windows-computer-registry

Some actions to keep in mind to keep your computer updated and running smooth:
1) Turn on Automatic Updates and install them when they become available...:
microsoft update

2) Do you have any Microsoft Office software installed? It needs to be updated, too:
Just check for Office updates on the Microsoft Update site

3) If you don't have a trusted antivirus and spyware program. You should install one.
Under "Some helpful free tools for you" (down) I have found 2 very good and trusted free software pograms for you

4) Install and maintain a trusted firewall program.
.

Additionally...don't forget to run regular maintenace on your computer...

1) Disk Cleanup

2) Defrag How to defragment my computer

3) Full-system scans for viruses, spyware, adware and other malware.

4) Scan you Windows Computer Registry a couple of times per month.

Some programs like RegCure and Registry Easy cost a few bucks (and for said programs it is money well spent!!)

Remember you'll save tens or more dollars not having to go to the store or call a PC repair person.

But even before buying anything I suggest you use some of the free programs listed here, which are actually pretty good and score very well!

NOTE!
Neither of these listed programs will fix your windows computer registry!!

Please write a comment on here to let me know if all of this was helpfull to you!!

Thank you!

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5.325
(Virus Scanner and Anti spware) it's free to download and free to use!!
AVG Free

Avast anti virus (Free)
Avast Antivirus Free

What I usually suggest other people or what I use myself when fixing someone's computer is to do a "free" scan. There is a couple of internet sites that let you do that. This way you can check if you REALLY need to buy the registry software or not.
By doing this you will know what to do next, i do not want anyone to just blindly go buy any software that I recommended!!

When you click on the "Free Scan" button another window will open where you can download their trial version. Don't worry cause when you have installed the program (trial version) you CAN do a free scan. This is saver than the Free Scans online which install a so called ActiveX element in your browser which might be potentially dangerous to your computer.

When installing the trial version of RegCure or Registry Easy you can safely run the full scan from your own PC! When you are done and not satisfied or your computer is fine you can always uninstall this trial version without a problem.!

Here's the links for you to do the FREE registry scan:
RegCure Free Scan
Registry Easy Free Scan.

Most important for any computer user, when it comes to any software program, are the following criteria:

Easy To Use

Great Support

There are numerous (registry cleaning) software programs available these days. I have looked around and tested some software programs to see if they applied especially to the 2 criteria i just mentioned.

So far i found 2 that are worthwile mentioning here:

1. RegCure

2. Registry Easy

1. RegCure
"Thank you! My computer had fatal error messages and was freezing up. My brother recommended I try RegCure. I used the free scan and found 363 errors. Using RegCure fixed my PC and has it running like brand new!"
- Yorgi S. Seattle, WA
2.RegistryEasy
Registry Easy found over 1300 problems with my computer and was able to fix them all.I'm now able to use my system without being afraid that it's going to crash in the middle of something.

Mike Todd - San Francisco, US

Adaware or/and spyware are usually advertisment installments (small programs) of which you are not aware of. These are either installed with a lot of the freeware programs available on the internet or through visiting a certain internet site. These spy and adaware's can be annoying but can also mess up your whole computer!!

So naturally you do not want to risk losing ALL those photo's, bookmarks, documents and soforth because of spy or adaware!

How to get rid of annoying ads and strange things happening on your computer?

Check out Lavasoft's Adaware Plus It will keep your computer clean and running smooth (that is if your computer's registry is fine)

I have gathered some computer forums for you. Most of them you have to register first but that is always for free, do not pay to be part of a forum!!

computerhope forum

annoyances

Annoyances.org is the most complete collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Microsoft Windows

sysopt forum

System Optimization and PC Performance

Next one is not a forum but this place has some good pc-cleaning tutorials:

tutorials