Do you ever get the feeling that computer performance just simply degrades over time, and there is nothing you can do about it? I'm not just talking about speed; after a while, my computers always seem to develop crazy little quirks. I try to do regular maintenance, i.e. defrag, avoid viruses, use AV & firewall software, keeping it up to date, etc. It doesn't seem to matter.

Like right now, my computer is doing some things. For instance, if I have a window maximized, sometimes I'll notice that the status bar of the window is hidden behind the task bar. If I right-click on the task bar, and toggle the "lock taskbar" option, then the window corrects itself. But it always happens again soon later, and so I have to toggle "lock taskbar" again.

I honestly don't know what to do for a problem like that, so I just sort of live with it. But then the problems tend to pile up. Now, some of my games are freezing for no apparent reason. They'll take 10-30 seconds to unfreeze. With one game, I actually have to restart the computer.

So, now I've gotten to the point where the problems are bad enough that I'm this --><-- close to wiping out everything and reinstalling XP. I seem to get to this point every year or so. Is this normal or am I terrible at maintaining my PC?

Back when I used Windows XP (years ago), I can remember little quirks surfacing after prolonged usage; I'd have to reformat every nine months or so. I haven't experienced any quirkiness with Windows Vista and Windows Seven nor have I needed to reinstall or reformat in the three or four years I've been using them. (Although from time to time I get this urge to wipe my hard drive clean and start anew; probably just instinctive :P)

Maybe you should do the same and ditch Windows XP?

I could be wrong, but from what I've heard, registry is the main culprit.

so yeah, after a while, it require formatting.

Yeah, I've noticed this on every Windows computer I've ever used, including Windows 7. Actually, I've found that Windows 7 systems degrade even quicker when subjected to heavy and advanced usage. Of course, this is just my limited experience.

I believe it is directly proportional to the amount of (resident or not) programs you've installed. I've only 30 folders in my Start->Programs folder and this XP did it just fine for the last year and half.

The installations of Vista I've seen become unstandably slow after a few months. I can't speak for 7 because I haven't seen it yet.

I've been on the same XP install for about 2-3 years with no issues.

Notes:
1) make sure your hardware is clean (no dust)
2) get CCleaner and uninstall any programs you don't actually use
3) with CCleaner again, remove all startup programs that you don't actually need to startup with windows
4) with CCleaner once again, have it clean your HDD from all temporary files and whatever else it deems to be crap
5) with CCleaner for the 4th time, have it fully clean up your registry (you may need to do this several times because cleaning a certain part of the registry may open up other parts and pieces that need to be cleaned up)
6) get rid of any stuff on your desktop that you don't actually need

Uninstall conficker

Quote: Original post by Hodgman
Uninstall conficker

Never! Call it Stockholm syndrome but the little guy has grown on me.

Yeah I tend to format a lot. Haven't formatted Windows 7 since I installed it though the day it came up on MSDNAA. I haven't seen the slow down that I saw with XP. I'd format my laptop like ever year when I used that.

I've always found it odd how installs aren't sandboxed or something.

I hate installing Windows. Some years ago, I made an image of a clean XP install (with a linux live CD and dd). It only takes five minutes to restore it.

I have a similar stuff with Firefox. It started a few days ago: There's a small halt/lag every few seconds (10-20). It can be noticed everywhere, mouse/keyboard events, video playing.
Is it possible, that I have a spy program on my system? Maybe a screenshot is sent every 20 minutes to some terrorists who will take over the world using the info stolen from me.