I installed and ran CCleaner as my PC was running slow, but it is now running even slower. What have I done?
CCleaner & OS version?
Did you use the Cleaner or Registry section (or both)?
Maybe you cleaned 'prefetch' ?
Sounds to me like the PC needs:
1. Rebooted, as this usually solves so many issues when a PC isn't running well.
2. Defragmented.
CCleaner really shouldn't have "slowed down a PC," because it removes left-over files, and redundant registry data which shouldn't ever cause performance issues, and if followed by a good defrag after using CCleaner a PC should actually run more efficiently.
Maybe caches and buffers just need repopulation?
Agreed. It seems like he emptied the prefetch folder and/or several cache folders.
Thanks for your replies
Latest CCleaner download - Win XP Prof 32 bit
Both cleaner and registry. Every thing that was checked as default
Did not check prefetch or anything in advanced or anything that was not checked in default
Rebooted and defragmented
Thanks for your replies
Latest CCleaner download - Win XP Prof 32 bit
Both cleaner and registry. Every thing that was checked as default
Did not check prefetch or anything in advanced or anything that was not checked in default
Rebooted and defragmented
Not sure if it's better now as you defragmented. Is this about your boottime by the way? If so, are we talking seconds, minutes?
Running Super antispyware, Spybot search and destroy, Avast antivirus.
Not better after defrag. Both boot time and running. 3 mins boot. Several mins opening docs, programs etc
As a test disable you security software and run ccleaner.
Something in CCleaner might have "reset" something in the mal-ware scanners. And now they're starting from scratch and re-scanning everything. An operation that could take some time.
It's never a good idea to run more than one security package. They just end up duplicator or fighting each other's activities.
Is it appropriate to consider restoring the Registry backups that were suggested when cleaning the registry.
IDK.. maybe not. I'd try finding the source of the slowdown and go from there.
While it's good to have layered security from multiple anti-malware products and since you're on WinXP I'd let Avast have real-time enabled and only Avast. Too many running real-time protection shields from multiple products can slow down WinXP, even if those products claim they won't conflict with each other.
All sensible replies. If it were me I'd start with some general stuff:
-restore backup registry through ccleaner if possible
-temporarily disable or even uninstall all protection (one by one re-install but like said, Avast alone should be 'sufficient')
-check msconfig / services.msc for unneeded startup-items / processes
Also check your task-manager (ctrl-alt-del) for processes eating up too much resources.
-restore backup registry through ccleaner if possible
Let's not confuse people - It's never been possible to restore a registry backup made by CCleaner through CCleaner itself. It saves .reg files that can be double-clicked to merge/restore the data back in.
-temporarily disable or even uninstall all protection (one by one re-install but like said, Avast alone should be 'sufficient')
Avast being the only resident/real-time protection should be enough, however other things like say Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will still be necessary even as a freeware edition to do on-demand scans to find stuff that Avast can't.
Tried thatAs a test disable you security software and run ccleaner.
It's had time to clear. I've been advised that what one security package misses another picks upSomething in CCleaner might have "reset" something in the mal-ware scanners. And now they're starting from scratch and re-scanning everything. An operation that could take some time.
It's never a good idea to run more than one security package. They just end up duplicator or fighting each other's activities.
IDK.. maybe not. I'd try finding the source of the slowdown and go from there.
That's the reason for my query - how do I find the source?
I've had WinXP and the security products for years without slow running until recentlyWhile it's good to have layered security from multiple anti-malware products and since you're on WinXP I'd let Avast have real-time enabled and only Avast. Too many running real-time protection shields from multiple products can slow down WinXP, even if those products claim they won't conflict with each other.