Is Clean-My-PC-dot-com worth the bother?

[DinahMoeHum]

Please advise, thanks. I'm looking to clean my PC (desktop) after several years of use because it's getting slow.

Alternate solution (?): should I take to a professional for a little $$ ?

[hobbit709]

1. Rip-off. In fact major rip-off.

Clean-My-PC is the latest incarnation of that outfit. Remember the Finally Fast ads.
There are plenty of good FREE utilities you can download and use.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. Can you list any of these "free utilities"? Thanks.

n/t

[backscatter712]

19. Here's a few that I use:

CCleaner and MalwareBytes are a good place to start.

Ccleaner helps you with some basic maintenance tasks - removing junk files from your system, cleaning your registry, walking you through uninstalling junk software.

MalwareBytes is a pretty solid anti-malware program.

[AgingAmerican]

23. Between these two programs, most of your problems will go bye bye

We use these heavily at work, particularly Malwarebytes. You can get it here.

One other thing I would suggest would be going to start, search programs and files box and typing in msconfig then hit enter. Click the startup tab. Disable everything but your antivirus then restart the computer. This will speed up your bootup AND free up a lot of RAM thus speeding up your computer.

[truedelphi]

24. I use a Windows XP - do you have any rec's as far as spyware malware, anti-virus

Programs?

I have heard that the newest release of Avast absolutely destroys a Windows XP system, so don't wanna go there. I am totally fed up with SpywareDoctor/PC Tools.

Microsoft Essentiels is out because every MS p0roduct I have ever allowed on my machine has constant "reminders", attempts at updates, etc that make my system go buggy.

Do you have any rec's as far as spyware/malware?

[AgingAmerican]

25. Yeah

AVG for antivirus and malwarebytes for spyware/malware.

You can get them both here: http://ninite.com/

[RoccoR5955]

11. Agreed

And I have been supporting PCs professionally for almost 25 years!

[krispos42]

2. I use CCleaner

That's always worked well for me.

[whistler162]

8. Yup.....

Combofix, CCleaner, and Malwarebytes. Three tools in the professionals toolbox, this ones at least.

[lastlib]

3. I second the rip-off motion.

I will recommend AVG's Anti-virus and PC Tune-up for disk repair/cleanup/defrag, as well as registry maintenance and system optimization. Well worth the $$.

[Phillip McCleod]

5. we use advanced system care at work and install it on computers we work on and sell

the free version of course. it does a decent job and covers most of the usual ground.

one thing none of these cleanup programs do is check your 'msconfig' startup settings which can really bog a computer down. every program seems to think it should run on startup and there's always tons of crap in there one can turn off. go to start > search... and type in 'msconfig' and run it as admin. then go through 'startup' tab and disable anything not critical to windows or your system.

btw, what antivirus are you using because norton and mcaffee are the devil and will slow your system way down.

[hobbit709]

6. The older version Advanced Windows Care works better and it has a startup mananger

That's the one I install.

[Phillip McCleod]

14. advanced windows care eh? haven't heard of that one have to check it out..

but similarly we install ver. 5 of adv. system care not the new version. the ads have gotten out of control on 'free' diagnostic software. avast is unusable now.

[DinahMoeHum]

7. I now use Microsoft Security Essentials. . .

. . .if that helps.

And yes, I once used Norton and McAfee once upon a time. And I wasn't happy with either of them.

[Phillip McCleod]

15. i like ms security essentials

my mom uses it and i like how unobtrusive it is compared to other free security programs. my only beef is that like other microsoft diagnostic software it doesn't actually seem to *do* anything. it just makes you feel like something's being done. i don't know that to be fact but i've never once seen any ms diagnostic program actually solve a problem or catch a virus. avast yeah lots of 'em. adv. sys. care definitely.. microsoft? not so much.

the other day i installed 'immunet 3.0' on mom's laptop, based on linux's clamscan antivirus. it runs alongside most of the big antivirus and boosts base malware protection up to a respectable standard without too much interference. i know for a fact clamav works the other day i deleted no less than 49 viruses of an hp mini. needless to say it was a wasted effort.

[metroliner]

9. Nope.avi

Don't bother. Its only temporary, then it gums up your computer even more.

Mailwarebytes, CC Cleaner, etc. Try those.

[dballance]

10. I'm An IT Guy and I Wouldn't Dare Let a Remote Web Site Scan My Machine

You don't have to go to a professional. Try some of the solutions suggested in other posts.

Here is a link to PC Mag and some free malware software. I haven't used any of these as I have a Mac. So use your best judgement.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381531,00.asp

[woo me with science]

12. Superantispyware

is a good addition to CCleaner and Malwarebytes for routine cleaning on demand. It catches a lot of tracking cookies that Malwarebytes does not look for. You should also have an antivirus program running all the time.

