I'm going to clean up this article... I'll remove all Windows XP (and Vista) related stuff... For prosterity I'll post a duplicate of my current setup below. Also, I'll remove some programs for which support has stopped (Soluto!) :-(
Here it goes... Archived copy!
(pinned draft v0.85a, Oct. '016)
I always install the same programs for my friends, but once in a while I forget one or two temporarily or even forever ;p
Planning to do this for a long time, I decided to add a (long) list with (free) software I like and a short description when needed. Might take me a few months ; )
Here it goes...
==================== MUST HAVEs ====================
1. Windows XP/Vista/7: change windows update to microsoft update. Win XP/Vista/7/8/10: install all essential and optional updates. Ignore and hide Microsoft Security Essentials if it's offered. Decide about Live tools if they are offered. Hide update Windows Search 4 in Windows XP.
2. Internet browser.
A) There never was any discussion, even from the earliest builds I'd make Google Chrome the default internet browser.
Sadly, Google is on drugs and looking for a utopian internet. Which means they are disabling pretty much every technology you need on a website. Link that with the amount of people complaining about Chrome's RAM usage, it becomes clear to me... I need something new here! Which is very very sad, because the MAIN reason for me to use Chrome always was it's sandbox principles... No other browser is as secure as Chrome.
B) So what to do next? I'm currently testing this setup: Firefox (sigh) with Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Free. You might join my tests yourself... malwarebytes.com/antiexploit/ For now: you are on your own and I still advise Chrome ;-)
3. Wise registry cleaner (
http://www.wisecleaner.com/download.html)
4. Defrag
* XP/Vista? Puran Defrag (
http://www.puransoftware.com/Puran-Defrag-Download.html)
Schedule Automatic Defragmentation to run daily, on first boot a boot-time defrag. Also schedule a monthly defrag. Items to defrag? Boot-time: Optimize Directories ++ Free Space. Monthly? Fast PIOZR ++ Free space ++ Optimize Directories. In tab Additional Opearations I also include Fill Gaps, besides directories ++ free space ++ PIOZR. This is for manually defragmentation.
* Win 7/8.x? Schedule Microsoft Defrag to run daily.
* Win 10? I trust Windows 10 knows best. Leave settings alone.
5.
https://www.soluto.com/boot-time or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/soluto.html.
Manage your boot process. Schedule which programs to run, deny or delay at windows startup. Manage your system boot times and get email notification for system maintenance or notifications about programs that slow your computer down, or programs that need your attention in other ways... All-round nerd on standby with advises. What's not to like? : ) Best-ever way to update known programs like winrar: one click (to start updating) and you are set.
A pointer... Don't go overboard with delaying programs. It's a dangerous habit, delaying. Among others, it removes admin rights of the process (giving your new Windows the most annoying ever feature of Vista: manually giving the OK for some programs that want to autostart). Combine with AnVir TaskManager for superior control of your startup entries.
6. Antivirus
* Avast Home antivirus (
http://www.avast.com/) with browser cleanup and warnings to manually update often abused programs that urgently need updating by you manually. ^^^^
* UPDATE: if you don't like all the Avast pop-ups, take a look at 360 Total Security. Enable all shields, I really started to like this program. Don't forget the patch-up tool! Install all those important updates Microsoft Update doesn't show...
http://www.360totalsecurity.com/ Version 7 added a firewall tool and a browser protection tool (limited functionality). All in all, it has become my default anti-virus, despite the annoying "possible virus found" dialogues... Avast was superieur in preventing false positives. On the other side, I have 360 enabled with all engines, not just the default one. I feel safe and less annoyed by interruptions
7. 7-zip. Also see Point 2.4!
