S/w for a new pc to keep it running quick & smooth

lr1277

Hi

I have just bought a new Dell and am awaiting delivery. What software should I install to keep it running quick and smooth.

It will be installed with Windows 7 Pro.
It comes with Mcafee A/V but am going to remove this and install Kaspersky Internet Security on the suggestion of my IT department.
I will also have some kind of online backup.

What other software should I be running to keep it running quickly and smoothly?

Many thanks in advance.

Browntoa

least is best, you are installing a antivirus/firewall package

perhaps malwarebytes for a once in a while scan

ccleaner to tidy up temp files

nothing that runs all the time as it will just eat up processor

Altahost

Hi there. I almost agree with Browntoa. Less is very dinitely better. The reason is Windows in now handling securities, file allocations and maintenance much better than it used to.

Your new dell is likely to have a variant of Windows 7 installed.

For once in their lives, MS did actually hear what people were saying to them and I have to say Win 7 is very good.

Securities include relative Network Address Transfer negociated by most standard routers these days which tends to limit the need for a fire wall. Furthermore, windows security and your router will have firewalls built in. Now, if you were working for the secret service I would agree that a firewall may help but considering Windows provides most firewall developers with the patches it needs to ensure OS's stay unhacked in effect firewall updates are courtesy of MS.

Dont bother about a firewall.

Whilst CCleaner did have a reputation for temp file control and various other cache handlers it is now really redundant because Win 7 has robust utilities running all time that maintain general OS handling. Also Win7 is far more configurable than older OS's.

The one thing that doesnt really change in windows OS's is the registry.
Standard use of a computer will change the registry daily. As the days go by more registry is built and over months many of these reg entries become redundant. These can and will slow windows down.

A decent registry cleaner is a good thing. Beware of free ones, most are terrible but a few are absolutely excellent. Also be sure that reg backup is available in the software. I use Tweak Now Power Pack Pro. Its not free but it is cheap and it is very much supported.

the spyware suggestion is essential. Search and Destroy which is also free and well supported is another option.

Antivirus should be installed but try find one with low front end usage. There are several free ones the most popular being AVG by Grisoft. Still a matter of choice though. Do some Googling til you find one that suits your needs best.

Remember, try not to run two different programs to do the same job. ie one antivirus software and one anti spyware software.

Enjoy your new PC and remember, most computer problems are caused by the lose nut on the keyboard!

JasX

lr1277 wrote: »

Hi



What other software should I be running to keep it running quickly and smoothly?

As little as possible

spud17

There are several free ones the most popular being AVG by Grisoft.

Yes, but not the best, I see you're newly registered, so I'll let you off, , most on here will fight between Avira (mine) Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials.

Remember, try not to run two different programs to do the same job. ie one antivirus software and one anti spyware software.

Also whilst you should only have one antivirus, it's recommended to have more than one spyware/malware detector, due to the differing methods that the infections use.

What other software should I be running to keep it running quickly and smoothly?

I agree with JasX, avoid all that phone software,it's always dialling home, just a personnal hate, along with printer software that has to check for updates every 5 minutes.

Altahost

Who recommends running two Spyware Products on one machine??
I have been certified in the trade for over 20 years and I have never heard that one before. And the reason doesnt make any sense either.
The reason two Anti virus softwares shouldnt be installed is because one can and normally does contradict the other. So lets see two Spyware protections doing the same especially when both will have near similar definitions what ever there method of detection or protection is.

It is exactly the same scenario

Marty_J

Altahost wrote: »

Antivirus should be installed but try find one with low front end usage. There are several free ones the most popular being AVG by Grisoft. Still a matter of choice though. Do some Googling til you find one that suits your needs best.

Grisoft is no longer called Grisoft anymore, they're called AVG Technologies.

Nit-picking aside, I'd go with either of spud17's suggestions (I use MSE myself).

Also, make sure you update your OS regularly with the latest security updates and patches. Many problems with computers could be prevented if people would update their OS regularly.

Altahost wrote: »

Who recommends running two Spyware Products on one machine??
I have been certified in the trade for over 20 years and I have never heard that one before. And the reason doesnt make any sense either.
The reason two Anti virus softwares shouldnt be installed is because one can and normally does contradict the other. So lets see two Spyware protections doing the same especially when both will have near similar definitions what ever there method of detection or protection is.

It is exactly the same scenario

Your objection assumes that the anti-malware products feature real time protection. If they don't, there's no problem running more than one (as they will never be running at the same time), and it's often preferred as what one might miss, the other will pickup.

Also, some have features the others lack. Spybot's immunise feature is very useful for instance, but I would rather trust Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware when it comes to on-demand scanning.

Altahost

Agree with RTP but as you know most users install under standardised installion processes given to them by the software installer. Hense many conflicts.

My choice of AVG was a "suggestion" was simply that...a suggestion.

Keep it simple I say. When something fails as they All do then other software can be employed to assist.

debitcardmayhem

I would recommend SpywareBlaster as an additional option too it is very light on its loafers, it basically stops access via the browser to a lot of nasty sites, the free edition does not automatically update but I usually do a manual update weekly. It certainly does not interfere with other spyware products, and if you use SD as a secondary too then just remember to turn off Teatimer (the real time scanner) and just use it for a periodical scan.

busenbust

I have been certified in the trade for over 20 years and I have never heard that one before.

^:rotfl: :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Kaspersky is a good choice as it's generally regarded as the joint best paid for anti virus program alongside Eset NOD32. If you don't want to spend money then AV-Comparatives give their highest award level Advanced+ to the recommendations you'll often find here; Avast, Avira & Microsoft Security Essentials. Personally, I use both Kaspersky (until the end of my subscription at least) and MSE.

I would strongly recommend that you ensure that your Windows Update settings are set to install new updates automatically. Ensuring you're keeping fully up to date should be one of your highest priorities.

Apart from that, I wouldn't recommend programs that claim to clean the registry. It's a complicated aspect of Windows that you shouldn't be meddling with unless you have a very good reason too.

Third party software based firewalls are more trouble than their worth, you're adequately protected with the Windows Firewall and then employing the firewall built into your Router.

Apart from that, common sense prevails..