Cleaning Windows XP For Dummies (Paperback)

~ Allen Wyatt (Author) "A computer is nothing but a tool..." (more)
Key Phrases: cleaning your system, installed program list, orphan data, Control Panel, Internet Explorer, Recycle Bin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

* This wide-ranging guide helps ordinary users fight back against Windows slowdowns, glitches, and annoyances
* Windows is the world's dominant desktop operating system, with 93.8 percent of the market as of 2002
* Packed with savvy tips for decluttering a system, speeding up access to programs and data, customizing the interface, rooting out resource hogs, tuning up e-mail and Web browser performance, protecting against viruses, and more
* Focuses on Windows XP and covers the new Service Pack 2, but many techniques are applicable to older Windows versions

From the Back Cover

Streamline your system and safeguard your computer

Eliminate unused programs, organize data, dump stale cookies, and pick up speed

If you can brew a pot of coffee while your programs load, it’s time to clean the Windows! Here's how to clear out stuff you don't need, create an orderly desktop, scrub away Internet gunk, and keep your system clutter-free by setting up a regular cleaning schedule. Through sparkling clean Windows, you’ll see faster, safer computing that’s a lot more fun.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Make your programs run faster
• Archive old data and remove duplicate files
• Eliminate spyware and adware
• Manage Internet information safely
• Shut down unused services
• Optimize Service Pack 2's security features

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (September 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076457549X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764575495
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #19 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Operating Systems > Windows XP
  #81 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Operating Systems > Windows NT
  #85 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Operating Systems > Windows NT Server

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book I Wish I'd Written, October 6, 2004

By	Leo A. Notenboom "Ask Leo!" (Woodinville, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I run a technical support web site, and this is a book I'd wish I'd written. Since Allen got to it first, I expect I'll be pointing people to it frequently as I answer their questions.

One of the major reasons Windows becomes unstable over time is something I've heard referred to as "software rot". Do nothing but use your computer in normal ways, and over time, it will slow down, and possibly even become unstable. The system will "rot" out from underneath you.

Cleaning Windows XP for Dummies is a great step-by-step guide to not only "cleaning up" your Windows programs, data, processes, disks and more, but more importantly, keeping your system clean and preventing that rot from happening. It's as much about slightly altering how you use your computer to keep it clean, as much as it is about that initial remedial clean-up.

Advanced topics include how Windows uses memory, getting a handle on Security, Windows Networking, the Windows Registry and more. The book closes with 4 "Top Ten" lists ranging from troubleshooting ideas to online resources.

The book is an easy read, and targeted at the novice or less experienced user. There are plenty of examples, as well as warnings along the way when you might venture into areas that require caution.

I've always been a little leery of the "for dummies" types of books. I've been concerned that they would take too simplistic an approach for the material to actually be useful in the long run. I'm happy to say that Cleaning Windows XP for Dummies is not only a useful how-to book for the average user interested in getting the most out of Windows XP, but will also serve as a handy reference for the life of your Windows XP installation.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book Ok, but beware of recommendations, February 9, 2007

By	FRANCISCO TESTOR FDEZ DE C (Santiago Chile) - See all my reviews

There are lots of tips and resources to make windows XP run faster and to clean the harddrive.

Unfortunately one of the recommended programs for doing most of the things for you is System Mechanic (do not forget to read all the comments for this software in Amazon -at the moment 20 ratings with one star for the version 7- I wish I had read them prior to use it) which made my windows work worse than before and broke most of links of programs with the System Registry.

Good Luck.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners, September 6, 2006

By	C. Alley "video-gamer & music geek" (Martinez, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First, let me start by saying I am an intermediate computer user and I purchased this book in tandem with "Master Visually - Optimizing PC Performance" by Joe Kraynak.

This book, "Cleaning Windows XP For Dummies" is a fine read. It has plenty of useful information and is well written and concise. The only catch is that it really is made for a computer novice. Wyatt does an excellent job of writing for someone who is not very familiar with how Windows XP really works, but anyone with an average knowledge of computing may find this book a little simplistic (as the title implies).

For someone who has very little computer knowledge (especially with Windows XP) I would recommend this book. If you are looking for something that goes just a little bit more in depth and is not quite as "dumbed-down" I would point you towards the book I referenced previously.