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html8. Cleanup! by Steven Gould (
and not that crap CCleaner!! If only for it does NOT clean ALL user accounts. Cleanup! can, if you set the right options). Set option to scan all users.
http://stevengould.org/downloads/cleanup/CleanUp452.exe. Use my CHecKDiSK scripts and Task Manager to autorun and clean whenever a user logs on. It slows your start down and it also wears your harddrive down; in return you get a clean system and most importantly: you might remove malware that just started to infect your machine and did not get time yet to start themselves...
Advanced tip: in the last tab, enable Temporary Files but remove the "*.chk"-line... You don't want to delete recovered files ; )
9. CHecKDiSK scripts, also by Devnullius:
https://app.box.com/s/j49i8mrh1io1iz7k9lrozi7878h4qqh8 . Extract to folder and put CHecKDiSK folder in the root of your system drive (usually C:). Make sure to read °°°°°°°° RUN ONCE °°°°°°°°°°.txt file! ^^^^^^
* Vista/7/8 users can import^ the tasks from c:\CheCKDiSK\Windows\System32\Tasks-folder and only need to adjust windows user name (and maybe adjust frequency of scheduled disk checks).
* XP users have to copy^ all tasks to the task scheduler screen and adjust all tasks as follows:
- User's Opruimen met Cleanup! by CC.job: run at user logon (Cleanup!.bat)
- User's system maintenance sfc by CC.job: run every 3 weeks ^^ (go-sfc.bat)
- Wise Registry Cleaner Schedule Task.job: run when idle for 40 minutes (create task first with Wise program - then tweak to only run when computer is idle)
- User's check disk by CC.job: run every 13 days (chkdsk-c-vista-7-ENG.bat)
- User's chkdsk FULL by CC.job: run monthly and select June & December (chkdsk-c-FULL-for-Bad-Clusters-vista-7-ENG.bat)
- User's compress by CC.job: run every 17 days (Compress.bat)
- User's compress C; and D;.job, can be removed if you do NOT have a D:-partition that can safely be compressed (Compress_C-D.bat).
ALSO all Tasks need te be ran ONLY when user is logged on (password changes!).
Also see
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8077.msg20485.html#msg20485 for more background discussions about my compress.bat script...
- CHecKDiSK-folder contains more .bat-scripts, tailored for specific needs and drives...
10. Acronis Drive Monitor:
http://www.acronis.com/en-us/homecomputing/download/drive-monitor/ (mirror:
https://app.box.com/s/g12ohu8bj17n8l3i2aqm) .
Be careful when installing: comes with many crapware options... And DO READ my article here:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,7955.msg19883.html#msg19883 and even here:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8087.msg20515.html#msg20515 .
11.
http://www.handystartmenu.com . Windows 8.x users should read this first:
http://scforum.info/index.php?topic=7941.0. Windows 10 users are, for now, not able to run HSM :/
12. While Soluto is great to manage your good programs and their startup process, you also need a startup guard.
Popular choice is WinPatrol. I have a family lifetime license, and do not like it. It's old-fashioned and at moments annoyingly dumb
My personal preference by far is for AnVir Task Manager. FIRST A WARNING: while an excellent tool, it comes with 'helper' software which you cannot disable with the setup. I know: doesn't sound good, still I do this for every computer I install. The program really is the best to manage startup items on your PC. Despite this nasty install behaviour and often 'crashing' GUI (if you give it time, it will always start responding, but it might take some time).
With 360 antivirus installed, you can safely install: the trojan will be intercepted without interrupting the installation. I have not tested Avast with this, though if avast lets it true, there is no real danger. With iobit uninstaller you can easily remove the 'trojan' once more...
Set options to only show HDD icon (WITH temperature notification). Other settings can be left alone. Only use it as a startup guard (also guards your browser's homepage). See:
http://www.anvir.com/task-manager-windows-startup.htm . Also set a Google Alert, this program often is given away in a (more) pro(-ish) version for free. Think giveawayoftheday.com.
