Windows 7 - A couple of questions

Are the restore and backup in Windows 7 big resource hogs or can they be used.I have no money to buy a backup program..My system seems to be really slow to boot.Before the crash I had a batch file that I got some place that cleaned some hidden stuf,dont remember where I got it.Anyone know about this..

Don't run random files which you lose track of to clean or optimize Windows 7. It needs no tweaking whatsoever besides normal settings.

CCleaner and Auslogics Defraggers are what I have found works best to clean it up, nothing else.

You can use the Windows 7 backup to save an image and file backup externally, but it does waste space so its better IMO to save the image backup from when Windows 7 is running best, then periodically drag your active User files to external. If you need incremental backup use Windows 7 backup program.

If your system is slow, uncheck all startup freeloaders in msconfig>Startup tab except AV and gadgets. Use a lightweight AV like free MS Security Essentials that doesn't bog the OS. Watch the Event Viewer to Google repeat errors for solution.

Clay,
Welcome to seven forums. You have just received excellent advice from greg to which i give a strong second

I dont understand what you mean by saving the image "externaly"..

He means 7 has built in software for saving all you stuff, including settings and drivers, to an external storage device. Like a high capacity flash drive, SD memory card, or external hard drive. If you have one of those or can buy one, it is a great way to make sure you don't have to worry about losing all you stuff.

Cant do it,no money..I'm medicly handicapped and wife lost job.Not your problem,thanks for the help

Well, by high capacity flash drive, I just mean like 8gigs (that was considered a lot not to long ago), which can be about $20. But I understand to some $20 is a lot of money to spend on something not absolutely necessary.

Try some of gregs other advice. If your trying to just speed things up, use disk cleanup to remove temp files, make sure you are using the windows defragger or try the one greg recommends. Also use msconfig to make sure you don't have a bunch of stuff running at startup.