Advice on Windows Reliability

Best Practices for Windows Reliability, Plus How to Fix Pre-existing (before you got WinFix) Windows Problems

For maximum reliability of Windows, and especially if you have pre-existing problems, follow as many of these best-practices as you can.

Note: If you are having problems right now, it likely may be the result of malware that got into your PC, and you should check and get that fixed first by following the advice on our Security Advice page.

1) Install all the Critical Updates from Microsoft's new Windows Update Website, at http://update.microsoft.com

2) If you do not have Windows XP, upgrade to Windows XP, with at least Service Pack 2 mentioned on the CD label. This upgrade version of Windows will cost less than $100 and is far more stable and reliable than older Windows. It's also far more secure, and with the very dangerous environment today, it is really an absolute must. Do not buy it from any vendor offering prices that are obviously too low. These are bootleg copies that cannot be trusted. You can save some money and get a full version almost as cheap as the upgrade, if you buy an OEM copy in conjunction with a pc hardware purchase, from many reputable vendors. But beware of any vendor that does not have a phone number with real professionals on the other end (call and be sure) and also a real existing physical address listed on their site. There are a lot of OEM, upgrade and full versions of Windows XP (and many other major software packages) for sale on the Net that are really bootleg versions that cannot be trusted.

If you already have Windows XP but without Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Service Pack 3 (SP3), the SP2 or SP3 is a free large download. Unless you have a high speed connection, it will take several hours to download, and you might want to do it overnight or order an inexpensive SP2 or SP3 CD disk from Microsoft. You can get the Windows XP SP2 or SP3 download automatically if you go to the auto update site at http://update.microsoft.com

3) In today's dangerous security environment, whenever you get problems with Windows, you should run all your anti-malware software first.

You should do this before trying anything like WinFix or Windows' built-in System Restore (Windows XP or Windows ME only), because even if the security software is set to run as automatically as possible, malware can still sneak in, either between scans or between updates of the security software.

A large percentage of instability and performance problems with Windows are caused by viruses, spyware, and other malware running on your pc without your knowledge. See our Security Advice page for how to get rid of all that.

4) Use WinFix. WinFix works independent of Windows, so it doesn't conflict with competing products, and can be used either in addition to or instead of them. WinFix protects and fixes Windows by saving and if necessary restoring, saved Windows setups. This is similar to the System Restore function built into Windows, but WinFix is much simpler and more reliable than System Restore, and WinFix fixes a large number of Windows problems that System Restore cannot fix. Also, when restoring Windows to a saved prior state, System Restore deletes some things (not documents) that were not present at that earlier time. WinFix does not delete any files, it simply rolls back the configuration settings to ones that were working.

(But System Restore is still very valuable, so be sure it is turned on. The icon for System Restore can be located as follows: Click the Start button, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore; then click on the link System Restore Settings, and make sure that the check box is not checked.)

We recommend putting a copy of the System Restore icon on your Windows Desktop and another copy on the Start menu. Navigate to the icon as just described, then right-click on it, and drag it by holding the right mouse button down while you drag the icon to an unused area on your Desktop, then release the mouse button, and choose "Create shortcut here" from the pop-up menu. Then repeat that procedure, but this time drag the icon to the Start button, and then release the right-click mouse button. This will place a copy of the icon in the upper-left area of the Start button menu.

(Also drag a copy of the WinFix icon onto the Start button if your Start button menu does not already have a copy of the WinFix icon in the upper-left section of the menu.)

If Windows is already unstable, for example it is crashing or giving error messages, then that is a pre-existing problem that WinFix probably cannot fix. But if System Restore was turned on before you had the problem, and by default it is turned on, perhaps System Restore can fix the problem. But if you had had WinFix installed before you got a Windows stability problem, WinFix probably would also have been able to fix it, with over a 90% probability. If your pc is unstable, first stabilize it (see below) before installing WinFix, then WinFix will keep it stable, and solve most new problems.

In general, if you have WinFix and System Restore, you should try first whichever program has the most recent saved Windows setup.

5) A large number of instability problems with Windows are caused by installing non-Microsoft utility software, such as large suites of utilities, crash guards, speed-up programs, memory optimizers, etc. Unless you really need them, avoid installing most non-Microsoft utility/system software. This type of software usually adds a layer of complexity to Windows, in the form of drivers, vxd's, tsr's or other background programs.

