CCleaner will clean a few more things than you've done. This is the cleaner list: Under the Issues Tab, you can clean up the registry. Under the Tools Tab, under startup, you can check out what programs are starting up and running in the backgroud. Usually there are unnecessary programs starting up and running that just slow you down. About the only thing you need to run at startup are the firewall and anti-virus and maybe a select program or two. If you do decide to download and install, on the setup watch for and uncheck to install google or find the slim version. CCleaner is a very good small program, I use it all the time.

if you want help from us then and then won't do what tasks are asked then there is no way we can help you. WE could send you to one of the support forums specific for clean up but you must run the scans and tasks that are asked for us to see what is on the machine if we don't know then there is no way to help clean it. If zep is asking you to run something you can rest assured it is NOT something to hurt you it is to see what you have lurking on the pc. There is a difference between antivirus programs and all the other things you mentioned. You can only have one Antivirus program running at a time you have MSE that is fine. You can have several other anti malware programs on the pc because they do not run till you start them up and run a scan you only do one at a time. Malwarebytes is great be sure you update it prior to running the full scan weekly, another is superantispyware also update prior to running full scan. The other thing you should have is spywareblaster you just open it weekly and hit the update button then hit enable all protection so the shield turns green that is it it sits there and does it's thing. I would also suggest putting WOT on your browsers so you are warned if a site has a bad reputation or is dangerous. Use this tool regularly to check for updates to other things on your pc , the majority of infections today are happening because of not updating your flash, java, adobe etc programs they must be updated and so must windows so do all those updates. Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) run online virus scans occasionally to see if they find something your MSE missed ESET�s Free Online Scanner You want to quarantine because if it happens to be something that was needed then you can go back and get it, when they are in quarantine you need not worry about them just leave them alone. If you would feel better going to a support forum for help in examining what you are dealing with here is the link, you will need to register there and post your question in this forum area. I am there also if you need help let me know. Analysis and Malware Removal If you read through some of the posts there you will see how many people are helped and are thankful for that kind of free assistance.

Thanks, ravencajun. I have seen you mention DriveImage XML before and looked at that. I had this silly idea that Windows Backup would know if there were any "hidden" settings and get those, too. I have used the drag & drop method in the past before wiping the disk and reinstalling Windows. I managed to get everything I needed, but I have a few old apps that don't seem to know about /Documents and Settings. I'm always afraid I'll miss something. Isn't it silly that Microsoft doesn't have an easily accessible backup utility? I had to go get this one off the installation disk, as it doesn't install automatically with XP Home.

be sure if you run a defrag that you have all your other programs off in other words don't try to be doing anything else while it does the defrag that will slow it down, turn off the screen saver that can cause it to stop, anything that could start running could interfere with it which is why as Zep said sometimes it is better to run it in safe mode so that just the minimal is running. Sometimes they will not run if you do not have enough free space on your hard drive also. a defrag will take a long time especially on a pc that has not been defraged in a long time so you might want to let it run at night, you can also disconnect it from the internet while running the defrag.