Solved What can I do to keep my system in top shape?

[MisterL]

The Packard Bell laptop I had previously is beyond repair now so I added its RAM to the laptop I'm borrowing. Then I'll use its hard drive as an external to backup all my data. It had loads of software problems and I don't wanna relive that nightmare. What are some things I can do to ensure my laptop is as healthy as possible?

I'm already planning on defragmenting often, and using the [sfc/scannow] once every 2 days. What other commands and system tools/features can I make use of, and what antivirus should I change to?

 

[RolandJS]

Defragmentation too often might very well shorten HDDs life. Maybe only twice monthly. Avoid drive-thrashing.
As far as anti-virus, I was reading a thread that indicated to avoid AVG, Avast, because of their telemetry. I add Avira to that list. I have not found any truely free AV or AM, only trial versions. ClamWin and ClanWin Sentinel are free, however, they work slow in some ways and can cause some background "squabbles" with other utilities.

 

[file3456]

Don't install tons of crap programs and what not.

Don't defrag a SSD. Win 7 lets you, I don't think Win 10 does.

Don't overly Defrag. Only when needed and that should be very rare.

 

[MisterL]

So basically I should try Avira and avoid:
* AVG and Avast
* installing unnecessary programs
* drive-thrashing
* and defragmenting too often

Thank you guys so much

 

[RolandJS]

Keep an eye on Avira during custom or advanced install, and afterwards. Long ago, something "[forgotname]search" was going to become default, so I uninstalled Avira. Your experience may differ.

 

[SIW2]

Where did the Avira idea suddenly come from? Many people here use use MSE

 

[RolandJS]

Where did the Avira idea suddenly come from? Many people here use use MSE

From my post above: "...As far as anti-virus, I was reading a thread that indicated to avoid AVG, Avast, because of their telemetry. I add Avira to that list. I have not found any truely free AV or AM, only trial versions..."
I added Avira to the avoid-these list. I have both W7 MSE and W7 WD as on-demand scanners.

 

[Sunnysky]

Make your system as lean as possible on startups, scheduled tasks, no heavy AV suites, or just use basic Malwarebytes and occasional adwcleaner.exe


Use procexp to see whats running that you dont need to startup. possibly use msconfig or better tools like autoruns.exe
get StartupMonitor.exe (ancient , from programmer named Lim, but leanest safe protection for undoing startups that execute on next boot. (you decide) I've used since XP


ccleaner has configurable tools for removing old temp files and registry clean. doesn't need to updated every time or done often.


For default applications on extensions I used Winpatrol.exe for 10 yrs which warns you when apps steal control over launch extensions or new startups are registered. It is now defunct but still works if you can find it.


When your task Mgr runs at 99% idle, you know it is lean.

 

[RolandJS]

For years, since Windows 95/98 at least if not earlier, have been using all three of BillP Studio/Ruiware utilities, WinPatrol, WinPrivacy[Firewall], WinAntiRansom. I guess they are still working! I also kept the EXE installs all these years.

 

[Sunnysky]

For years, since Windows 95/98 at least if not earlier, have been using all three of BillP Studio/Ruiware utilities, WinPatrol, WinPrivacy[Firewall], WinAntiRansom. I guess they are still working! I also kept the EXE installs all these years.

I'm running Winpatrol now ... 8) because I test out a lot of software that changes default extension apps.
I hated Win8's extension hidden bias to MS apps so forcing associations had to be done twice or in another special way. WinPatrol was one those rare programs I paid for with its ability to kill multiple selected running processes in one click, back in the day when Trojans spawned rapidly with redundant processes. Now applications and browsers span redundant processes to be as robust as Trojans once were.

 

[RolandJS]

You know, I think I have the pay-for versions also. Forgot who and when I paid!

 

[RolandJS]

SIW2's advice to MisterL concerning usage of MSE and WD is spot on! Rarely do those two programs ever cause problems to the OS or anywhere else in computers, rather, they help keep things neat and trim.