I second the use of Combofix when a more serious infection is suspected.

[Sunlei]

13. If your PC is critical to your work your're probably safest buying a new desktop, and owning 2.

Could be a lot of programs running in the background, with an older computer it really slows them down after a while. Couple things you could try to speed it up a bit.

Open your control panel, see the add and remove programs? start removing programs you have downloaded over the years and never use.

Like others have mentioned malwarebytes works really great to remove adware, spyware that bogs down computers. They have also caught some pretty bad attacks before it harmed my computer. They have a great free version on their website, I bought the paid version, no yearly fees and they update constantly.

I use malwarebytes plus Norton antivirus on all my computers.

You could always reformat the computer to it's origional condition if you have all the proper CDs and info from your computers maker. Then you update windows. Check first because some old computers and older windows versions no longer have any support offered.

The reason I said have a second pc is because someday old faithfull could crash and die and it's a sad day when there is no internets plus when you have a second computer you can experiment on the older comp, with upgrades and reformats. good luck with speeding up.

[Sentath]

16. Ars Technica has a very basic article on this.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/yes-that-pc-cleanup-app-you-saw-on-cable-tv-at-3am-is-a-scam/

[backscatter712]

20. Yes, Ars Technica has very good advice here. n/t

[backscatter712]

18. It's a scam! Don't do it.

What cleanmypc & similar programs are is a form of malware called scareware, which throws a whole bunch of freaky errors on your screen, and then tells you that for only $65, you can pay for their software to "fix" your system.

[guardian]

21. Other stuff is better

Like many other posters I recommend and use several free products

* CCleaner
* Malwarebytes
* Spybot
* Ad-Aware

If you can afford $35-$80 get one of the following security suites

* Norton Internet Security (2013)
* McAfee Total Protection
* Kaspersky Internet Security
* Bitdefender Total Security

Personally I use Norton Internet Security which is my main firewall and antivirus protection. Then at least once per week I'll run CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Spybot (run these manually and don't have them running all the time).

[Gore1FL]

22. You can speed up your computer by deleting toolbars

Bing, Google, Ask, AVG, whatever, uninstall it.

These typically get installed as also-ware when people upgrade or install java, adobe stuff like flash, shockwave, etc. and don;t uncheck the boxes.

It's also a good idea to make sure only your anti-virus is running and not so weird free scan crap that gets installed the same way as the tool bar.


Try that before you do anything else.

[DinahMoeHum]

26. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP.

n/t

[Fantastic Anarchist]

27. System Mechanic by IOLO labs.

It will do the trick.

Edit to add more information:

http://www.iolo.com/promo/welcome/sm/?utm_source=linkshare

Everything it does:

NEW - Windows 8 Integration

Designed to work with Windows 8 to maximize performance gains and proactively prevents slowdowns over time.

NEW - Designated Drivers™

Automatically installs critical device driver updates that keep your PC’s components working problem-free.

NEW - SSD Accelerator™

Streamlines, optimizes, and speeds up the latest state-of-the-art solid state drives, so they’re always up-to-speed and ready for action.
Program Accelerator™

Uses an all new patent-pending calibration technology to speed up program performance by intelligently realigning programs with their dependent files.

CRUDD Remover™

Clearly shows you which programs have duplicate functions so that you can make an intelligent choice about which programs you want to keep and which ones you want to remove.
Internet Connection Repair™

Detects bad connections and uses a battery of proprietary technology to repair and reconnect your computer, and ensures that the connection is as clean, fast, and reliable as possible.
Tune-up Definitions™

The latest Tune-up Definitions are packed with even more essential data that continues to improve and update the product's effectiveness in 5 vital areas.
EnergyBooster™

Frees up system memory and CPU resources to give Windows additional horsepower. Uses iolo Labs' Tune-up Definitions and user-defined profiles to identify background programs and services that can be temporarily shut down. Allows users to restart any program that was previously shut-down by EnergyBooster.
Total Registry Revitalizer™

Integrates all of System Mechanic's powerful registry tools into a single all-in-one tool. Functions include registry backup, registry repair and cleaning, registry compact, and registry defragmentation.
PC Health Status Gadget

A Sidebar Gadget for Windows 7 and Vista that provides real-time reports on system health, security, and overall status. Includes a running list of recently performed repairs and optimizations, and offers quick access to commonly used tools, such as Memory Mechanic™ and EnergyBooster™
Incinerator® for Recycle Bin

Incinerator® technology can now be optionally integrated into the Windows Recycle Bin, providing both standard file deletion and a Department of Defense 5220-22M compliant technique for maximum security when deleting files.
System Requirements
System Mechanic runs on 64/32-bit versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista, and XP.

Regular price is $49.95

But you can get it for $14.95 here: http://store.worldstart.com/product/8519