Windows XP end of support .. ( April 8 2014 )

What is Windows XP end of support?

Microsoft has provided support for Windows XP for the past 12 years. But now the time has come for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources toward supporting more recent technologies so that we can continue to deliver great new experiences.

As a result, after April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date. (If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates for a limited time, but this does not mean that your PC will be secure because Microsoft will no longer be providing security updates to protect your PC.)

automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing

If you continue to use Windows XP after support ends, your computer will still work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter greater numbers of apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP.

For more info on this visit Microsoft End Support Help

Durbangeek  ~ IT Solutions  |  Durban, South Africa  |  http://www.durbangeek.co.za 

Housekeeping with Ccleaner - How to Use the Cleaner and Registry options.

Lets do some Housekeeping with Ccleaner - Lets get started

1:Open CCleaner.

2: Lets Start off by cleaning your temp files, History Cookies Index.dat files etc. (By default the brush is already selected)

3:Uncheck the items that you'd do not want to clean out from your browser(s) and any suggested applications. Under Internet explorer check temporary internet files, cookies, and last download location. Most users don't really need this stuff. It is up to you if you want to clear the cache of  history and bookmarks Index.dat files. Leave Windows Explorer, System, and Advanced at the default settings.

4: Run CCleaner and it will start deleting files

 

 5:Click "Run Cleaner"  once again  until you get 0 bytes remove


Now that you have removed all the unwanted files you can move onto cleaning the registry

The Registry Cleaner

Use the Registry Cleaner after uninstalling programs, as the uninstalled programs will often leave behind incorrect registry entries. The registry cleaner is recommended for slightly more advanced users.
   
1:Click the Registry tab on the left hand side of the program window.

2:Check off the items want to clean.(leave at default if you are not sure)

3:Click the "Scan for issues" button at the bottom of the program.

 (Give the program a few moments to run and look for all potential problems with the registry.)
 

4: Click the "Fix Selected issues" button.
 

5: Create a backup copy of the registry file.  (I have never encountered a problem with ccleaner, its probably  one of the safest registry cleaners out there. Just create a back up for your peace of mind.)

6: Click the "Fix All Selected Issues" when a dialog box displays.
 

7: Now continue to repeat the process  from point 3 again until you get a message that reads "No issues found" ( Fixing one issue may create other issues so just repeat until you get the 'no issues found' )
 

8: You are now done and close your Ccleaner window.

Tools

Have a look at how to remove /disable unwanted start up items from your PC with Ccleaner.
Tools - Startup Tab