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I am currently running Windows 7 x64. I frequently install, uninstall, modify, break, or otherwise alter various programs on my computer (experimentation is fun!). Anyways, over the past six months (how long this version has been installed) I have noticed an obvious decline in my computer's performance. I have been expecting this, so over the past months I have regularly 'cleaned' my computer - removing programs, defragging, CCleaner, and virus scans. I know that it isn't possible to reverse every action that installing or deleting a program causes, but I have a feeling that I can reverse more of these effects and speed up my computer. Lastly, on top of cleaning, I have also disabled all of my startup processes besides the vital ones that I need to run my computer.
So, I guess in conclusion, are there any more steps that I could take my clean my computer more effectively in the computer? I know there are different versions of programs such as CCleaner, and there are uninstallers besides the Windows one, but I don't know if those actually make much of a difference. Would anyone have any recommendations on how to better clean my computer in the future from random junk, settings, etc. That I no longer use or never do?
1most simply, don't install crap ;p. If you need to test, VMs or various forms of application virtualisation works well – Journeyman Geek – 2012-05-22T00:41:22.513
@JourneymanGeek That would be helpful if my processor supported 64bit hardware virtualization.. or is it software.. I can't remember =p – cutrightjm – 2012-05-22T01:42:40.557
application virtualisation dosen't need either - svw/svs worked perfectly for this, but its hard to find, and i've been using vmware's thinapp for some things as well. I've also toyed with having a seperate OS partition for testing, using copies of windows i get from MSDNAA ;p – Journeyman Geek – 2012-05-22T01:44:49.757