Cleaning and Fasten up Windows XP

Cleaning Up XP

Suggestions:


1. Go offline.

2. Check Add/Remove for any bogus software. If any are found - uninstall. If the process is

denied check the Task Manager - to end the application before removing.

Added info: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove

3. Go to Disk Cleanup remove all then go to More Options and clear out all system restore points

but the last one.

4. In Windows Explorer/C: clear out the Prefetch folder and remove unnecessary items within the pss folder.

5. Go to Start/Run - msconfig/startup and uncheck accordingly (especially rundll or 32...).

Note: Windows XP doesn't need anything checked there to boot.

6. While still there under the Services tab, hide all MS services and scan through what is

left. Everything listed there is what you have installed - uncheck accordingly.

7. Under all users, check each startup folder and programs folder and look for suspicious entries.

8. Do the same via the registry (Start/Run/Regedit) under the runkeys for Local and Current user.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

9. Also in the registry - scan the software list for both Local and Current user.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software

10. Poll startupfolder and startupreg: Delete as needed

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MsConfig

11. Here: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Verify that: Shell = explorer.exe and Userinit = C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe,

12. Here: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Check data listed for AppInit_DLLs

13. Check all policy folders:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

14. Run cleaners: Make note of the path and manually remove them. If need be run via Safe Mode.

Cleaners: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_s.htm#spy

Safe Mode: How to boot into Safe Mode:

You need to hit F8 during boot, just after the BIOS info switches to black screen. Or...

Go to Start/Run/Msconfig. Boot.Ini and check off /SafeBoot. Apply/Ok, reboot.
Note: Before leaving safe mode, revert.

Description of Safe Boot Mode in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q202/4/85.asp

Safe-Mode Boot Switches for Windows Boot.ini File
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/7/80.asp

Another option: Add Safe Mode to the Boot Screen

Use as an example/guideline: Go to Start/Run and type in: C:\boot.ini and copy/add what you

want (Safe Mode or with Command Prompt), then save, reboot.

Normal, Safe Mode and Command Prompt.

[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Normal"
/fastdetect /sos)

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP SAFE
Mode"/safeboot:minimal)

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "XP SAFE Mode with
Command Prompt" /safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

15. If you get access denied for removal of any of the files - you could try to rename them or

use KillBox: http://killbox.net/

16. If Task Manager, Regedit, CMD ....etc are disabled:

Manual: Navigate to the key below and change the dword value to end with a zero as shown:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\]
"DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000


Do the same for the rest:

DisableRegistryTools
DisableCMD

17. For Registry cleanings, Download Registry Booster or other similar softwares.

Automated: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_emergencyutil.zip or
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/regtmcmdrestore.vbs



Note: I am not liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting of this message.

Good luck!

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Refererence : http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cleanup