Completely Clean C Drive.

[Dnomeld]

I want to completely clean my C drive. I have just bought my first computer (second hand) and I want to give it a complete overhaul. I am going to make a bootable copy and disk image. But first I want to remove almost everything except the OS and basic device drivers. My OS is XP and I have all of my drivers installers. I have Auslogics Registry Cleaner and CCleaner. I will be looking into these and/or others that can be run from my USB. Are there any other programs that are helpful for this that are also portable? Thank you.

[Anupam]

Dnomeld, welcome to the forum.

It seems like all the threads that you posted till now are all related to your query about your computer which you bought second hand. All this could have been posted into a single thread, so that it was easier for you to follow, as well as for others those who would be replying to you. So, please do not create any more separate threads. Please post any further query in this thread only.

If you want to clean up your C drive, I would advise you to first start with uninstalling any applications/programs that you do not want. I hope you know how to uninstall the right way. It can be done via Add/Remove programs.

If you are not familiar with registry cleaners, I will advise against using them. Although CCleaner is a mild registry cleaner, and considered to be safe.. still, if you don't know what you are removing, registry cleaners can cause problems, and even render your system unbootable. So, use them with caution, and at your own risk. They cause more problems than they solve. Best way is to just uninstall the unwanted program, and delete other unwanted documents, stuff etc.

[Dnomeld]

Thank you Anupam and sorry about the multi-posts. For clarification, do you all just go to the next thread/ post, do you have specific areas of coverage or both? I am used to a physical work environment where space around a specific task is limited so, people enter that space on an as needed/ space available basis. This is the "why I did that" but, your Rome is not my Rome so, I will remember this.

For Junk folders: What about an association finder, either through the reg., meta-data or any other source?

For reg. cleaners: I've had this computer for about 6 mo. and have done an extensive program search for the ones that suit me. I run Auslogics Reg. Cleaner on auto-repair 1 - 2 times a month with absolutely no problems. Have I been lucky or can this program be this good?

To reinstall my OS on a clean drive should/ will i have to create a bootable copy and an image? Also, I do not have any disks for the comp..

[J_L]

What are you talking about? File associations?

Lucky or didn't notice. Registry cleaners are absolutely useless for performance, and will cause problems. Yes, CCleaner and other "safe" ones included. When I need to do something to the registry, I edit it.

You just need your install media (CD, DVD, USB, etc.). For drive imaging, you need a clean backup of the system already made, or afterwards.

[Anupam]

Originally Posted by Dnomeld

Thank you Anupam and sorry about the multi-posts. For clarification, do you all just go to the next thread/ post, do you have specific areas of coverage or both?

Don't fully understand what you are trying to say here.

Well, to clarify once again, your queries were about your second hand computer, which is the base of your queries. Therefore, I suggested that the queries should have been in one thread only.

However, if you have a different topic, which requires opening a different thread, then of course, you can open a new thread for it.

Also, read our forum rules for other information :

Forum Rules

Originally Posted by Dnomeld

For Junk folders: What about an association finder, either through the reg., meta-data or any other source?

For reg. cleaners: I've had this computer for about 6 mo. and have done an extensive program search for the ones that suit me. I run Auslogics Reg. Cleaner on auto-repair 1 - 2 times a month with absolutely no problems. Have I been lucky or can this program be this good?

To reinstall my OS on a clean drive should/ will i have to create a bootable copy and an image? Also, I do not have any disks for the comp..

Even if you do get a program which will remove folders by associations, or such, its a possibility that the program can remove a program folder which is still installed. So, I again give you the suggestion that for applications/programs, please uninstall them. I am sure the list won't be that long for the installed programs that you cannot handle them. Make a list of installed programs, then find out which ones you do not need.. and then uninstall them properly. After you have uninstalled them, look through the Programs Files folder for leftover files/folders for that programs. Also look in the Documents and Settings folders, where they leave behind their settings.

If you want, you can uninstall programs using Revo Uninstaller Free in moderate mode... which will also search for the registry entries of the program, and its folders. I suggest moderate mode, but if you are confident, then you can go for higher mode than moderate mode, which is more aggressive and therefore, involves higher risk.

If you are confident about registry cleaners, and you understand the risk, then go for it. But, our advice would always be to avoid them. It becomes more important to use the advice, because, as you say, you do not have an installation disk, nor you have any image backup of the computer... so, if anything happens wrong with registry cleaners, then you will be left with nothing. So, make sure you understand this point.

Safest way would be to uninstall programs yourself.. and scrutinize your computer. Remove unwanted folders, that are not of installed programs... and you would be good to go.

For drive imaging, since you have already created the thread for it, please carry out the discussion in that thread itself.

[Dnomeld]

Ok. I'll go the manual route.

Also, I told Sope that I would be continuing that thread elsewhere (I didn't specifically mention where). I'll reply to that original thread and see if he responds.

Thank you.

[Anupam]

Yes, manual route will be the best way to go about it.

Sope will definitely reply. On this forum, there are excellent people who are always ready with their helpful advice. Some very knowledgeable people are there with experience of drive imaging. I learned my share of drive imaging from them only .