Well tomorrow I'm going riding cus it will be +16 & sunny but 1st... tonight I am going to try writing this. After gazing over the entries both here & in other Tech Forums where I write there are some common threads ('cuse the pun). So here are some feelings, observations & opinions based on what I've read & been through. ----------------------------------------------------------- Yes, clean installs can be done using Upgrade media. Clean installs are always a better idea than in-place upgrades; one can more confident of good results. Clean installs are best period. ------------------------------------------------------------ Don't use Norton. Don't use Registry Cleaners/Fixers. Especially average or below average End Users should stay out of the Registry. ------------------------------------------------------------ Here's a nice short recipe for Win7 security: Win7 + its Firewall + an A-V (MSE strongly suggested/recommended) + Windows Defender (if MSE not used for A-V) + SpywareBlaster = Peace-of-mind. Can have Spybot, Ad-aware, Malwarebytes 'in the wings' but, no need for regular, repeated use. --------------------------------------------------------- Use CCleaner lots & keep it updated. In addition use Internet Options (Delete), Disc Clean-up. Don't neglect to use these consistently. -------------------------------------------------------- Do not bother trying in-place upgrades from XP or Win7 betas to Windows 7 (final). Both are unsupported/not recommended paths & both are mistakes. -------------------------------------------------------- This is critical... IF, you are doing an in-place upgrade do this 1st!! On the OS being replaced thoroughly clear all junk, unnecessary files, do full scans for malware (Defender, Spybot, Adaware, Malwarebytes). You must be sure the prior OS is clean & healthy before migrating to the new. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If can do the higher cost it's best to go w/ Full Version media. -------------------------------------------------- Do your homework (Win7 Upgrade Advisor Tool) before putting 7 w/ some old hardware, mostly involves video & audio cards. ----------------------------------------------------- Windows 7 is good on many levels, for many reasons. Features, security, functionality. "Going back to XP" is not a solution, it's a cop-out. If a snag, deal w/ it, find a resolution & keep going forward rather than going backwards; especially to something that is on its last legs, is quite old technology (XP is 10 yrs old) & as of 30/06/09 has no mainstream support. ------------------------------------------------------Sleep: My 7s don't behave as I'm use to or expected. When put to sleep they 'appear' to be shut down but upon hitting the POWER button & turning monitor off & on, they wake up. If left to put itself to sleep,screen saver keeps going but, now a mouse nudge will wake it. Be fexible, rather than think something is wrong (w/ Win7)... try a few things. -----------------------------------------------Humans balk @ or fight change. Be open-minded, adapt, explore what's new, changed, different & you may come to embrace the present/future w/ appreciation & enthusiasm. ------------------------------------------------- When possible partition fresh installs as follows: Create 2 partitions... 1 smaller for the OS which will be (re)named System (Drive) C:\ and 1 larger which will be (re)named Data (Drive) & be ?:\ . @ this moment only format C:\, the partition to which the OS is being installed. After the OS is 'live' (now) format the 'other' drive then rename them System & Data. ------------------------------------------------------ Always Defrag after a fresh install. OS, A-V, A-M, Updates, Java, Adobe & Defrag Now. --------------------------------------------- When running anti-malware tools be sure to update them 1st. Set Windows Defender or MSE to Daily & Full Scan (Default is Sunday & Quick). ----------------------------------------------------- Do not download from P2P shared file services. They are freebut, dangerous. ------------------------------------------------------ If Internet connection issues probably not the OS being the root cause. Forcus on modem & router concerns. ------------------------------------------------ An HD video card is best & an embedded v-technology CPU is needed for virtualization. ----------------------------------------------------- Switching from x86 OS to x64 requires clean install and an x64 capable hardware platform. x86 will not see or use more than about 3.25Gigs of RAM, no matter how much is in a machine. 32-bit apps will run on x64 configuration. ---------------------------------------------------------- Don't download Windows 7 from non-Microsoft websites. IF you grab the Windows 7 .iso from Microsoft burn it to DVD @ a very slow spd, x4 or less -------------------------------------------------- Do not hesitate to move to Windows 7. It is timely & good enough that you won't have regrets. Enterprise will reap worthwhile ROIs in a short timeline. Some of the above is fact or close enough; some is just a humble voice of experience; some is personal opinion. Much is "Best Practices". All is, pure & simple, an effort to share info & maybe be helpful. Enjoy Windows 7!! Thanks for listening. Regards, Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Regarding registry cleaners, here is an interesting article:http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=171203805I would ask you to perform three tests before you select a registry cleaner:1. Perform a clean install of Windows. Install andscan withany desired registry cleaner. What do you suspect the results should be? No entries for deletion, or many? What did you get?2. Install MS Office Save a copy of the registry. Uninstall MS Office. Save a copy of the registry. Compare the before and after for size. Did an uninstall really occur? Install andclean with any desired registry cleaner. Save a copy of the registry. Compare the new after against the original. Did it really clean the registry?3. Install the twomost likely registry cleaners you may choose from: Save a copy of the registry. Run each to see how many entries are found and compare the numbers.Allow one to remove all found entries, reboot, then re-run the scan.Are all entries removed? Run the second registry cleaner. Did it find more? Restore the registry and repeat this test running the cleaners in the opposite order.Basically, you will find that registry cleaners are bogus.

