Pc Tools -- Dangerous?

[Jan46]

For the average user, is it dangerous to install and use PC - tools (freeware) ?

Or is it me, or Vista, who are to blame?

This question seem legitim, after many crashes and 2 clean reinstall of windows at the shop I purchased my PC less than a year ago.

Here is what I have used:

CCleaner

Advanced System care3

Smart Defrag

Clean disc security

Can any of these program, if used by an unexperienced user, lead to these problems?

(multiple crashes, loss of exe.files, many driver problems)

All was downloaded from filehippo or majorgeeks.

Super anti spyware, Malwarebytes, Spybot, have not indicated serious problem.

Kaspersky antivirus was installed from new.

To keep a pc in good,clean and fast working condition, are these tools neccessary?

Can the experts here, please advice what pc-tools a newbie can use without a chanse to mess up?

Have just got my pc back today - now with windows xp.

[wxpwzrd]

Well, you are going to get the "I hate Vista" people that will blame the weather on Vista. But in short? I have NEVER loaded or run those (or any so-called) system tools on any machine I ever had and I never will. The problems many people have are the source of their applications and the number of applications they have to load on systems. Many times the ones with problems have loaded a ba-zillion applications.

[webfact]

Well, you are going to get the "I hate Vista" people that will blame the weather on Vista. But in short? I have NEVER loaded or run those (or any so-called) system tools on any machine I ever had and I never will. The problems many people have are the source of their applications and the number of applications they have to load on systems. Many times the ones with problems have loaded a ba-zillion applications.

I'll second that without any hesitation. Its true!!!

[Guest Reimar]

Those utilities have to be used with cautions! If you don't know what you're going to do using that tools you should really keeps your hands off them!

But as the other posters wrote, most of the time the "mess" is produced by the users while installing just every programs they get the hands on regardless the will ever use that software or even know what that software can do!

You should really keep in mind that a computer isn't intelligent! A computer is only follow the commands given (by the user) doesn't matter good or bad commands!

Cheers.

[spacefruit]

There is VERY little software that is without cost. "Freeware" usualy has a cost - installs something you dont want, or bugs you in some way.

There is nothing to be gained by installing them, in fact I believe it is detrimental.

There is really nothing wrong with VISTA now. I was a staunch anti, but now I use vista 64 happily.

My own experience is that I do a clean install every few months. All data is backed up externaly, and each re-install means I only put on what I really need.

On a couple of machines I dont even run anti virus.

BTW Vista 64 installs so fast, and with nearly no extra divers needed, I do it more often.

I know. I am a nerd.

[lopburi3]

As said they are dangerous, even for experienced users. More harm is done by removing one required file than in having an extra hundred files that you do not need. Those with much experience may be able to avoid or easily find the problem - the rest of use are tempted to make the system a boat anchor. As much as it look nice to remove all those "unneeded" files it just is not required for the normal user. And that applies just as much to pay versions (in my experience even more so).

Now if I were still using my Commodore 64 I suspect I would take the chance - but today file space is cheap and the system does not need to read every entry to do its job.

[warfie]

I will back what some others have said, in the hands of the average user, most of these tools will do more harm than good.

Defrag is a notable exception.

Just use a little discretion installing software and actually read the dialogues before clicking "OK" twelve times. A lot of junk comes with software you do want, it's installed by default unless you uncheck the option during the install... They're relying on people not taking the time to read.

Maybe we can help

[Daffy D]

Would have to agree that there are a lot of cluttered PC's out there as a result of leftovers from uninstalled programs.

I use Free Revo Uninstaller that has several degrees of uninstalling and gets right down into the registry to find bits of lurking program. I use the most advanced option and even though it gives warnings about "check items listed" I always click yes to uninstall everything. Never had a problem with deleting something important.

My Uninstaller (free if you know where to look) is another uninstaller that I have started to use. This program highlights any recent installs so very easy to use, it also comes with an additional one-click clean up program that found a lot of stuff I didn't know was still on my computer.

I regularly use CCleaner, Advanced System Care and several other cleanup programs. All in default mode and not had any problems with any of them. I would add a registry cleaner to the list of useful utilities. There are several available, could start with the Free M$ "RegClean"

Defraging regularly is also good practice.

[webfact]

Would have to agree that there are a lot of cluttered PC's out there as a result of leftovers from uninstalled programs.

I use Free Revo Uninstaller that has several degrees of uninstalling and gets right down into the registry to find bits of lurking program. I use the most advanced option and even though it gives warnings about "check items listed" I always click yes to uninstall everything. Never had a problem with deleting something important.

My Uninstaller (free if you know where to look) is another uninstaller that I have started to use. This program highlights any recent installs so very easy to use, it also comes with an additional one-click clean up program that found a lot of stuff I didn't know was still on my computer.

I regularly use CCleaner, Advanced System Care and several other cleanup programs. All in default mode and not had any problems with any of them. I would add a registry cleaner to the list of useful utilities. There are several available, could start with the Free M$ "RegClean"

Defraging regularly is also good practice.

I highly recommend to uninstall programs with REVO uninstaller and the daily use of CCleaner! As an addition do not forget to defrag your HDD...

Edited May 10, 2009 by webfact

[tomartoh]

I used PC MAX last year. it was supposed to check computer for various errors. In fact it just a scam to make you buy software to get rid of it. Took me some time and hard work to uninstall and clean it out of computer, and it has not reappeared as yet as it has apparently done on others computers.