Besides WinFix, the most essential non-Microsoft utility for Windows, there are two other utility programs that we recommend (WinFix is not affiliated with either vendor). First, TuneUp Utilities 2008 or 2009 at http://www.tune-up.com There is one small caution we have regarding this program. We do not recommend using the TuneUp MemOptimizer feature, because we think that Windows XP already handles memory very well, and there is no need to add an extra layer of complexity. TuneUp has a free 30 day trial, so everyone should at least get that, because it will clean up a lot of problems for free.

The other tool is Registry Mechanic from PC Tools at http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/. This program finds some items to fix in the Windows Registry that TuneUp Utilities misses, and vice versa. Both programs seem to be safe, which is not true of many tune-up, Registry cleanup, and other utility tools. Your system will definitely run faster and more reliably if you keep it clean and tuned up with these two utilities. Add WinFix and also regular systemwide backups using either the built-in Windows XP backup program or another full backup program, and you will have a PC that is as close as is possible today to a true information appliance, that is, nearly as dependable as any other appliance such as a TV.

Except for WinFix and the two tune-up programs, almost all you really need for utility software is already provided in Windows by Microsoft. Microsoft's chkdsk and ScanDisk are excellent disk repair programs, their Disk Defragmenter is excellent, and the Add/Remove Programs feature in Windows' Control Panel does a pretty good job of uninstalling software. System Restore is good in many cases, and is a good complement to WinFix. WinFix is more reliable and fixes a wider range of problems, including many of the most serious ones, but System Restore saves more often, so both should be used. Also, if you right-click on an open area of the Windows desktop, you can get to pretty good Microsoft-provided Screen Saver and Power Management utilities. Windows also already has built-in crash-guard, memory management and optimizer, and many other system-utility features, most of which work invisibly with no input required from the user. You do not need to install most non-Microsoft utility software, and almost all the Windows problems that we see are caused by either user error, malware, or non-Microsoft utility software that causes problems with Windows.

6) Practically the only way to improve on Windows' built-in utilities is to add value the way WinFix does; which is to add, outside Windows, intelligent, robust, safe machinery dedicated to producing a good increment in robustness, using only Microsoft approved methods. WinFix does nothing harmful, and will give you a layer of protection, regardless of what else you do, without adding a layer of complexity to Windows.

If Windows is still unstable, even after you have followed the advice above on this page and the advice on the Security Advice page, then try the following to re-stabilize Windows:

6.1) First back up all important data, and preferably back up your whole PC. At a minimum, copy the folder c:\ Documents and Settings to a writable CD or DVD, or to an external USB hard disk, or to another PC, etc. External USB hard drives including basic backup software can be easily bought for about $100 or a bit more. Look for one with included automatic backup software, unless you are already comfortable with Windows XP Pro's built in backup utility. (Windows XP Pro automatically installs Microsoft's back up utility, but users of XP Home can find this Microsoft backup utility on their Windows XP installation CD and then install it manually.) which is a one time expense that can keep you safe from losing all your work for several years, and we highly recommend getting one.

6.2) If the problem you are having is limited to an application program, i.e. programs you actually use to do work, communicate, or for entertainment, try re-installing that program.

6.3) This next step is not available in Windows 95, because Windows 95 does not have the Microsoft msconfig utility; but Windows 95 users should read this step, and try to accomplish the same thing using the "Add/Remove Programs" feature described in step 6.4) below.

For Windows XP/2000/ME/98 users, click the Start Button, select Run, and type into the box the command:

msconfig

then click on OK

A dialog will pop up that has several tabs at the top. If you are using older versions of Windows, first click on the Create Backup button in the lower left corner of the dialog window. After the backup is created, click on the Startup tab in the upper-right corner of the window. Then you should see a scrollable list of programs with check boxes next to them. Each program with a check mark starts every time you start Windows, and one or more of them may be causing your problem. Uncheck any non-Microsoft utility software that you suspect may be causing problems, such as large suites of utilities, crash guards, uninstallers, tune-up programs, speed-up programs, screen savers, memory utilization improvers, anti-virus software, etc., especially programs that you no longer need or use. You can return to this msconfig dialog later and re-check any programs that you want to.

Some common Microsoft programs that you may see on that list, that you do not need to uncheck, include ScanRegistry, TaskMonitor, SystemTray, LoadPowerProfile, SchedulingAgent, and Microsoft Office Startup. Other things, like the drivers for your optical scanner, cd-writer, or other installed hardware, should usually be left alone. Applications like juke boxes, and other things that do not really need to run all the time, can also be unchecked, and you can start them only when you need them, using their regular program icons (for example the icons on your Windows Desktop or on your Windows Start button, Programs menus.)

