asidman

Using Glary Utilities to cleanup your PC
Download & Install Glary Utilities (Free Version) from http://www.glaryutilities.com/ . You may upgrade to Pro if you feel the need after using the utilities.

During installation when encountering the following screen, make sure that you untick the 2 boxes, this is not required. Tick the bottom one first then the top one. Once installed, make sure you are connected to the internet to run an update.


Updating the definitions – Once the program launches, click on the “Status” tab on the top.


In the status menu, click on the “Check for Updates” button to update the Spyware definitions


It will then download a small file (about 120KB)
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2717/gu04.jpg

Using the application to run a clean up.
“1-Click Maintenance”

This is the easiest way to clean out some junk. I will discuss the various options

1. Registry Cleaner – I would not recommend choosing this option, as registry cleaning can actually cause more problems than they fix. (Default setting: enabled)
2. Shortcuts Fixer - Scans all your desktop & start menu shortcuts for invalid ones (Default setting: enabled)
3. Startup Manager – Scans your Startup enries for any malicious software, etc (Default setting: enabled)
4. Temporary Files Cleaner – Cleans out all temporary installation files, etc (Default setting: enabled)
5. Tracks Eraser – While not a default setting, I would recommend doing this clear out any potentially malicious cookies as well as clearing up your cache. You must choose which tracks you wish to erase by click in on the options menu. (Default setting: disabled)
6. Spyware remover – While not the ultimate solution for Spyware removal, it will help if you have not been aware of certain spyware. For proper Spyware removal click here - http://www.techsupportforum.com/secu...oval-help.html - This is TSF’s own spyware removal section. Here you will be assisted by a qualified team of professionals.

For first time use run the scan with the recommended as per the above screenshot. Once complete, you will be presented with a screen like this where you can now choose what action must be taken:


You can now check the details of each section and choose to leave certain sections or files as they are. See below example:


Once you have chosen which problems to repair, and what to leave, click on the Repair Problems button. It will then repair what you have chosen and show a screen as below



Advanced option (Modules)
There are various advanced modules that can be used.

The first section is “Clean Up & Repair” This contains four modules:


1) Disk Cleaner - This module scans for junk on your HDD’s that you choose, as well as remove Windows components that are not used. As with everything in Glary, you can also undo any changes should you experience problems.


Below is an example of what is scanned


2) Registry Cleaner – I do not recommend this and will therefore not discuss this option

3) Shortcuts Fixer – This would have been run in the 1-click Maintenance section. Revisit here should you wish to at a later stage.


4) Uninstall manager – this is a much more reliable version of the Windows uninstaller. However for a more advance Uninstaller, I would recommend Revo Uninstaller.


The second section is the “Optimize & Improve” section which also consists of 4 modules:


1) Startup Manager – A very effective startup manager which gives each entry a rating based on various factors as well as the ability to see what it does on the internet. One of my favorite setting is change the startup delay for all the entries.


2) Memory Optimizer – This module allows you to free up your memory and clear the clipboard. It also gives you an option for this module to load at startup and auto optimize if you have a small amount of memory


3) Context Menu Manager – Allows you to remove entries you no longer want on you context(right click) menu.


4) Registry Defrag – Not recommended – I will not discuss this module


The third section is “Privacy & Security” which also has 4 modules

1) Tracks eraser – Allows you to clear any possible private info in your internet & local files.


2) File Shredder – Permanently delete private data. Cannot be retrieved!! An extra nice feature is the ability to wipe the PC’s free space – i.e. completely clean the free space on you HDD.



3) File Undelete – If you have deleted a file accidentally, this module will try to recover it. It cannot however recover the above shredded files or recover files if you have used the above free space wipe!









4) File encrypter/decrypter - This module allows you to stop snooping eyes from looking at your private data































The fourth section is “Files & Folders” which once again also has 4 modules 


1) Disk Analysis – this module allows you check where the majority of your disk space is being used.
















2) Duplicate Files Finder – Get rid of unnecessary duplicate files


3) Empty Folders – Get rid of empty folders clogging up your indexing


4) File Splitter & Joiner – Split files to put on multiple discs or flash drives and join at destination PC

The fifth and final section is “System Tools” which consists of 2 modules with the addition of another module which provides access to important Windows’ own tools.

1) Process Manager – Is an advanced Task Manager with the nice touch of a “Google it” button












2) Internet Explorer Assistant – Have more control of your IE


3) Windows Standard Tools – Convenient access to your favorite tools that actually do work well.

simpswr

Nice article . . Have you used ccleaner? . . how would you compare the two?

sobeit

I have them both installed and been testing them both for the last couple of weeks. For my use, no difference. I ran one after the other and the other way around and they seem to do just about the same.

simpswr

Thanks . .

asidman

Hey simpswr

HAve used both at one stage or another. And to be honest they do share some common features and pick up the same things. Glary as far as i have experienced has picked up more after a ccleaner scan, than the other way around. Besides that i like the other tools that it has. It's interface is also a bit more friendly on the eye... ccleaner tends to be too busy for me...or is that my imagination

I was actually still busy when i accidentally clicked submit instead of preview...now my edit time is up
Actually have all the other images, lying in imageshack, but since its up have a look thru, but just excuse the missing images & bad formatting

Has anyone else worked with this utility

simpswr

I'm partial to the portable version of ccleaner . . it will do it's think without being installed. I am shy about puting utilities like this on client pc's for fear they will run it without knowing what they are doing.

I wondered if there were images missing!!

JohnthePilot

@asidman. Can you put the missing images in so that this can go for publishing?

asidman

Sorry John, been a bit reoccupied with work lately...will look at it when i get on the net at home

carsey

asidman, when you get the chance can you complete the images please. Dont worry if its not anytime soon as we all know work has piority.