Windows 7: Optimization

I was told (by a software engineer trying to sell me software) that my computer should be optimized every so often (3-months) to delete unnecessary files and make it run faster, and to delete any malware that may have got past the Windows Firewall and the anti-virus software. Is this true? How do I optimize my machine? Is there free software that will do this?

1. To clean temporary files use CCleaner ( Download CCleaner 2.36.1233 - FileHippo.com ).
2. If you do not yet have an AV program, use MSE ( http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ ). That is important.
3. For scanning your computer use your AV program and/or free Malwarebytes and Superantispyware.

I would do that once per month.

in additon:
Optimize Windows 7

whs -

I run CCleaner daily.
I run Windows Defender weekly.
I run Windows Malicious Software Detection Tool monthly.
I have the Windows Firewall on.
I have avast anti-virus software.
I have UAC shut off so that every Java call doesn't cause a UAC request.
I trust I am adequately protected.

Your initial post sounded as if you were still searching for the right approach. But your setup is nearly perfect as it is. I would just add one of the 2 malware scanners I have linked and run those weekly. The least thing you get rid of are tracking cookies.
I am not sure about shutting off the UAC. It is an added protection when on.

Btw: you can add MSE to Avast. They can run together. ( Threatfire Test with MSE and Avast 5 | ). It may be an overkill, but some people like that added protection.

whs -

I have added MSE to my configuration. It appears similar to Windows Defender and has replaced it as a weekly schedule task. So my prevention software is as follows.

I have the Windows Firewall on.
I have avast anti-virus software installed.
I run CCleaner daily.
I run have MSE installed and run it weekly.
I run Windows Malicious Software Detection Tool monthly.
I have UAC shut off so that every Java call doesn't cause a UAC request.
I assume I am adequately protected.

Thanks for your help.

Looks good. But would still run one of the scanners from time to time. Just make sure they do not end up in the startups-

Good choice on MSE it's much better than Defender.

The rest looks good but, I have to agree with whs, run either Malwarebytes or Superantispyware.
Once or twice a month depending on your browsing habits.

This is excellent advice. Another great freeware on-demand scanner for the scanning and removal of over 4,000,000 kinds of Viruses, Trojans, Spyware, Adware, Worms, Dialers, Keyloggers and other malign programs is the Emisoft Emergency Kit 1.0. This software was formerly known as and garnered a well respected reputation under the name of A-Squared Free until Emisoft changed its name earlier this year.

For a quick second opinion freeware Malware scanner I recommend the Hitman Pro 3.5 Cloud Scanner which scans about 9,000 files on my computer from its 'server in the cloud' in just over 1 minute and has many times found Malware detections that Malwarebytes had missed which is why I always take an extra minute after a Malwarebytes scan to get a second opinion from Hitman Pro 3.5. Hitman Pro also has a handy context menu scanner.

~Maxx~
.

Auslogices Defrag will complete the maintanince package.