Can I Delete Any Of These?

[smurfchops]

On my laptop, windows 7, very slow, wondering whether to delete any of these:
Microsoft Visual C++2005 Redistributable (x64) 19/09/2012
(then exactly the same again above it) then
Microsoft Visual C++2008 Redistributable x64 9.0.2 19/09/2012
Microsoft Visual C++2008 Redistributable x64 9.0.3 19/09/2012
No more of these, maybe I should keep one?
I dont use Microsoft Word, just Open Office.
Also what is ATI Catalyst Install Manager and do I need it??
Also HP Update (for my printer I presume)
HP FW Update ED02
HP Deskjet 3520 Series set up guide (Dont think I need this, I know how it works)
HP Deskjet 352series Help
Surely I can find the HP Help online if I need it ?
And lastly HP Deskjet 3520 series Basic Device Software - should I just keep this one ??

Thanks all, I am not technical AT ALL !!

[Buenchico]

Leave all of the Visual C++ entries in place.
https://askleo.com/do-i-need-so-many-copies-of-the-microsoft-visual-c-runtime/

Retain ATI Catalyst Install Manager because it controls your video card.

Retain the HP update entries, since they check that you've got the most recent firmware for your printer.

Retain the HP Basic Device Software, for fairly obvious reasons.

Delete the others if you want to but it won't free up much space and it won't speed up your computer.

To try to track down what's slowing your computer, as soon as you start it open the Task Manager (via right-clicking on the Task Bar at the foot of your screen). If the 'Processes' tab isn't already selected, click on it. Then click on 'Show processes from all users'. Maximise the window (by clicking on the square in the top-right corner) and then minimise it down to the Task Bar (by clicking on the line in the top-right corner).

As soon as things slow up, bring up the Task Manager window again and look for any of these signs of trouble:
1. A high number in the 'CPU' column. (The only big number should be against 'System Idle Process'. Everything else should show '00' or else be in low single figures).
2. A high number in the 'Working Set (Memory)' column. (Most figures should be under 10,000K. A few larger ones should still be under 100,000K. only your web browser, or other major program should be over 100,000K but still below 500,000K).
3. A number in the 'Working Set (Memory)' column which, even if it's not very big, keeps changing every second or two. (That's particularly important if you've already seen a high figure, in either column, again an entry for 'svchost.exe', as it reveals what's causing 'svchost.exe' to become so large).

If you find any of those symptoms, post here to tell us about them, so that we can suggest a solution.

[smurfchops]

Chris many thanks, when I get a minute next week I will do my best to do this and report back. You are so helpful.

[smurfchops]

Hello again, I did what you said, the only thing that stands out is svchost.exe is 115,472, it has gone down from around 115,504 in the last couple of minutes. Thanks Chris!

[SlackAlice]

Take a read through this lot! You've now got to determine what's triggering svchost.exe

http://www.wintips.org/how-to-fix-svchost-exe-netsvcs-memory-leak-or-high-cpu-usage-problems/

[Buenchico]

If svchost.exe is showing a fairly high figure, it means that there's a program on your computer that's trying to download and install something. Identifying that program can be rather tricky but it usually gives itself away through a number in the Working Set (Memory) column that changes every second or two, which shows that it's making a call on svchost.exe.

By far the most common cause is your antivirus software trying to update itself (but, for some strange reason, 'going round in circles' as it does so). For example, people using Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Defender might see MsMpEng.exe with that constantly changing number against it. The solution is usually to uninstall the security software and then either to uninstall it or switch to something else.

[Buenchico]

^^^ Yypo! (The second 'uninstall' should, of course, be 'reinstall').

[Buenchico]

Now I can't even spell 'Typo' correctly!

[smurfchops]

Thanks chris, Microsoft seems to be updating quite a lot, I have Windows 7, I suppose that is normal. If I delete Microsoft Security Essentials, what do you recommend I use? I have just seen above svchost, Firefox.exe *32 is roughly 326,000 and going up and down as we speak.

[Buenchico]

I've ditched Microsoft Security Essential on several computers precisely because the update service was slowing them to a halt. (So my posts above aren't purely theoretical; they're based on solid experience!).

Download and install Avast:
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/index
It should automatically disable Microsoft Security Essentials when you install it but, if you want to be sure that MSE isn't still running, you can uninstall it in the same way as any other program.

[smurfchops]

Thanks Chris I will do that and see if it speeds up. As always you are a star...