After you make changes to the list, click the Apply button, then the OK button, and Windows should restart your pc without loading the potentially trouble-causing program(s). Use your pc for a while to see if it is stabilized. In many cases, this will have stabilized Windows.

6.4) If you have Windows XP, for many non-Microsoft utility programs, it is best to use their provided uninstaller program and uninstall them. If they do not have one, you can use "Add/Remove Programs" feature in Windows' Control Panel to uninstall them. Windows XP does not really need programs like crash guards, speed-up programs, screen savers, and memory utilization improvers. See 5) above for two tune-up programs we do recommend.

To do this, click the My Computer icon, then open the Windows Control Panel, then click the Add/Remove Programs icon. One by one, remove non-Microsoft utility programs that you suspect of causing problems. You normally do not need to uninstall application programs. You can re-install any programs later if you need to.

Restart your pc. Use your pc for a while to see if it is stabilized. In many cases, this will have stabilized Windows.

6.5) If your pc is then stabilized, install WinFix to keep it stable. If WinFix is already installed, re-save your Windows setups using the "WinFix - Save Windows Setup" icon. If it is still not stable, proceed to the next step.

6.6) Reinstall Windows over the existing Windows installation, to refresh your existing installation. CAUTION: The setup CDs that come with many PCs wipe out all changes made to the pc since it was first set up, and restore the whole computer system back to its original state. Do not use those CDs unless you are willing to not just refresh Windows, but also lose all your personal data and settings and all work done on the pc since it was first set up, and also need to reinstall all applications installed since the PC was set up. We are only suggesting simply re-installing just the Windows operating system itself, which can usually be done only with a Microsoft-produced Windows installation CD. Even when the manufacturer-supplied setup CDs CDs are divided into 2 sets - one for Windows or System software, and the other for applications, many of the System CDs will still reformat your hard drives and start over with a fresh installation of everything on the PC. So be certain to check with your computer vendor to find out if they have supplied you with a true Windows Install CD, and if not, see if they will provide one for you. Simply re-installing only Windows itself, usually will respect or honor, and not cause data loss from, your existing installed applications, but to be safe, first do a system-wide backup anyway.

To re-install Windows ME/98/95:

a. Put in your Windows Startup Disk, power off 5 seconds then power on, then choose to start your pc "With CD-ROM Support" (If you don't have a Windows Startup Diskette, you can make one by going to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, then clicking on the Startup Disk tab at the top of the window.)

b. Run the Windows setup program. For example, if your CD drive is drive d: then on the command line, type in d:\setup then hit enter (substitute the letter of your CD drive if it is not d:). As the Windows installer proceeds, accept all the defaults that Windows suggests.

c. If you see any dialogs asking you if you want to keep your existing files, because they are newer than ones the CD is trying to install, say Yes, to keep your existing files.

d. After re-installing Windows, go to the Windows Update Website. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and choose Product Updates, then take the Critical Updates, plus any non-critical updates that you really want.

Note: We are no longer recommending Microsoft RegClean, because we suspect that there are bugs in it, plus it only makes tiny reductions to the size and complexity of the Windows registry anyway. If you installed RegClean for WinFix to use it, the new WinFix will simply ignore RegClean, and not use it. For two registry cleaners that we do like, see 5) above.

7) Use a major brand, current model PC, for example Dell, IBM, Toshiba, Compaq/HP, etc., because they are so thoroughly tested and also widely supported by software and peripheral suppliers.

8) Do regular, system-wide backups, using top brand hardware and software, for example Maxtor, Western Digital, HP, Sony, and Seagate, etc. You should always have at least one, and preferably two or more, full backups, spaced for example a week apart.

9) Use a battery backup uninterruptible power supply, for example APC or Energizer brand. Power sags, spikes, and blackouts cause much more trouble than most people realize.

10) Avoid ISA-type plug-in cards whenever possible. PCI cards, AGP cards, and USB peripherals, all have much lower potential to destabilize Windows.

11) Don't run beta versions of software on your main PC unless they are from very major vendors, and even then, be sure you have a recent full backup on hand before you install the beta software.

12) Don't install software that you don't really need.

13) For programs that you know cause even small problems, but which you need to use, run them by themselves if possible, and reboot after you use them.

14) Save your work frequently.

15) Save your work and restart your system at the first sign of any unusual behavior. Consider upgrading or getting rid of any program that makes your system unstable after you run it.