Not all is paradise though! A big disadvantage is that the custom user interface mostly seems to crash and non-responding. Wait a little, it will start reacting again. Learn to live with it ;p It is definitely a program to get - hdd temperature monitoring ++ startup manager. For CPU throttling, there are better (non-free) programs. For now, leave CPU managed by Windows.
13.
Ad Muncher. It's the *only* ad blocker that meets my high standards! And it became 100% free! Download:
http://staging.admuncher.com/beta.shtml or mirrors here
http://www.download3k.com/Install-Ad-Muncher.html .
14.
==================== REALLY SMART TO INSTALL TOO ====================
1. BrowserProtect.org went offline :/
2. SystemProtect (
http://www.pcrx.com/system_protect/).
Should be a "MUST HAVE", but... ^^^
3. IObit Uninstaller (
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/iobit_uninstaller.html)
4. 7zip works for most. But... To top it all of and be prepared for ANYTHING... Do this: download & install WinRar. XP/Vista/7 do the same for PowerISO.
(downloads:
http://www.win-rar.com/download.html and
http://www.poweriso.com/download.htm)
FILE ASSOCIATIONS! XP users? First install 7zip, associate ALL file types. Vista/7 users should associate 7zip with all BUT *.zip files. Windows 8 should associate 7zip with all BUT *.zip and *.iso. THEN associate WinRar with NOTHING, except for *.rar files. XP/Vista/7: associate PowerIso with everything it can handle. Then associate your default media player again for all supported file types... PowerIso might have hijacked some... ;p
5. Burning CD/DVD on Windows is a pita. Especially with many burners, it can take hours to create a dvd, if succeeding at all. The solution is free and simple:
https://cdburnerxp.se/. Even has some ISO conversion tools. Enjoy!
6.
==================== IF YOU LIKE THE DETAILS ====================
1.
http://www.fcleaner.com/recyclebinex Schedule it to empty your recyclebin automatically every 30 days (or as often as you like).
2. Latest Daum Pot Player English (
http://download.cnet.com/Daum-Potplayer/3000-13632_4-75587055.html). Be careful when installing: comes with many crapware options... The program also handles DVD, but is not a specialized dvd player. See point 7, below, for that!
3. For torrents: still utorrent, but only use utorrent 2.2.1. I explained more here:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,11042.msg30268.html#msg30268. Short reason: after it got bought by BitTorrent Inc., stuff went downhill. Today I posted about my problems and all I got was a forum ban. Not professional at all. They really don't like you talking about version 2.2.1 - and there's a reason for that! DOWNLOAD here:
https://app.box.com/s/if7kk4qjkxz3n1jm03nsjj5xkxiqe9biTo search for torrents, I nowadays just use Google with time limited search (use the cache function if torrents are blocked by your ISP). Newbies can also use Bit Che (
http://convivea.com/product.php?id=2) to search many torrent sites at once.
4. John's Background Switcher (
http://downloads.johnsadventures.com/SwitcherSetup48.exe). You can import my personal favorite settings from \CHeCKDiSK-folder (also see Item 1.9).
5. PDF...
http://www.stdutility.com/download.html . Lean mean reading machine
Need more?
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8595.0.html6. (REMOVED - actually causes more problems than it solves; only start manual and you should be fine...)
Save desktop icon layout:
http://www.softwareok.com/?Download=DesktopOK . If program starts in German... "Sprache" means "Language Settings"
Also see:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8110.msg20575.html7. DVD Player...I think I finally solved this one! Wondershare Free Video Player. ^^^^^^^^
8. User auto-logon? Use command 'netplwiz':
Win XP
http://unlockforus.blogspot.nl/2009/05/skip-welcome-screen-in-windows-7vistaxp.html (also gives registry settings to do this),
Win Vista
http://unlockforus.blogspot.nl/2007/10/unlockthis-quickinfo-login.html ,
Win 7
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/auto-logon-windows-7.htm ,
Win 8
http://geekitdown.com/how-to-login-automatically-windows-8/ ,
Win 10
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-automatically-login-in-windows-10/ .