Since then i am much more careful now and only download if reccomended

[webfact]

I used PC MAX last year. it was supposed to check computer for various errors. In fact it just a scam to make you buy software to get rid of it. Took me some time and hard work to uninstall and clean it out of computer, and it has not reappeared as yet as it has apparently done on others computers.

Since then i am much more careful now and only download if reccomended

If this is identically with the PC MAX you've installed than read this:

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/pcmaxsoftware.com

if you have FF installed then use this add-on. It will give you a general idea what to expect from a source

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456

Edited May 10, 2009 by webfact

[Camelot]

When I was still using XP I installed CCleaner and it caused far more problems than it solved. It charged through the registry like a bulldozer through tall grass. That could be the source of your problems. It was for me. It's crude and a menace.

[Jan46]

Thank you all, for your opinions and advice. I will listen to the majority here and not downloading pc tools from now.

The cleaning programs I used, shure did remove important files, and was some of the reason for my problems.

Yes, I am not a vista fan, here is some of the reasons:

startup idle:

Vista 85 processes running - Xp 45 processes running.

Vista 1.05 GB memory use - Xp 420 MB memory use.

Vista 40% CPU usage - Xp 2% CPU usage.

and - Vista used more than 30 GB of the harddisk - while Xp only use 9 GB

Edited May 11, 2009 by Jan46

[Katoey]

Hi all,Just to add to the confusion, here my 2 bobs worth.

I detest Windows and switched to Linux Ubuntu some time ago. I now only have a USB Windows XP SP3 hard drive for family games. Yes folks, a complete Windows XP Pro SP3 running on a USB connected hard drive. 

In the bad old days of my regular Windows usage there were some rules that must be obeyed if you wish to have a safe and stable Windows PC. 

Have at least 2 or more hard drive partitions.

Primary partition- C: (Min 20 GB for XP and 30GB for Vista/Win7) OS FILES ONLY

Logical/extended partition- D: (Programs and data files). Never install additional programs on the C: drive.

Always clean install your OS. 

Turn off Windows Automatic Update, Firewall ,Security Centre and System Restore.

Install : (The programs I use are just guides, others may prefer another vendor for the same purpose)

Firewall: XP system – Comodo 2.4.18.184 Vista system – Latest free release from Comodo

Anti-virus: AVG latest free release.

Anti-Spyware: SuperAntiSpyware latest free release.

In today’s Web environment you MUST have Firewall, Anti-virus and Anti-Spyware on your Windows system. Remember to apply the product database updates regularly. If you don’t I guarantee your PC will become a “Zombie” for someone to abuse and steal private data.

CCleaner : Millions of users can’t be wrong. It you aren’t sure, don’t check any of the Advanced options. Always clean your Internet Cache and run it frequently.

RegCleaner: Take your pick of free products. I use RegSeeker 1.55 On first run don’t freak out if you get over 1,000 entries to be deleted. That’s Windows for you.

C: Drive Backup: Lots out there, but I used the latest XXCLONE free version.

There are loads of tips, tweaks and tricks, but the above are vital for a safe and stable Windows OS.

[nikster]

I'd go with the exact opposite from Katoey, and it's always worked for me. The one time I used ccleaner, I almost screwed up my system. I was able to recover but what I know is that despite ccleaner finding an alarming number of things wrong with my registry and thankfully cleaning them, it didn't actually really make anything faster.

So here's what I do:

- Win XP / Vista with no modifications

- Leave the firewall on. The WinXP firewall is perfectly OK and has no known issues and no known exploits. People who are telling you you need another firewall are mistaken.

- NO system tools - more often they will do more harm than good

- NO AV programs - watch your usage, use webmail to screen attachments. AV programs cause trouble, the more they do the more trouble they cause. If you follow standard precautions and disable auto-play you'll never have a virus.

- Maybe use one of the Windows-hardening tools. I used Secure-IT back then. What this tool does is it changes Windows settings such that Windows becomes secure. There are a ton of settings set to "unsafe" by default, I don't know why. Windows can be pretty secure if you turn off a bunch of services you never need, and these tools will do it for you.

- Use TweakUI Windows utilities (free windows download) to disable autoplay for all drive letters. That will protect you from USB stick viruses which are extremely wide-spread at least in this country. AV programs won't protect you from the better ones.

So this is my AV program, it's free and it doesn't cause any system slowdown, nor weird errors:

- If I get an email with an attachment, I look at it in webmail. I have a gmail account so that's easy. Just go to web gmail, and they'll scan it for viruses for you. Same with yahoo mail. Convenient, no? Important: You do this even if the email is from your mother. In fact, especially if it's from your mother. Viruses infect systems and then send emails to everyone in the address book, so they'll look like they come from somebody you know.

- I disable Windows autoplay. This is a function in Windows which is enabled by default - it will start whatever application is on a CD you insert, or a flash USB drive you insert. Clearly that's idiotic, because there is no AV program that can protect you from a virus that has already been started by Windows. Disable autoplay ican be done via TweakUI. I don't know if it's easier to disable in Vista, I hope so. But it's crucial that it's disabled or you will be at the mercy of removable media viruses.

- I don't go to "warez" websites, ever. I don't go to "cracks" websites. Those will invariably install spyware in your system.

- I use on-demand AV software if I get paranoid that I might have a virus. ClamAV or something. Never had one though. I also use Ad-Aware to clean spyware when I maybe by mistake did go to one of these crackz websites.

Of course I am now on OS X and don't have to deal with any of this anymore.

Edited May 12, 2009 by nikster