Hi! This is my first post and it will be about Programs to protect, optimize and clean WinXp. Why?!Cause Windows sucks!!
I also use Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04.1 and it’s like..heaven 5* no problems. But like everyone knows there are many programs we need to work with that Ubuntu doesn’t support them yet cause only now is getting bigger..so we have to deal with all the “bugs” of Microsoft and vírus, spyware..and god knows what else more..soo i’m gonna leave you all with my personal list of what i think/know to be the best software you can use in your computer.

Protective, Preventive & Removal tools:

1. AVG Antivirus – One of the best free anti-virus, anti-spyware, e-mail scanner, link-scanner and resident shield to protect your computer. (freeware)

2. SpywareBlaster 4.1 – “SpywareBlaster doesn’t scan for and clean spyware – it prevents it from being installed in the first place. SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in IE, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, and many other browsers, and restrict the actions of spyware/ad/tracking sites. With the built-in Check for Updates feature, you can help ensure your protection is up-to-date. SpywareBlaster also includes a System Snapshot feature, which lets you take a snapshot of your computer in its clean state and later revert, undoing many changes made by spyware and browser hijackers.

Version 4.1 adds full Mozilla Firefox 3 support, and various feature and protection enhancements, tweaks, and optimizations. (freeware)

3. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware – Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware is an anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware. It includes a number of features, including a built in protection monitor that blocks malicious processes before they even start. Version 1.25 adds advanced technology to delete files on reboot, ability to run a truly silent install.

This program have “save me” from format WinXp twice!! Cause it was the only one who could solve my Explorer.exe error that started to appear from nothing and blocked my pc forbidding me from enter on folders and giving me fake messages to websites. So USE IT! (shareware)

4. Ad Muncher – This one is a must have tool!! Forget adblock plus, popup blocker..all of them, they’re no good! This is the only one who really blocks ads, kills unwanted popups, removes advertising in programs, prevents annoying site behaviors, blocks rich media advertising, blocks many spyware, adware and dialer installers. It have a lot of options you can personalize. Click on the link to know more. (shareware)

5. Ad-Aware 2008 – I think everyone knows this one if you don’t, Ad-aware is one of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware..don’t know others opinion..but for me it’s a good one but not one of the best like before but it stills very good..and if you have never done any clean up to your system i would recommend it too! (freeware)

6. Spybot – Search & Destroy 1.6 – It’s very good but i only recommend it on “serious cases”, be carefull. Spybot – Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations.
Version 1.6 features improved speed for on-demand scans, support for a dozen different browsers, and easier on-access use. (freeware)

Optimizing & Cleaning tools:

1. Ccleaner 2.10.618 – CCleaner is a system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It cleans: Internet Explorer (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat); Firefox (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history); Windows (Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files, and Log files); Registry cleaner (Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, and Invalid Shortcuts. So comes with a comprehensive backup feature.) Added system tray icon, added minimize to system tray option, and optimized file deletion routines. (freeware)

2. RegCure 1.5 – Protect your investment and ensure maximum PC speed and performance with RegCure registry cleaner. Compatible with all Microsoft products and third party applications, RegCure seeks out and repairs those issues in your registry that lead to poor performance such as remnants left behind on your registry from failed installations, incomplete uninstallations, disabled drivers, and spyware applications. Built with the individual preferences of our customers in mind, RegCure enables you to fix your PC’s windows registry in the way that is most comfortable for you. (shareware)

3. Revo Uninstaller 1.71 – The best program of uninstall wich lets you choose how you want to uninstall the programs and remove the crap left by them. Revo Uninstaller is a freeware innovative uninstall utility much faster than Windows Add/Remove applet. With its advanced and fast algorithm, Revo Uninstaller scans before and after you uninstall an application. After the program’s regular uninstaller runs, you can remove additional unnecessary files, folders and registry keys that are usually left over on your computer. Even if you have a broken installation, Revo Uninstaller scans for an application’s data on your hard disk drives and in the Windows registry and shows all found files, folders and registry items so you can delete them.(freeware)

4. Ultimate Defrag2008 – UltimateDefrag lets you defrag and optimize your hard drive any way you want to. Hard drive file use adheres to the Pareto Rule of 80/20. 80% of the time you only use 20% of the files on your hard drive. UltimateDefrag lets you place those unused files out of the way onto the slower tracks of your drive. UltimateDefrag also considers the high performance areas of your hard drive (the outer tracks) and enables you to strategically place the files and folders you want the best performance from to these faster outer tracks. UltimateDefrag also provides the first true disk display metaphor in a defragger.

UltimateDefrag can place Directories next to your MFT for very fast MFT/Directory transactions. This alone vastly accelerates performance of your hard drive. Clever OptiSeek Technology will organize your hard drive so that most file accesses will equal the track-to-track seek time for your hard drive. Includes over 200 total defrag method combinations. (shareware)

..That’s all. I recommend you to install all of them if you want to have your computer safe and running.
Hope it helps. Sorry for my english ..btw: remember that you need a registered version on the sharewares programs version to complete the tasks to the full.