TIP: If you want to remove password expiration do the following:
Click on Start's Search button.
Type: wmic
Right click found program wmic and “Run as Administrator”
Now paste this commmand:
UserAccount where PasswordExpires=TRUE set PasswordExpires=FALSE
Confirm change for each account with password expiration.
9. Power options! Go to control panel and manually set the details to your liking. BUT make sure that Start Menu Shut Down does NOT go to sleep, but actually will power down your pc / laptop. Same goes for closing the lid!! On laptops, leaving sleep or hibernate on is dangerous - the laptop still produces heat. When in a closed off environment, your laptop might overhead (hard drive damage or more!).
The main reason for forcing an actual shut down when you're done with your computer instead of sleep mode, is that updates will be installed this way. A computer (laptop) always going to sleep mode (especially XP) will often not install or update Windows. And that's bad ;p
10. Although Wise Registry Cleaner already has a quick tune up function to speed the general usage of Windows up, one can finetune even more... With Windows SMART Services (XP/Vista/7)! Download the tool here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/SMART-Utility.shtml . You can extract this standalone utility to a folder. Run the program as administrator and chose Moderate for a Newbie friend (and for yourself of course Advanced Tweaks). On Vista, make sure to right-click and start the program as an administrator, or else you will get flooded with little error screens. Use Task Manager to kill the main process when that happens...
You can read in great detail all that is happening, here:
http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/ (And Windows 8.x users can use that URL to manually tweak their system.)
Another great tool for a quick 1-look overview and to quickly manage non-Microsoft services is Advanced Service Manager, here:
http://securityxploded.com/winservicemanager.php .
11. OFFICE Alternatives
For Microsoft Office Viewers in all languages, go here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979860 .
For actual Microsoft Office alternatives, which allow you to EDIT documents...? From
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8399.msg21457.html#msg21457 , I chose SoftMaker FreeOffice (
http://www.freeoffice.com/freeofficewindows.exe). One catch: I've seen systems where file association during setup wasn't remembered. You can start every program and re-associate from the menu options. That works.
In general, I first install FreeOffice and associate it with all except .RTF. Then I install the office viewers (prepare for massive updates!) and set them as default for each of their own. I hardly ever edit documents, so in case I need to edit I will right-click and chose FreeOffice (or you can use one of the system tray icons to quickly open the editor you need...)
12. OFFICE and Gmail: tvhgooglemapi
If you want to use the "email" button in Microsoft Office but only use gmail and don't like Outlook, you must take a look at this:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,11012.msg30196.html#msg30196. Gives download page:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5rR8r10bVzvQklLN0cxMEFFWXM&usp=sharing#list .
13. Very rarely one needs to (re-)create an iso image. PowerISO free evaluation is fine for almost everything, except writing / creating iso images. Then, you will encounter limitation in size etc. Solution for those instances is
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8671.msg22546.html#msg22546 (Jihosoft ISO Maker Free).
14. Screensavers!
* Electric Sheep, a genetic algorithm based screensaver with abstracts (upvote image with arrow up, downvote with arrow down). Don't forget to download the Sheep-pack for extra nice images!
http://community.electricsheep.org/node/247 . Create a free account, sign in. Set V-Sync to enabled. Set FPS for playback to "3". Gives nicest results, I feel
* The best OpenGL screensavers from
http://www.reallyslick.com/screensavers/. One of them, Helios, really stands out I feel. I like it with these values: Ions=32. Animation speed=8. Ion size=100. Camera speed=1. Emitters2. Blur=24. Attractors=5. Limit=0. Feel free to tune a bit to your likings though
15. Image editing: 2 programs that complement each other very well to cover all basic tasks one might wish for...
* Paint.NET:
http://www.dotpdn.com/downloads/pdn.html* Photo! Editor:
http://pho.to/editor/16. DAMN NFO Viewer: if you download warez, you will like this .nfo viewer
http://nl.afterdawn.com/downloads/desktop/mix_desktop_tools/damn_nfo_viewer.cfm17. Nature background sounds
http://www.umopit.ru/AuraEng.htm - hidden gem: constant relaxation
Add extra sound folder in the options by downloading the optional user nature sound packs (or download them from my mirror link all in 1 convenient package
http://1drv.ms/1M4LqSn).
