"Windows XP was harder to maintain than Windows Vista or 7. My process was as follows:
Windows Updates Hardware driver updates Application Updates (microsoft office, browser plugins, etc.) Data abstraction / organization and Backup (keep my saved data, such as documents, photos, etc. stored in a separate folder which I could quickly back up) Malware protection updates & maintenance, including antivirus and software firewall Annual Overhaul (see below)
I also did an annual 'Overhaul'. Once per year, I would do the following:
Backup all data Wipe hard drive by doing a Zero-fill, and reformat. Perform any hardware updates and upgrades if I needed them. Examples included: BIOS updates, RAM upgrades, hard drive upgrades, and video upgrades. Hardware cleaning -- a lot of dust can build up in the system over 1 year, so getting a 30psi or greater air compressor and blowing the thing out will help to keep it cool and quiet, and extend the life of your components. Reinstall Windows XP fresh, and get all latest drivers and updates Install only applications I would use (I was always surprised by how much I had installed after a year, yet how little I actually used)
When Windows Vista came out, I have actually changed my process somewhat. First, I actually don't use third-party antivirus or firewall software anymore. I'm pretty careful about what I download and what websites I visit, and for over 2 years, I've been virus free :) Obviously this isn't ideal for everyone -- especially anyone who has a PC used by more than one person, or somebody with kids.
Second, Vista seems to do a MUCH better job of maintaining its performance levels compared to Windows XP, which would get slow over time. I will do a defrag from time-to-time, but beyond that, Vista doesn't seem to need the reinstall like XP did.
"Turn off autoplay - both on fixed and removable drives - you can use Tweak UI for that. Keep all of your software updated. Don't download anything from untrusted sources, think twice before executing anything downloaded."
"create 'good' drive image, this is particularly handy when you have your drive partitioned (divided between system and user files).
and you can't go wrong making it a habit to run 'untrusted' applications (which is pretty much anything imternet related) in a virtualized environment."
"Besides Windows Update, running antivirus regularly (about once a week), and keeping drivers updated, use at least one system cleaner. CCleaner and Advanced System Care 3 are two excellent cleaners that I use regularly and highly recommend.
Also, once in a while, make sure to defrag your disk(s), and run Disk Cleanup (a native tool in Windows to help keep your disks clean). Disk Cleanup is found by clicking My Computer, right-clicking your primary disk (or partition), often called 'Local Disk', and then ""Disk Cleanup"", to the below right of the pie chart. If you go to the second tab in the dialog box that opens, you have the option to delete all but the most recent Restore point, which can be a real space saver, depending on how much software you install and uninstall, etc..."
