3k Posts: (Videos) How to Install, Update, Tweak Windows - Computer Technical Help

funkyworms · 10-01-2009, 12:37 PM

After seeing more than my share of DDS and HJT logs with people running 60+ processes I decided to make some videos to show people how to install Windows, update it, and tweak it safely.

These videos are not really intended for advanced users though some advanced users may learn something from the later videos.

I have also included some of my favorite software.

I'm using Windows XP Pro in these videos but if I get enough positive feedback I can make similar videos with Vista and/or Windows 7.

Part 1 - How to install and update Windows.
Part 2 - Low priority updates and Windows tweaking.
Part 3 - Disabling Windows services
Part 4 - Recommended Software and (not recommended) junk software
Part 5 - Pidgin IM encryption with OTR, master passwords, and general safe habits
Part 6 - How to use Windows Defender. How to post logs with DDS and HijackThis.

Software -

Firefox
Thunderbird
Pidgin
OpenOffice
VLC Media Player
Infrarecorder
SumatraPDF
Pidgin Off-the-Record Messaging Encryption Plugin (OTR)
Avira AntiVir

Junk Software - There's no reason to have any of these programs installed.

AOL Instant Messenger
Yahoo Messenger
MSN or Windows Live messenger
Real Player
Quicktime
Nero
Roxio
Sonic
Adobe Reader
McAfee
AVG

Notable omissions: I didn't include anything about Firefox extensions (NoScript). I also forgot to enable Automatic Updates. You should enable Automatic Updates at the end of Part 2.

yowhatsup · 10-01-2009, 12:51 PM

Reading some of your posts has helped a lot, along with direct help to a thread of mine. This seems like a great gift you are providing for the community.

As of right now the youtube videos are private will they be made public? Or can we request a link/invite to view them?

KittyLiquor · 10-01-2009, 12:52 PM

Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7

Maybe not installation, as most Win7 users today are advanced users, but tweaks would be nice.

Why should we not use each of the "junk" software listed? (Quick answer is fine.)

Thanks!

-------------Kitty

**kerowo** · 10-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Very nice Funky! Thank you!

Circadux · 10-01-2009, 01:09 PM

Wow man
I am very thrilled how U are making those efforts
And indeed, I learned alot by you, Lirva and a couple others ( I was more of a reader for years)
I would donate U some for the efforts

PM me your Neteller or whatever , just for the efforts and the help U gave on this CTH forum.

Thx!

Edit : Whats wrong with Mcafee? I know I followed ur advice and removed the extensions and all ( wich worked out gr8) but i wonder why U call it junk

Is it bexause its soo buggy / laggy?

Thx

funkyworms · 10-01-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yowhatsup

Reading some of your posts has helped a lot, along with direct help to a thread of mine. This seems like a great gift you are providing for the community.

As of right now the youtube videos are private will they be made public? Or can we request a link/invite to view them?

Oh sorry about the private videos. I made them private when I uploaded. Just forgot to change it. Should be good now.

funkyworms · 10-01-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KittyLiquor

Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7 Win7

Maybe not installation, as most Win7 users today are advanced users, but tweaks would be nice.

Why should we not use each of the "junk" software listed? (Quick answer is fine.)

Thanks!

-------------Kitty

In Part 4 I quickly cover why the junk software shouldn't be used.

funkyworms · 10-01-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Circadux

Thx!

Edit : Whats wrong with Mcafee? I know I followed ur advice and removed the extensions and all ( wich worked out gr8) but i wonder why U call it junk

Is it bexause its soo buggy / laggy?

Thx

McAfee has absolutely horrible detection rates and has become bloated and slow. Even adjusting for selection bias, just doing an informal audit of McAfee on this forum is an excellent indicator of its inefficacy.

Circadux · 10-01-2009, 02:07 PM

Thx for the reply
Ill take a deeper look into it

Kristen S · 10-01-2009, 02:17 PM

This is really cool.

I would love to see a Windows 7 series.

Thank you!

LirvA · 10-01-2009, 04:19 PM

Very nice 3k sir.

funkyworms really is the nuts.

Circadux · 10-01-2009, 05:10 PM

I just watched Part 5, very usefull Vid man
Some little handy tips imo , I just didn't knew

Lol sorry for adding another Q :

MSN, Adobe etc u mention those as Junk as well.
I wonder : is it because MSN is easy to hack / or get access etc? since U recommend Pidgin
ok no I get the MSN part, ( Resaw the Vid 3 again)

funkyworms · 10-01-2009, 06:05 PM

MSN (aka Windows Live) Messenger isn't as offensive at AIM or Yahoo in terms of resource usage or installing 3rd party software, but it's not needed because Pidgin can connect to the MSN network.

Adobe Reader is junk for a few reasons

1. It's bloated and slow to load.
2. It runs a process constantly whether it's open or not. (Adobe Speed Launcher)
3. It tries to install a few extra items that you don't need such as browser toolbars, adobe download manager, and mcafee securitycenter.
4. It can run active content inside a browser and is very susceptible to exploits.

UbinTook · 10-01-2009, 06:07 PM

serious :
what is the reason for the AVG junk rating?

Gazillion · 10-01-2009, 06:19 PM

Great work man!

I'd really appreciate a Win 7 version, as my priority is to get a fairly slick Win 7 virtual machine running from within OSX that I can happily run a few tables along with HEM and Tableninja. Knowing what I can safely disable in Win 7 and what I can do to speed things up would be huge. Thanks!