Do I realy require all the following "safety nets" ??

[telboy1938]

Hi ..... My computer runs on XP Professional SP3 and I have AVG9 professional installed so my question is:- Do I really need to keep paying for additional software? I have Reg Mechanic and Registry Booster installed but apart from the cost of renewing the subscriptions shortly and I am annoyed with the constant windows opening telling me I've got files needing deleteing or cleaning. Surely Microsofts Disc Cleanup and defragment programme plus AVG is sufficient....I eagerly await your advice... Merry xmas to all out there...especially ChuckFickens if your on-line......Telboy

[ChuckFickens]

Personally I would never touch anything that claims to clean or speed up your registry. the windows registry is a very complicated area and no bit of software can be aware of what any individual registry should or shouldn't have in it meaning they are as (more) likely to remove something that is required and cause problems as they are to help.

In my opinion you should have, one decent anti-virus program, one decent anti-malware program (malwarebytes is the leader at the moment) you should use the windows defrag every couple of months and make sure your computer is kept up to date with all the latest windows updates, there is no need for anything that claims to clean the registry or any other "pctools" type program.

the other main thing that is required is a sense of awareness when you are installing any software to make sure you don't install any of the rubbish such as toolbars or other optional extras that the installer may try and install during the install process.

[ChuckFickens]

OH, and merry Christmas to you and your loved ones too, telboy :)

[TTG]

What program is showing the messages that certain files need cleaning/defragging? I've never needed reg mech or reg boost.

AVG needs upgrading to 2011 by the way. I have that and it's very good. You might also consider downloading malwarebytes. It's free but only the paid version has constant monitoring function. I update it every few days and run a quick scan and a full one every month. Get a good firewall if you have not got one or are using the built-in Windows one.

Check if you have services or processes running that you do not need. Start/Run msconfig. Search on net for each ticked item on the Services and Startup tabs. See if it's ok that you can untick it to disable.

[TTG]

Sorry Chuck, did not mean to steal your thunder!

[ChuckFickens]

No problem TTG, we seem to largely agree and nobody should ever take a single persons opinions as fact in these matters.

[telboy1938]

Many thanks ChuckFickens... I will delete the programmes with immediate effect. Have a great xmas and a prosperous 2011.... and you to TTG....regards...Telboy

[RAV1D]

Don't pay for any clean up,antivirus,software,you can find free ones on the net that are as good,if not better than those you pay for! the major ones you pay for like norton,and mcaffi tend to take over your pc and use alot of memory and can be hard to get rid off once on your pc.