releases them here.

Where one gets in trouble is willy-nilly making boo-koos of changes that conflict with each other and then adding a third party app that complicates matters further.

As far as using some sort of maintenance program, I'm a firm believer in it. Why would I want a ton of junk and temporary files garbaging my system. Most commercially built systems these days come with a relatively small C: drive and it doesn't take long for the crap to eat up the space.

With all my files on a secondary drive, my windows installation so far uses 86 gb of 235 gb available space. This will only grow with time so I make every effort to keep my boot drive clean as I go.
Some programs that are supposed to clean junk up introduce more junk, so you end up cleaning junk by adding junk. Vicious circle. Disk cleanup is already there and is capable of cleaning junk made by windows itself and updates. Even if you don't do it manually automatic maintenance will do it for you at some time. Windows.old for instance is deleted after 10 days. Storage sense does that and more. For 3rd party junk, prevention including proper uninstall program is the key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASROCK b650 PRO RS
    Memory
    2x8GB Kingston 6000MHz, Cl 32 @ 6200MHz Cl30
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Rx 6600XT Gaming OC 8G Pro
    Sound Card
    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000. 1TBSamsung 970 evo Plus 500GB, Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB, Lexar NVMe 2 TB, Silicon Power M.2 SATA 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
    Case
    Custom Raidmax
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps

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