18. Help Windows removing a USB drive...
http://quickandeasysoftware.net/software/usb-disk-ejector19. STREMIO with Torrent plugin enabled, combined with Popcorn 5.4
Depending on local laws, you will need a VPN to protect your IP address when using torrent streaming (the only thing I assume you will be really using). I definitely advise TigerVPN's lifetime subscription.
WHEN you are safe from the Law, you will find these awesome internet multimediaplayers to find, track & play all kinds of tv series or movies.
http://strem.io and
http://popcorn-time.se/. Strem.io has the most potential (but has some some problems), Popcorn Time is the smoothest experience but is more basic.
20.
==================== Manual Intervention ====================
1. ADWCleaner: clean up "helper" programs.
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8558.msg22099.html#msg220992. Junkware removal tool
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/junkware-removal-tool/3. This baby has grown in to a beautiful warrior
http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html This beauty pretty much does it all... Definitely worth running on a malbehaving computer!
4. If that fails, or if you are looking for even more problems, try this one: AutoClean from
http://autoclean.computersitter.com/downloads (still testing this one, but it too is very complete)
5. Still in trouble? Look here
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-rootkit-scanner-remover.htm#Quick_Selection_Guide<expect more details laters...>
Help me help you!
https://copy.com?r=zOEhNk - Clear 15GB of cloud storage and...
... karma for you
Devvie
~~~ notemail@facebook.com ~~~
Conare nullius momenti videri fortasse missilibus careant
——
All spelling mistakes are my own and may only be distributed under the GNU General Public License! – (© 95-1 by Coredump; 2-014 by DevNullius)
NOTE to FUTURE self:
http://acestream.org/^ also see:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-import-export-backup-restore-tasks-using-task-scheduler-in-windows/^^ XP users, to prevent nagging for CD, please read here:
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html^^^ Dunno why, but on SOME systems it might cause problems with quick tray icons not showing. Install this program seperately by first rebooting, than installing, than rebooting again.
See if anything changes. If ok, keep it running.
I use it as a last resort shield for unknown virii - this way, system file changes should be noticed and need your confirmation before continuing. Does not interfere with microsoft update. Also see:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/System-Protect-Crawler.shtml . This program is often described as malware. It is NOT. I use this software for a decade or so now...
Other problems with this program...? When hard disk has faults, the service will fail to start. Do chkdsk c: /f /v /x /r to test. No luck? Install the program again. No luck? Remove SystemProtect.
Also when you notice REALLY slow loading of chrome pages (and you do not have Avast Web Shield installed), remove SystemProtect too.
^^^^ I've seen many systems where Avast + Chrome == Slow Loading Web Pages. IF you find loading pages to be too slow, re-run Avast setup, chose custom setup and remove Web Shield. All will be better. Also see ^^^?
^^^^^
^^^^^^ First, in elevated command prompt: %SystemRoot%\system32\cleanmgr.exe /sageset:60. THEN change chkdsk time-out value: chkntfs /T:3 (Entering 0 (number zero) will give you the default 10 seconds to cancel chkdsk).^
^^^^^^^ Free Avast Pro Promo? Read this
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,7619.msg21491.html#msg21491 .
^^^^^^^^
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,7570.msg22065.html#msg22065 (still researching!)
--
note to future-self:
http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8297.msg21105.html#msg21105
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Topic: Devnullius's Choices: a list of default programs to keep your PC running well :) (Read 135659 times)
