Pc-maintenance-handbook

PC Maintenance Handbook
Make Your PC Run Like new & Keep it That Way

Rich Robinson — Microsoft MVP — http://mintywhite.com
PC Maintenance Handbook — Windows Guides — http://mintywhite.com 1

© 2009 Windows Guides | mintywhite.com. All rights reserved. PC Maintenance Handbook If this guide is distributed it is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with theterms of such license. Except as permitted by any such license, no part of this guide may be reproduced. This guide may be stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise. Please note that the content in this guide is protected under copyright law. Mintywhite will not be responsible for damages to your computer, software, ordata resulting from use of information contained in this document. The content of this guide is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Windows Guides. Windows Guides nor Microsoft Corp assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in the informational content contained in thisguide nor for any damages resulting from use of the information contained herein. Please remember that existing artwork or images that you may want to include in your project may be protected under copyright law. The unauthorized incorporation of such material into your new work could be a violation of the rights of the copyright owner. Please be sure to obtain any permission required from thecopyright owner. mintywhite, Windows Guides, and the Windows Guides logo are trademarks of mintywhite.com Microsoft, Windows and Office are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contents
Introduction...................................................................................... 2 Notational Conventions................................................................. 2 Maintenance 101 ........................................................................... 2

Find and Remove Malware ................................................................. 4 AVG Internet Security .................................................................... 4 What Do I Get If I Use the Coupon?............................................. 4

Maintaining Your PC ......................................................................... 3

Uninstall Unnecessary Programs ....................................................... 9

ESET Smart Security ....................................................................... 5 Three Ways to Remove Programs ................................................... 9 Use Windows’Add/Remove Programs ........................................ 9 Use the PC Decrapifier ............................................................... 9

About the Author
Rich Robinson is the author and creator of Windows Guides, Windows Forums, and MyWindowsPC. Rich is a Microsoft MVP in the Desktop Experience category and authored Windows 7 –The Pocket Guide, Windows Vista – The Pocket Guide, andWindows Vista – Customization Manual. His hobbies include spending time with family, web design, programming, running, soccer, skiing, and swimming. See more books Rich authored.

Use Revo Uninstaller ................................................................ 10 Uninstalling Programs with Revo .............................................. 11

Delete Junk/Temporary Files & Optimize YourSystem .................... 12 Advanced SystemCare Screenshots .............................................. 13 Advanced SystemCare Features ................................................... 13

Defragment Your Hard Drive ........................................................... 14 Use Smart Defrag ........................................................................ 15 Use Windows’...