improving performance of Windows Installs

[funhousegroup]

Does anyone know of a software solution for cleaning up windows and improving all possible services and functions without risking damage or deletion of critical OS files? I have used various utilities in the past( system mechanic, tec.) without really being impressed. On one ocasion my freind seemed to destroy some reg files using SysMech. Also how about Windows Hotfixes,
Thanks, FH

[mjc]

There is no one item the will do it all. That is one of the problems with Sys Mec.

As for Windows hotfixes/patches....you need them. They plug the security holes in windows.

[wiltrot]

Without a doubt, there is no one utility software that does it all. I use Webroot's Window Washer 4.7 for cleaning all my Internet traffic. It also cleans any history of credit card numbers and passwords and has a cool feature call "Anding bleach" which will overwrite files a set number of times. I use Ultra Win Cleaner 2000 for moving files and folders and for uninstalling those items that don't have an uninstaller wizard. Its come in handy a few times. I was working on someone's computer that had Win98 but was still using FAT16. When I tried to convert, it said that Norton AV was not compatible with FAT32. So I went to uninstall it but it couldn't find the uninstaller. Needless to say I was impressed with how well it worked. I use Regclean for cleaning the registry and so far as I'm concerned there's been no problems. I've used Norton's Systemworks and System Mechanic and they both have caused problems. ZoneAlarm Pro for firewall, AVG Pro for AV and they both have been great. And also I use Spyware Blaster (recommended by mjc), and it seems to be doing its job. Well, there you have it, for what's worth, my opinion. :)

[funhousegroup]

Are there Win Hotfixes for speeding up a system or stabalizing it. If so can I get them from MS or are there more third party hotfixes,
Thanks, FunhOuSegRoUp

[wiltrot]

The only ones I know of and care to use are the ones from Windows Update.