Best Tools for Fully Cleaning System?

CeejayMode

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Hey all.

I'm here requesting help on the best tools for fully cleaning my PC's HDD and keeping it clean and fast, for gaming and overall performance.

I've tried doing system "Disk Cleanups" and "Disk Defragments", but both either fail to actually work, or take too long that it doesn't feel worth it.

My setup is 4GB of RAM, on a slightly overclocked 3.1GHZ processor, and I'm getting system "lags" here and there, some being short, some being 30 seconds long...

If anyone has suggestions on what I should do, please help.

Mods, feel free to close if you think it's a thread identical to one elsewhere on this forum.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
Hummm! Many like CCleaner for doing basic cleaning tasks, but, of course, you know about that. You can also use disk cleanup by going Control Panel > System and Security > System > Performance Information and Tools > Open disk cleanup for some basic cleanup. I'd just use the built-in defrag program occasionally.

A lot of cleanup is done by not messing up in the first place. Be sure you drive doesn't get too full. Don't just install any "ole" program without knowing in advance if it is likely to cause you problems. Don't install programs that you don't intend to use much unless absolutely necessary. Be sure and have system restore disk images and set restore points so you can go back to points where your system is functioning well. You might run sfc /scannow periodically to try to keep ahead of system corruption. Don't try weird things on your machine to see if they will work. Be well protected AV and firewall-wise. Try to fix problems as soon as they appear. You might keep tabs of your system performance using, for example, the Passmark Performance Test--which is 8 ready. Doing so can alert you to developing problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Hummm! Many like CCleaner for doing basic cleaning tasks, but, of course, you know about that. You can also use disk cleanup by going Control Panel > System and Security > System > Performance Information and Tools > Open disk cleanup for some basic cleanup.

A lot of cleanup is done by not messing up in the first place. Be sure you drive doesn't get too full. Don't just install any "ole" program without knowing in advance if it is likely to cause you problems. Don't intall programs that you don't intend to use much unless absolutely necessary. Be sure and have system restore disk images and set restore points so you can go back to points where your system if functioning well.

Disk Cleanup was my first call of action, but seems it doesn't like me. It stays constantly stuck on a certain point, so it's a no go.

Haven't actually used CCleaner for a bit, I'll use it tomorrow but there's a possibility that it can screw up my system, happened once before...

I happily made a System Restore Point twice on my machine after I reinstalled a couple of weeks back, and all has been well. One initial one at first boot, and one after installing the Adobe Master Collection CS6 and Microsoft Office 2013. Keeping my laptop clean for the meanwhile as I intend to use it as a replacement for my dieing school ultrabook.

Problem is, I think I may or may not have a virus causing the system lags... nothing is picking a virus up though. My HDD is still 2/5 empty, and I intend on keeping it that way, with most of my downloads and such on my external hard drive, with the exception of games.

Thanks for the tips :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
You are very welcome. I don't use CC for anything except very basic cleanup. I would make restore points, etc., before and after installing significant new software. Then, if the software causes problems, the restore will remove it. Alternatively, if something gets fouled up later, then you can restore back to right before the significant software was installed. I use BitDefender with no problems, but I am not making a case for you installing it. Check out the recommendations in my sig.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
You are very welcome. I don't use CC for anything except very basic cleanup. I would make restore points, etc., before and after installing significant new software. Then, if the software causes problems, the restore will remove it. Alternatively, if something gets fouled up, then you can restore back to right before the significant software was installed.
Thanks! I'll be sure to do so every time I install anything, just to be on the safe side. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
I have never had an issue with CCleaner and default settings. That being said just don't mess with regedit or check advanced settings and there is really nothing that should mess with anything that will "break" things. I use it regularly and have for years.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 and Ubuntu 1210
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway LX6810 Primary Desktop
I have never had an issue with CCleaner and default settings. That being said just don't mess with regedit or check advanced settings and there is really nothing that should mess with anything that will "break" things. I use it regularly and have for years.

Awesome! Thanks for the opinion, because I'm kind of nervous to use it after last time...

Problem is, I think I edit things in the registry too much, even one wrong character can screw up the whol registry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
Perhaps this---

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

only $27.00 US

Untitled.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
Hi there
You don't really need ANYTHING these days -- Windows 8 has decent collection garbage routines.

If you MUST - don't bother with some rubbish 3rd party apps like CCleaner.

Simply backup the drive (Disk mode back up rather than Partition Image mode ) to another partition / external disk - re-format the original and restore from the backup you've just taken. -- Job done simply, quickly and easily -- and you've got a backup into the bargain too.

Ensure that the restore isn't done sector by sector as you'll just be restoring a mirror image of the original disk, The standard restore will restore the files with as little as possible waste of cluster space and minimize the use of long cluster chains.

Things like Acronis should work perfectly in these situations. Much better than Windows Defrag or whatever.

For Uninstalling programs -- use the Programs and Features in the control panel -- it really does work far better than W7.

Windows 8 isn't Windows 7 so a lot of what one used in W7 isn't applicable any more or is just a waste of time -- as per any "Pro" versions of 3rd party "Un-installers". Totally a waste of money on W8.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I have never had an issue with CCleaner and default settings. That being said just don't mess with regedit or check advanced settings and there is really nothing that should mess with anything that will "break" things. I use it regularly and have for years.

Awesome! Thanks for the opinion, because I'm kind of nervous to use it after last time...

Problem is, I think I edit things in the registry too much, even one wrong character can screw up the whol registry.
Here is how to fix the registry if CCleaner messes it up. If you search on "ccleaner problems," then you will see that a variety of users claim a variety of problem related to CCleaner--besides registry issues.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Hi there
You don't really need ANYTHING these days -- Windows 8 has decent collection garbage routines.

If you MUST - don't bother with some rubbish 3rd party apps like CCleaner.

Simply backup the drive (Disk mode back up rather than Partition Image mode ) to another partition / external disk - re-format the original and restore from the backup you've just taken. -- Job done simply, quickly and easily -- and you've got a backup into the bargain too.

Ensure that the restore isn't done sector by sector as you'll just be restoring a mirror image of the original disk, The standard restore will restore the files with as little as possible waste of cluster space and minimize the use of long cluster chains.

Things like Acronis should work perfectly in these situations. Much better than Windows Defrag or whatever.

For Uninstalling programs -- use the Programs and Features in the control panel -- it really does work far better than W7.

Windows 8 isn't Windows 7 so a lot of what one used in W7 isn't applicable any more or is just a waste of time -- as per any "Pro" versions of 3rd party "Un-installers". Totally a waste of money on W8.

Cheers
jimbo
Hey there.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a go in the morning. Hopefully it fixes the system wide lag.

Ceejay.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
I never ask, but what have you done in trying to deal with your lag issue besides maybe some cleaning. Your optons are not as attractive since doing a repair install is not available anymore--at least in general. You could aways try an automatic repair or running sfc /scannow--trying to find some low-hanging fruit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I never ask, but what have you done in trying to deal with your lag issue besides maybe some cleaning. Your optons are not as attractive since doing a repair install is not available anymore--at least in general. You could aways try an automatic repair or running sfc /scannow--trying to find some low-hanging fruit.

I'll give it a try. I did do a defrag earlier and it fixes most lag, and I'm tossing up whether or not to upgrade to 8GB RAM or an SSD...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
Was the lag there originally--whatever you consider originally to be? If, yes, then, your posited upgrades could help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Was the lag there originally--whatever you consider originally to be? If, yes, then, your posited upgrades could help.

Alrighty. I heard an SSD might help, so I'll upgrade both the memory and storage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
    PSU
    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
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