New user-System Maintenance questions


Windows 11 is a very different Kettle of fish to XP - and much better (although I do miss XP). You really can just use it and not worry too much about maintenance IMO! As mentioned above, defragging is done automatically - optimised for ssd's. Windows updates also just get done automatically and you don't need to keep checking - it will notify you in the task bar when a restart is needed - if you want you can check in Windows Update before restarting to see what's being updated. But this is a much smoother, more hassle free experience than with XP.

My main tweaks with a new computer are the Windows settings

1) Turning off background apps (so they're not running in the background and slowing things up) - virtually all of them except a few you want running all the time like mail app and clock etc, Because they will just start anyway when you select one.

2) Turning off tips and ads. Checking privacy settings.

3) Adding your chosen antivirus software (or just using build in Windows Defender - which is not the old Windows Defender - it's a new av program but just called Windows Defender.

4) Tweaking menu to your liking.

5) Backing up regularly to protect files.

6) Installing your browser of choice. I prefer Firefox to Edge.

7) Check system restore is turned ON and set it (I usually set it to 10%). Before doing any backup.

8. Once you have all your programs installed and all set up how you want it - do a first system image. That way if you ever have a problem and need to reinstall, you can just restore the initial image and then add your files back in.

9) Uninstall any preinstalled stuff you don't want to keep. I actually uninstall One Drive rather than turn it off. I don't use it and it can be a big resource hog. I think it can still run in the background even when turned off. Seems to have a mind of its own.

10) It's much more secure than XP. Less checking needed.

11) You can still install Windows 7 games :) Best chess program out there.

I don't even bother to clean up files unless there's an issue. You can have trouble free computing for a very long time without doing much at all.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
THANKS to all for your time and input!
Good read, GREAT group--THANKS, again
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    FIREFOX once in a while will use EDGE
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.

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
Maybe someone could do a poll on it to establish the back up choices and percentages :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Maybe someone could do a poll on it to establish the back up choices and percentages :cool:

Its gonna be macrium, feels like half the members on this forum are sponsored by them or something with the amount of ads i see for it being posted xD
 

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 recently had my Facebook account annihilated. Who needs a dedicated social networking account, when this forum serves a similar purpose? :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
Its gonna be macrium, feels like half the members on this forum are sponsored by them or something with the amount of ads i see for it being posted xD
Absolutely. There had been some discussion between members as to what constituted "most" users :-) Thought a poll would give percentages to clarify!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Windows 11 is a very different Kettle of fish to XP - You can have trouble free computing for a very long time without doing much at all.

Yeah, Windows has become Mac in this regard (y)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
Well, we have a list of software and there are many options but at this time it's become difficult to not pick Macrium Reflect. It works well and doesn't nag the living daylights out of you (at least so far)


Data Backup Software


Macrium Reflect Free - Probably the best FREE version for the average home user
Acronis True Image Due to increased bloat and reported recovery failures it's getting difficult to recommend anymore
AOMEI Backupper (Chinese company)
Backup Maker
StorageCraft ShadowProtect Desktop
FBackup
Fab's AutoBackup
Leo Backup
Handy Backup
BackupAssist
SyncBackPro
EaseUS Todo Backup Free
UltraBack Backup and Disaster Recovery Software
Z-DBackup
Veritas Net Backup and Backup Exec
Duplicati
NovaBackup
Bacula Open Source Network Backup Solution
BackupPC

Cloud Backup Software

22 Online Backup Services Reviewed
Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive
Dropbox
bonkey, the backup monkey
SolarWinds Backup
Druva - Data management as a service
Backblaze

Snapshot and Imaging Backup

Macrium Reflect Free
Runtime Software - DriveImage XML
Clonezilla
Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
Clonezilla-SysRescCD

Disk and Partitioning

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition
SystemRescueCd
Gnome Partition Editor
Parted Magic
 

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

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