Buy a Mac
DO NOT UPGRADE TO WIN 8.1!!!!!!!!
ccleaner
Install Linux Mint 17
Download CCleaner free for clearing up your cache effectively (or download the paid bootleg version via torrent). I love mah Windows 7.
I used malwarebytes on my daughters laptop. Buy plenty of ram and you don’t have to do it so often. Facebook and all these other sites kids use trash them out. Browsers and bloated inboxes eat the most.
I also use Spybot Search and destroy to clean up spyware and stuff.
And I have been using CCleaner free for a couple of years with nary a problem. It cleans up the excess cookies, temp files, etc. Just make sure you make an exception for any cookies for sites that you visit regularly with built in passwords—such as FR or Amazon, so you don’t have to reenter all those passwords. I use it about once a week to clean out unneeded files.
If it were mine I would flatten it and start fresh. If it originally come with Win-7 it probably has a recovery partition. If you go in the web to the manufacturer you can find out how to do a factory restore.
Good luck.
If you download and install AVG antivirus free version, you can get a fully functional trial of its PC Performance software for a month, I believe, that will find and fix a host of issues and registry problems. It is as good or better than many commercial products like Registry Repair Wizard.
When it is done, you just remove it, though the antivirus software is still good if you like AVG.
On an older system, I wouldn’t be surprised if it found more than a thousand mostly minor problems. But that stuff adds up.
I have found ZERO third party programs that actually help with sluggish windows machines. There are dozens that say they will “clean” the registry, remove unwanted services, etc.
Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on your outlook) the best method is a clean install. ESPECIALLY if the Windows was preinstalled on the laptop.
When I need to clean up a windows machine it has always been quicker for me to wipe out the entire hard drive and start from scratch.
Of course make sure to take the proper steps to back up your files. AND!!! Do not forget to check in liecnses for the software. For example. I have installations of NX (engineering software) and if I don’t check in my license it is a pain in the butt to get the license reset for a new installation.
Good luck.
Bfl
I mostly use Auslogics Boostspeed (paid version) to do cache cleanups, disk defragmenting, etc.
Belarc Advisor (free) is useful to actually see what you have to work with in terms of hardware, memory, drivers, etc.
Acronis (paid version) is good for disk utilities such as backups, duplicate file cleanups, and cloning.
There are a number of antivirus and anti malware products that work well. I would use what you already are familiar with and trust.
CCleaner
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Glary Utilities
http://www.glarysoft.com/
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
The above have ‘free’ version for home use.
I am having basically the same problem with a laptop which has Vista installed.
My B-I-L gave it to me and it is a really nice one too. He said he thinks it has a virus. Well it seems to have a really bad one. I asked him if he had the original install disc and he said he would look. He couldn’t find one and said he thinks it didn’t have one.
I am probably going to have to take it to a repair place unless I can figure out how to wipe it clean myself.
Any ideas?
Use Linux.
formattseacolun
Bump
Speaking as a “computer” guy... Best thing you can do is download all the latest drivers, re-install Windows 7 fresh, apply updates, and then apply remaining drivers. That is the BEST way to cleanup a used pc.
The other option as some mentioned is buy a Mac. That’s what PC techs buy when they don’t feel like bringing their work home with them.
SpeedyPC