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 Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 25H2Core i5-1035G132gb
    OS
    Windows 11 Home 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3606sa
    CPU
    Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    32gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 evo sata ssd
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally came installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeIntel Core i5-1035G116gb
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion ce3606sa
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Hynix Gold P31 2TB
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
THANKS to all for your time and input!
Good read, GREAT group--THANKS, again
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

WIN11 HOME Version 24H211th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz...32GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
OS
WIN11 HOME Version 24H2
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
1Gb DWN 1Gb UP
Browser
FIREFOX- once in a great 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 VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11[email protected]Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhzGigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
[email protected]
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 Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 25H2Core i5-1035G132gb
    OS
    Windows 11 Home 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3606sa
    CPU
    Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    32gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 evo sata ssd
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally came installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeIntel Core i5-1035G116gb
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion ce3606sa
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Hynix Gold P31 2TB
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
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 My Computer

At a glance

11[email protected]Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhzGigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
[email protected]
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? ;)
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 26200.8973Amd Threadripper 7970X128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    OS
    Windows 11 26200.8973
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D Rev. 1.0
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Innocn 32" 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
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Cherry KC 500 MX LP (mechanical)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/250 Mbps (down/up)
    Other Info
    xFinity gateway
  • At a glance

    windows 11 26200.8973Intel I9-13900K64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Operating System
    windows 11 26200.8973
    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
    Philips 27E1N8900 27" OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB 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
    Keyboard
    Cherry Streaming (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (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 Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 25H2Core i5-1035G132gb
    OS
    Windows 11 Home 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3606sa
    CPU
    Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    32gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 evo sata ssd
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally came installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeIntel Core i5-1035G116gb
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion ce3606sa
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-1035G1
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Hynix Gold P31 2TB
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro
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)


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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
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Veritas Net Backup and Backup Exec
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BackupPC

Cloud Backup Software

22 Online Backup Services Reviewed
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bonkey, the backup monkey
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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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro build 25H2 x64Intel i9-13900K64GBNvidia GeForce RTX-3090 Ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro build 25H2 x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Custom build
CPU
Intel i9-13900K
Motherboard
Asus ROG STRIX Z790 E GAMING WIFI 11
Memory
64GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce RTX-3090 Ti
Internet Speed
1 Gbps
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Malwarebytes

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