My PC is slightly slowing down - cookies??

[ukthesis]

My PC is slightly slowing down and I wonder if the cookies are the cause. How do I remove them?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

How depends on the browser you use. Firefox? IE?

But that isn't likely the cause.

 

[richc46]

A clean boot will show the cause. Its not cookies.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
Also make a full anti virus scan
Download the free version of malwarebytes and make a full scan

 

[ukthesis]

A clean boot will show the cause. Its not cookies.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

I can't find the option Hide All Microsoft Services. See attachment 1. Also attached my stage I'm up two (2)

I'll also do as the other posters says above, but as a beginner, I don't want different advice coming in to confuse the issue (as can happen, from personal experience).

And since I'm not confident with any of the technicalities, I would prefer not to get involved in procedures that involve entering commands, etc. that I can't easily get out of if there's a problem (the instructions at "How to Check / Repair the Windows System Files from a Command Prompt at Boot" look suspiciously like this type).

 

[richc46]

The forum rules state that any member is free to contribute any ideas that he thinks will be helpful.
You can avoid confusion, by working with one member at a time. If those solutions do not work, move on to the next.
Hide MS services is checked in the lower left of your screen image.

 

[t-4-2]

A clean boot will show the cause. Its not cookies.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

I can't find the option Hide All Microsoft Services. See attachment 1. Also attached my stage I'm up two (2)

I'll also do as the other posters says above, but as a beginner, I don't want different advice coming in to confuse the issue (as can happen, from personal experience).

And since I'm not confident with any of the technicalities, I would prefer not to get involved in procedures that involve entering commands, etc. that I can't easily get out of if there's a problem (the instructions at "How to Check / Repair the Windows System Files from a Command Prompt at Boot" look suspiciously like this type).

>>> but as a beginner, I don't want different advice coming in to confuse the issue (as can happen, from personal experience).

In that case, I'll delete my original reply.

 

[Sardonicus]

AVG can slow down your system due to it's resident scanner constantly scanning.
You may want to uninstall it and try MSE or another program.
That may just be part of the problem, though.

 

[seavixen32]

If it's cookies you're concerned about, you can always delete them from time to time.



Failing that, run Disk Cleanup. Just click Start and type Disk Cleanup in the Search field.

 

[ukthesis]

What I mean is that I want to go through the basic checks, explained for the beginner. If they don't work, I have enough money to pay for someone to go through it for me.

Okay, I have Firefox, using AVG Free Edition, using Spybot also. The Windows firewall is switched on.

These were recommended for me, so I want to try to stay with them. I know that there are as many recommendations as there are anti-virus and other similar programs. But I also know (since it happened to me) that if you are not careful, you'll end up with incompatible programs hitting each other.

Back to this one I was just on.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

It says:

"Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points."

What exactly does this mean?

 

[seavixen32]

If malware is the culprit and causing your computer slow down then Malwarebytes is an excellent utility, you can download it here: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Reviews and free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware downloads at CNET Downloads

It's best to run it in Safe Mode with Networking (just keep pressing the F8 key during startup and choose from the list of options). The software will scan your computer and inform you of any nasties it finds, which you can then quarantine or delete.

If AVG isn't doing the business you might consider uninstalling it and using Microsoft Security Essentials instead: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security_essentials/default.aspx

As for using Windows firewall as your router will have a firewall that may conflict with your Windows one, so you could try disabling it (Windows firewall that is).

 

[ukthesis]

On the page "If it's cookies you're concerned about, you can always delete them from time to time." I looked and the Browsing history also deletes "saved passwords." I don't want to delete my saved passwords. What do I do?

 

[seavixen32]

When you press Delete for the first time the Delete Browsing History window will appear.



Just make sure the checkbox for your passwords is unchecked, press Delete again and your passwords will be untouched.

 

[ukthesis]

So disc cleanup also removes cookies? I run that regularly without problems.

 

[richc46]

I woiuld download and use Ccleaner, it is the best for your purposes. Again, the cookies will not slow down the computer.

 

[ukthesis]

Ccleaner - will it conflict with any of my other programs?

 

[richc46]

No, and this is firsthand experience. Just download and you can leave the default settings or change to your preference. Dont tick any registry settings and you will be very happy with the results. You will be amazed how much stuff it finds.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ccleaner - will it conflict with any of my other programs?

No, but you are best advised to not use the Registry Cleaner portion of the program.

 

[richc46]

Dont be concerned by this double warning on the registry, it is very, very easy to see how to avoid using the registry portion. In fact to use it you specifically have to go to that section. Just download and you will see.

 

[ukthesis]

This came up. Okay to proceed?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yes, assuming you accepted default settings.