BleepingComputer.com: Clean-ups

I have a question about some of the clean-up programs. I currently run Ccleaner and it seems to do a good job as far as I can tell. Let's put it this way, I haven't messed up anything yet. Is Ccleaner similar to programs like PC Booster and PC Pitstop? There are more of these but I can't find them now.
Is Ccleaner's action considered to be pc optimization like the other programs?
I checked the applications and Firefox is checked. Can you add other browsers or do I need to? I use IE sometimes but I usually use AT&T Yahoo or Firefox.

It's a cleaner, a darned good one tho'!

Since it cleans would it be considered an optimizing tool? Another question, does it clean IE browser only or does it clean all browsers? I use IE, AT&T Yahoo, and Firefox. Please bear with me for the questions. I use Ccleaner but I really don't understand all of it's actions. I run it for cleaning and then I use the "fix" for the registry scan. Thanks.

The primary function of CCleaner is to remove temporary files from your computer, & as stated does a very good job. It also has a registry cleaner (aka "Issues") that is fairly safe to use from time to time. CCleaner is recommended to be run frequently: usually after your'e done for the day, before you run any AV/Anti-Spyware scans (to make them run more efficiently) , as well as when you install/unistall programs on your computer.

Edit: Since I saw your 2nd post after I posted, to answer your question, yes it does clean more than just IE. You will find what it cleans within CCleaner, under Cleaner>Aplications.

I haven't used PC Booster, but it has more functions than CCleaner, & seems to be more of an overall system optimizer including diagnostics/tweaks for the system, desktop, start menu, internet, boot-up/shutdown, etc..

I'm not sure if your'e referring to PC Pitstop's online diagnostics, or their Optimizer program which is similar to PC Booster. The online diagnostics checks your PC for security risks, Windows configuration issues, performance problems, measures disk fragmentation, checks available system resources, analyzes device drivers, benchmarks the CPU, memory, video, disk, and Internet connection, looks for viruses and spyware in running software, and checks for common security problems.

It does not change anything on your system at all. What it does do is present you with results that include the current status/configuration of your system & makes recommendations as to what you can do to make improvements to your computer.

Cleaning is a part of optimizing - but it's not the whole cleaning routine.

It'll clean other browsers if you tell it to (I recall that the latest version is set to clean Firefox by default). Just click on the Applications tab to see what it lists. You can also customize it to clean other locations - but I haven't used that function myself.

I don't like PC Booster or PCPitStop - they take a generic approach that just isn't (IMO) appropriate to the concept of optimizing. Optimizing has to be done (again IMO) with the focus on a particular system and how it operates. While there are some common denominators, there are many differences that could result in less than optimal performance if you use those tools.

That being said, it's harder to properly optimize a system than it is to run one of those tools.

I'd suggest that you leave the other tools in CCleaner alone for now (just use the cleaner). They are a great part of the program - but they are so powerful that one wrong decision there can hose your whole system. BTDT (Been There, Done That! )

In particular, the only registry "fixer" that I recommend is the one at http://safety.live.com/ It was developed by Microsoft, and they're the one's who developed the registry.

Also, don't "fix" your registry very often. It doesn't need a whole lot of routine maintenance - and if asked, I'd recommend no more than once every 6 months or so. Overcleaning the registry has bad effects over time, even with Microsoft tools - so let it alone unless you know that there's a problem with it!

Thanks for the input. I usually run Ccleaner at night when I'm done using the computer. The NIS 2007 and Spy Sweeper are scheduled to run each night. I use the Ad-Aware usually every other night or so. Does that sound OK?

I don't like Norton Internet Security - it decides too many things on it's own without letting you know what it's doing. Recently my wife was unable to view maps in MapQuest due to a change at MapQuest that NIS didn't like. My solution? Rip out NIS and install the last freeware version of Sygate Personal Firewall (not the Norton/Symantec version). http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_...Free_d3356.html

Here's what I use (all free):
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/28415/lng/us/tpl/v5
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_...Free_d3356.html

I prefer reliable apps that will update and scan automatically - so I don't have to remember to do it. But, as long as you remember to do it, those scans are fine. Just be sure to have an antivirus in there also - it's an essential part of the layers of protection on your PC.

NIS 2007 and Spy Sweeper are running all of the time, the scheduled scans are just the "deep full-system scans". They are protecting while I'm on line. They both update automatically also. The Ad-Aware and A-squared run only when I want to run them and I update them before each scan.
usasma...I like your signature.

Nat an engineer by any chance (Ft. Lost in the Woods)? I was a 12B myself and spent a lot of time on Smoke Bomb Hill.

The quote is from a movie with Gene Hackman where a surfer boy is the demolitions specialist and they go back to the 'Nam.

What anti-virus app are you running? The others look OK - even if I am against the Norton (even tho' the Army did give me a free copy of Norton Anti-virus).

My Norton has an anti virus on it. It's a full-time scanner.