Helpful software that isn't

[LVSteve]

Just got done trying to get disk usage down to a reasonable level on my wife's Windows 10 infected laptop. It jams up the machine so bad that I get no response when I hit CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open the Task Manager. The remedial work I've done so far involved disabling the following:

1) Windows search and indexing service. It is supposed to speed up searches on your machine. It is a prime offender for tying up your drive.

2) Windows Superfetch. This one supposedly speeds up starting your frequently used programs. It occasionally goes crazy with your drive.

3) A Google Chrome setting that tries to predict what webpage you want next. if you have a lot of tabs open, it does a lot of predicting and ties up the machine.

4) Some obscure Skype setting that I didn't entirely understand, but I did it anyway.

There are more invasive things I have yet to do because my wife has work to do on her machine, so I'll post a link in case it helps some of you guys.

Windows 10 100% disk usage in Task Manager [SOLVED] - Driver Easy

I think there is also an issue when the machine starts up after being in sleep mode. Web searches suggests I'm about to do battle with another 40 gallon drum of vipers.

 

[Alk8944]

The command is Control-Alt-Delete to open task manager!

 

[LVSteve]

The command is Control-Alt-Delete to open task manager!

Control-Alt-Delete opens a menu including Task Manager. CTRL-SHIFT-ESC opens it immediately.

Just realised this should be in the Lounge, lol.

 

[hoc9sw]

Interesting. I didn't know that Control-shift-Esc opened task manager.

Just tried it, and sure enough it works, BUT it is brutally slow compared to right-clicking the task bar.

 

[Backlighting]

I graduated to MAC some yrs. ago. You might want to consider the same.

 

[RobzGuns]

Once you get the memory hogs deleted from your Wife's machine, get "Ccleaner" and "Spybot Search & Destroy" from the CNET site ( Windows PC Software - Free Downloads and Reviews ).
Downloads from there are virus clean.

Ccleaner will scan drives and clean the cache, browser history and unnecessary files left behind by software updates. It will also scan and clean the registry. A cluttered registry will REALLY slow your machine. I run Ccleaner at LEAST Weekly.

Spybot S&D is a great bare bones Virus/Malware program you can run weekly.

If you run Chrome, an add-on called "Disconnect" is great for bypassing all those Pop-Up and Sidebar Ads, as well as trackers.

 

[RobzGuns]

I graduated to MAC some yrs. ago. You might want to consider the same.

LOL... I tried MAC some Years ago and hated it.
Switched back to Acer less than 6 Months later.
Just sayin'... Nothing Apple has impresses me.

 

[Joed49]

I went to Mac in 2009 and haven't gone back. Now, I do use software, VM Fusion, that lets me run Windows or any operating system on the Mac along with the Mac OS.

Biggest hog on Windows that I've found is Skype. Somehow it has even gotten into Windows 10 that I run on the Mac and I need to disable it.

 

[GaryS]

I don't know about you, but I have several programs I use frequently that aren't MAC compatible. I don't want to learn a new OS only to have to put a Windows emulator on it in order to run the programs I want to use.

I use Malware bites and System Mechanic on my computers and they both do a good job. In addition, I run Windows Defender, which comes with Windows.

With my wife's computer, I found that the biggest offender was her downloading "free" stuff that bogged down her computer. When I bought her a new one, I set her as a power user and me as the administrator. If she wants to download a program, she asks me and I do it. I also make sure that the updates are done on the OS and all of the programs.

LOL... I tried MAC some Years ago and hated it.
Switched back to Acer less than 6 Months later.
Just sayin'... Nothing Apple has impresses me.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I hope you have updated Chrome to fix the vulnerability they disclosed a few days ago.

The problem with running malware detection apps is that if you are infected with a really nasty bug it will detect and shut down the malware scanners and antivirus programs before they can do their jobs. Sometimes the only choice is to reformat and reinstall.

 

[Sevens]

I can't wait to try some of these tricks the next time I have to undertake a death match with the Fiancee's stupid laptop that I bought for her, that makes me look like a schmuck.

Not that you guys and these tips are no good, but this laptop is the spawn of satan, so I'll be far more than pleasantly surprised if that machine gets better.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Norton anti-virus slowed my computer down far worse than any virus it was designed to protect me from.

Putin (Kaspersky) has done a flawless job.

 

[swsig]

Putin (Kaspersky) has done a flawless job.

That's because if your computer is bogged down with viruses, it will make it more difficult for the Russkies to read what you have on it.