Degunking Windows 7

Degunking Windows 7

Authors: Joli Ballew

Published: February 2011

eISBN: 9780071760065 0071760067 | ISBN: 9780071760058

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 Why is My Computer All Gunked Up?

You Are Here! (But, Why?)

What the Experts Know

Understand How You Got So Gunked Up

Files Are Stored Everywhere

Temporary Files Aren’t So Temporary

Spam, Spam, Eggs, Bacon, and Spam!

Unwanted Software and Trialware

The Menu System Is Overrun

Low Hard Drive Space

Unorganized Data Files

Unorganized Web Favorites

Spyware, Adware, and Viruses

Configured Service Packs and Updates

Too Much Music, Photos, Media, and TV

Too Many Connected Devices

Are You Gunked Up?

Ready for Degunking?

Summing Up

Chapter 2 The Degunking 12-Step Program

The Strategy Behind Degunking

Important Questions to Ask Yourself

The Hard Disk and Default Folders

Programs and Services

E-Mail

Updates

Security

Backups

Recovery Tools

The Degunking 12-Step Program

Summing Up

Chapter 3 Remove Unwanted Data and Programs

Clean Up the Default Folders and Libraries

A Note About Saving Files

Precautions

Delete Documents

Delete Media Files

Use Public and Shared Folders

Clean Up and Organize Your Hard Drive

Delete Files from the Root Directory (C:)

Move Files Out of the Root Directory

Delete Unused Files in Other Locations

Get Rid of Unwanted Programs

Use Control Panel to Remove Programs

Use a Program’s Uninstall Command

Be Persistent and Use Precaution

Turn Off Extraneous Windows Components

Clean the Nooks and Crannies

Use Disk Cleanup

Empty the Recycle Bin

Remove Unwanted User Accounts

Summing Up

Chapter 4 Organize Your File System

Manage Data in Folders

Create Personalized Subfolders

Pictures, Videos, Music, and More

Rename, Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete Folders

Organize Additional Drives or Partitions

Incorporate Libraries

Add a Folder to a Default Library

Create a New Library

Share a Library

Use Public Folders to Your Advantage

Configure Public Folder Sharing

Point Programs to the Public Folders

Share a Personal Folder You Create

Finalize the Organizational Process

Disk Defragmenter

Stay Degunked

Summing Up

Chapter 5 Clean Up Your Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar

The Desktop

Get Rid of Unwanted Desktop Icons

Create Desktop Icons You’ll Use

Remove Folders

Change the Wallpaper and Screen Saver

The Start Menu

Explore Start Menu Options

Pin Items to the Start Menu

The Taskbar

Pin Items to the Taskbar

Configure Taskbar Settings

Manage the Taskbar’s Notification Area

Summing Up

Chapter 6 Optimize Your Hard Drive

NTFS and FAT

Get Rid of Unsigned Drivers

Use File Signature Verification

Set Driver Signing Properties

Enhance Performance

Run Check Disk

Run Performance Tests

Tweak Features and Use Advanced Tools to Enhance System Performance

Schedule Disk Cleanup

Clean Up the Registry

Inside the Registry

Explore the Registry with Regedit

Know Why You Should Clean the Registry

Choose Registry Cleaning Software

Summing Up

Chapter 7 Clean Up and Secure Internet Explorer 8

Improve Performance

Use Compatibility View

Remove or Disable Toolbars and Add-ons

Improve Security

Review Privacy and Security Settings

Delete Cookies, Temporary Internet Files, and AutoFill Data

Explore InPrivate Browsing

Organize Favorites

Explore Alternative Browsers

Summing Up

Chapter 8 Clean Up Your E-Mail

Manage Your Inbox

Keep, Hold, or Pitch?

Create Folders and Subfolders and Move E-Mail

Manage Attachments

Explore Filtering Options

Reduce Spam

Know How Spam Works

Use Multiple E-Mail Addresses

Protect Your Primary E-Mail Account

Take Matters into Your Own Hands

Avoid Triggering Other People’s Spam Filters

Know How to Back Up E-Mail Data

Summing Up

Chapter 9 Secure Your Computer

Use, er, User Accounts

Create User Accounts (or Apply a Password to Yours)

Use a Guest Account

Protect Your Computer with Built-In Windows 7 Features

Apply a Screen Saver Password

Use the Action Center to Resolve Known Security Issues

Configure Automatic Updates for Windows 7

Perform a Scan with Windows Defender and Enable Windows Firewall

Protect Against Viruses, Malware, and Adware

Consider Free Security Software from Microsoft

Summing Up

Chapter 10 Clean Up and Secure Your Network

Verify Your Network Is Secure

Secure Your Router

Make Sure Your Network Is “Private”

Verify Sharing Is Configured Correctly

Re-create Your Network and/or Create a Homegroup

Intro to Homegroups

Locate an Existing Homegroup or Create a New One

Tweak the Homegroup

Keep Your Network Degunked

Resolve Network Problems

Remove Unwanted Wireless Networks

Summing Up

Chapter 11 Fix Problems with Media

General Media Degunking

Get Updates for All of Your Media Players

Get Rid of Media Players You Don’t Use

Review and Clean Up Your Playlists

Work with and Troubleshoot Media Licenses and/or Media

Authorize or Deauthorize Computers to Play Media

Troubleshoot Play To

Degunk Windows Media Center

Summing Up

Chapter 12 Optimize Syncing

Explore Device Stage

Set Up a Sync Partnership in Device Stage

Troubleshoot Partnerships

Explore Windows Media Player

Take Inventory of Third-Party Hardware and Software

Dump Unwanted Hardware, Software, and Media

Tweak Settings in Third-Party Media Sync Applications

Summing Up

Chapter 13 Resolve Lingering Software and Hardware Issues

Finalize Software Degunking

Update Software You Use

Deal with Unwanted Update Notifications

Check the Action Center Regularly

Use Program Compatibility Mode

Make Multimedia Games and Software Run Better

Finalize Hardware Degunking

Troubleshoot Device Drivers

Replace Incompatible Devices with Compatible Ones

Upgrade Hardware When You Can

Add Memory

Add a Second Monitor

Add a Backup Device

Tweak System Restore Settings

Repair a Problem Using the Windows 7 Installation DVD

Physically Clean the Machine

Keyboard

Mouse

Computer Case

Monitor

Degunk Inside the Case

Summing Up

Chapter 14 Back Up Precious Files

Make Sure Safeguards Are in Place

Learn What to Back Up and How Often

What and How to Back Up

How Often to Back Up

Where to Store Backups

Use the Windows 7 Backup and Restore Application

Create a Complete Backup

Create a System Image and Repair Disc

Drag and Drop Files to a USB Flash Drive

Understand How to Restore Your Computer

Summing Up

Appendix Buy and Degunk a New PC

How, When, and Why to Buy a New PC

Prepare and Degunk a New PC

What to Do Now if You Installed Windows 7 Clean

What to Do Now if You Want to Degunk Your New PC Manually

Options for Transferring Your Personal Data

Summing Up

Index