new pc - things to do list

ih8stress

Sorry in advance if similar threads elsewhere.:)

Got my nice shiny new 1week old Dell desktop. :j
I've made system recovery back-up discs.
I've removed McAfee and installed Avast in its place.

I intend to download the following:
malwarebytes
superanitispyware
ccleaner
defraggler

When I come to use them, do I have to do this in safe mode or normal mode?

Can someone please remind me how often, and in what order, I need to do these checks.

Do I also have to do Disk Clean-up on my computer, or will the above include this action?

Is there anything else I need to do to keep my computer running smoothly?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

ih8stress wrote: »

I've made system recovery back-up discs.

Good idea.

ih8stress wrote: »

I've removed McAfee

Did you use the mcafee removal tool?

ih8stress wrote: »

When I come to use them, do I have to do this in safe mode or normal mode?

Unless you find a problem I'd say normal mode is fine. I'd also suggest going into the Options menu of SuperAntiSpyware and turning off it loading up at startup, otherwise it'll slow things down unnecessarily

ih8stress wrote: »

Can someone please remind me how often, and in what order, I need to do these checks.

There's no strict schedule. I'd say every quarter should be fine unless you think you may be infected.

ih8stress wrote: »

Do I also have to do Disk Clean-up on my computer, or will the above include this action?

CCleaner will take care of this.

ih8stress wrote: »

Is there anything else I need to do to keep my computer running smoothly?

I'd suggest downloading Firefox and visiting the Windows Update site (you need to use Internet Explorer to visit this site).

closed

run ccleaner at startup, update and scan with malwarebytes every few weeks or when you suspect a problem.

Uninstall all the crap and trials that come with it in control panel.

Don't install too much stuff that runs at startup, that's what slows a system down. Use autoruns, msconfig, hijackthis to keep an eye on what loads at startup

Defragging is automatic and makes little difference, defraggler isn't really necessary.

The combination of avast and malwarebytes and defender (if you have it running), should make superantispyware superfluous, the on demand scanner is a better check imo, and doesn't bloat your system.

http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html

Backup to DVD or and/or external hard disk, always keep 2 or more copies (on different media) of important data, preferably as a disk image

STRAWB

I'm in the same boat i have a 60 free trial of Microsoft office is it safe to uninstall this and use open office?

Sublime_2

I would. I hate all the extra software that comes with new pc's. You could always use the trial, but no point if you're going to install OpenOfiice.

[Deleted User]

STRAWB wrote: »

is it safe

Yes.............

ih8stress

Deleted_User wrote: »

Good idea.

Did you use the mcafee removal tool?

Unless you find a problem I'd say normal mode is fine. I'd also suggest going into the Options menu of SuperAntiSpyware and turning off it loading up at startup, otherwise it'll slow things down unnecessarily

There's no strict schedule. I'd say every quarter should be fine unless you think you may be infected.

CCleaner will take care of this.

I'd suggest downloading Firefox and visiting the Windows Update site (you need to use Internet Explorer to visit this site).

Hi David. Yes I did use the McAfee removal tool (found on this forum of course:)).

I am also thinking of downloading Firefox, just forgot to mention that bit.:D
I already get Windows update alerts in the Action Center on the desktop.

Thank you for your replies, duly noted.

ih8stress

closed wrote: »

run ccleaner at startup,
Do you mean on a daily basis?
update and scan with malwarebytes every few weeks or when you suspect a problem.

Uninstall all the crap and trials that come with it in control panel.
Someone on another thread (poppy10) suggested I use something called PC Decrapifier. Would this do everything I needed? Is it any good?

Don't install too much stuff that runs at startup, that's what slows a system down. Use autoruns, msconfig, hijackthis to keep an eye on what loads at startup
Do I google these to find the links?
Defragging is automatic and makes little difference, defraggler isn't really necessary.

The combination of avast and malwarebytes and defender (if you have it running), should make superantispyware superfluous, the on demand scanner is a better check imo, and doesn't bloat your system.

http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html
Yes, I do have Windows Defender on it

Backup to DVD or and/or external hard disk, always keep 2 or more copies (on different media) of important data, preferably as a disk image

Don't quite understand the 'as a disk image' part

Thank you for your suggestions.

ih8stress

STRAWB wrote: »

I'm in the same boat i have a 60 free trial of Microsoft office is it safe to uninstall this and use open office?

I was also going to look into open office which I believe is free? I also have the 60 day free trial. Is there a removal tool for this or do I just uninstall it?

gonzo127

open office is good and free,

if you want to run some media i would look at a good codec pack or another player instead of WMP

debitcardmayhem

ih8stress wrote: »

I was also going to look into open office which I believe is free? I also have the 60 day free trial. Is there a removal tool for this or do I just uninstall it?

Just uninstall using control panel