Simply put, CCleaner is not a Reg Cleaner/Tweaker. It is primarily dealing w/ Junk/Unnecessary Files; it's more along the lines of Internet Options (Delete) & Disc Clean-up.I feel Reg Cleaners per se are both unneeded & scary, certainly in the hands of the average End User. I truly believe reg cleaners can break or remove things completely undesired.How? I advise getting CCleaner by going to www.ccleaner.comI advise not obtaining reg cleaners/tweakers.Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Yes, it is free, safe & excellent. I have used it for years, put it in all the machines I custom build for clients & countless others will also recommend it.http://www.ccleaner.com/Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

I second Drew1903's comments. CCleaner is useful and well designed utility that serves a useful purpose. Like all utility programs it needs to be used with discretion and the info on the screen needs to be read before clicking on the'next' key.

I trust some thoughts besides or in addition to the item regarding CCleaner will also be noticed & of some worthwhile value or @ least thought provoking.And to 'OldHobo', cool you are also among the CCleaner supporters & advocates. Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Hello valued Technet posters, First I would like to thank all the posters for the shared information. I have found that the more I learn, the more smart people I find, which puts all my learning into perspective. It is always a fun learning experience to read the forums. Secondly I would like to make a few comments about my "personal" experience with Reg Cleaners and such. "I second Drew1903's comments. CCleaner is useful and well designed utility that serves a useful purpose. Like all utility programs it needs to be used with discretion and the info on the screen needs to be "READ" before clicking on the'next' key." I have quoted "OldHobo's" remarks because he did not emphasize the critical word in his post. It is ABSOLUTELY necessary to READ what is on the screen before clicking on the next button. While reading, if there is something not understood, read about it so one can understand and make a decision, before clicking on "Next". I have had good (reg cleaner) experience with Registry First Aid for several years. I have also learned tons just from reading up on the entries that I didn't understand, so it has been a good experience for me, and I will always recommend it as a learning tool, even though it is not designed as such. Another tool, while not specifically a registry cleaner, which I like to use, is "Revo Uninstall". I does what it claims to do, and I have had no problems with it. Lastly, for Old Hobo, ccleaner is a given, especially when one considers its original name, ____ Cleaner. It does just that. Again, thanks for all the learning experiences

Yes, stay away from such things/places. Don't use such DLs.Software pricing reflects, in part, such practices. Many people pay for what some try (@ their own risk) to get for free.Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Hidoes it matter its only a computer. its not real lifeby the way drew did you enjoy your ride was it horse, motorbike or mountain bike.for what its worth if someone thinks a registry cleaner is good for them who are we to tell them there not and vice versa.malc

Motorcycle. Though I would ride horses, too, any day.Well, I feel tell them as a service... as a tip resulting in their computing experience being more favorable. Knowledge is only any good if it is share or serves some useful purpose; that might include saving ppl from ignorance which, indeed, is actually not bliss.Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Each to their own... was just wanting to share what may be some "Best Practises" garnered from experience that may well help End Users be safe, have machines that run well & clarify some uncertainties moving forward w/ their IT/computing experience(s).Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

Very cool that many ppl have looked @ this... comments & questions are always welcome.Drew - MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues

'R Z', Thank YOU! Comments like that (yours) make all my efforts worthwhile & rewarding. So gald it's appreciated. 1 (other) thing whilst I have the opportunity... I get such a laugh out of places, shops & stores, with signs out front saying "Virus Removal $80" 1. Because do they leave whatever tools used in & explain/teach the machine's owner anything to aid & empower them to keep their computer clean & healthy going forward? I'll suggest, NO. 2. The idea is actually a joke... allow me to explain... I have encountered a number of machines w/ FAKE anit-virus things; the ones that say there are a million infections BUT, if they go buy something, all can be fixed. These are incidious, vicious, phishing scams & horrid malware... trojans, worms, malware. They effectively disable machines. Now to talk about removing such things & I only use this as an example... It brings to mind the adage, "Closing the barn door after the horse is out"... Removing a 'nasty' does not fix the damage it did while it WAS there. Case in point... The tools to remove these things will not run in the infected comuter...take the HDD out & find & remove the culprit, sure... put the HDD back in its machine & gee, the thing does not work right or properly. Why? Why not, since the 'virus' has been removed? Cus it ALREADY corrupted the Reg files... in every case I've had to rebuild the machines or build new ones. 3. Malware is more of a concern that viruses. So often I find machines that may or may not have all the up-to-date Microsoft Update & something like McAfee or Norton AND NO ANTI-MALWARE!! And the End User can't figure out or imagine how their computer could possibly become sick & broken. A-V w/out A-M is never acceptable or good enough! Reminds me of XP machines w/out Defender. Windows 7 w/ MSE & maybe SpywareBlaster & Browser Guard tossed in for good measure & you're fine. But, w/out something that addresses malware, it's suicide, sooner or later. Cheers & thanks again, Drew MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues Pres. Computer Issues www.drewsci.com

Somewhere along here I should have incuded this... in the CCleaner window are 2 tabs; Windows & Applications. I never alter the defaults, not for me or my clients. Certainly, left as such, this particular utility does nothing/is nothing that avails simultaneous discussion w/ the unrecommended 'reg cleaner/fix it' things.Drew MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues Pres. Computer Issues www.drewsci.com

Excellent Advice Drew!........EXCELLENT! Thank you!

While we're taking a moment for comic refief... Remember, did you see the ads for "finallyfast.com"... maybe were only on American channels. Need I say more, eh?, LOLDrew MS Partner / MS Beta Tester / Pres. Computer Issues Pres. Computer Issues www.drewsci.com