To keep your computer running in tip-top shape you need to clean out the software crap, clean the registry, scan for spyware and adware, and setup your firewall. Luckily with the open-source movement there are plenty of free software options for keeping your PC running great.

Clean The Software Crap

1. CCleaner - CCleaner is an amazing application that clears out all the junk leftover by software applications, internet browsers, your operating system. It even tells you how many MB of files it’s going to remove, and if you don’t do this often it can easily reach up into a couple gigs. It comes with a registry cleaner and a startup uninstaller as well. We’ve recently discussed CCleaner here.

2. Eraser - Eraser is a tool for erasing sensitive data completely by overwriting the data several times with “carefully selected patterns”. This is good for getting rid of those important illegal documents, bank statements, any top-secret data you may have stored on your computer. Maybe those folks at Enron should have kept their data in the computers and used this instead of paper shredders.

Clean The Registry

3. EasyCleaner - Easy Cleaner is a registry cleaner that makes cleaning the registry, well, easy. Easy Cleaner is proficient, it takes only a few seconds to scan the registry and it comes up with a list of incorrect keys, duplicate files, things not otherwise used for you to delete. And in case you mess something up it has an undo function like all good registry cleaners do. Easy Cleaner also comes with several other tools to help you take care of duplicate files, basic add/remove program menu, start up configuration tool, start menu shortcut removal tool, clear browsing history, and a space usage pie chart that’s handy for figuring out where all your hard drive space went.

4. Auslogics Registry Defrag - This free software application handles all of the nasty registry work for you, it scans, defragments your registry, and then compacts the registry. By compacting your registry it saves you a bit of hard disk space, and speeds up your computer’s access to the registry which results in a faster PC. This software is very serious, it recommends that you close all other programs while it being ran and doesn’t let you move out the window once it’s started. Try running this after you clean out your registry with Easy Cleaner first.

Scan For Spyware And Adware

5. Ad-Aware - AdAware is an amazing program for getting rid of all your spyware troubles, just install it, load it up, check for updates then scan your computer. It gives you a detailed report of what’s lurking around in your system and gives you options on what to do next. This is one of the best classic anti-spyware programs out there. Sorry, Spybot, but you’re lagging behind.

6. Peer Guardian 2 - This is a program that not many people know about. It blocks certain bad IPs that are recorded on blocklists. They range from P2P, Ads, Government, Universities, to Corporations, known hacker’s IPs, and certain bogus IPs that people can use to get into your system. Best of all it uses hardly any resources while keeping your system safe, it loads at startup and runs quietly in the background, I forget it’s even there half the time. And if there’s some website you can’t access you can easily allow it through the Peer Guardian task bar icon. There’s an option to block HTTP, that the creators recommend to use, though the only time I had problems visiting sites was when block HTTP was enabled. You can download extra blocklists now, or you can wait for the very near future for a tutorial on how to get the most out of Peer Guardian that shows how to download and install the block lists.

7. HijackThis - If you have any known problems with your computer and can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong or where they’re coming from use HijackThis. HijackThis scans key areas of the registry and your hard drive that are used by programmers, hackers, and hijackers and lists the content. Don’t actually remove anything unless you are knowledgeable about it. HijackThis produces a log for you to post on Computer Tech Help forums with experienced people to help you.

Setup your Free Firewall Software and Antivirus Software

8. avast! - avast! antivirus is a free antivirus software application. It has several scanners (Network, P2P, Standard, Web, Instant Messaging, Internet Mail, Outlook/Exchange) to prevent your system from being infected. It works really well and it’s saved my butt a few times. It has a skinnable interface, and is really easy to use.

9. Comodo Firewall Pro - This is a hardcore firewall for those seeking to step up their network protection. It’s free like everything else on this list. I used to use ZoneAlarm, but after I discovered Comodo Firewall Pro, I realized this is the only firewall for people who want real protection. It’s been featured in several magazines and praised for the protection it provides.

This list is designed to help you keep your computer running in tip-top shape, but you have to take the first step. You have to go to these website and download the necessary software. You have to run these programs regularly, defrag your registry every other week, take care not to click on unknown objects on the interweb. And make sure you check out my Ultimate Windows XP Optimization Guide to speed up your computer even more, but take care when applying these tweaks.

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