there is this tool called Glary Utilities, I think it is free and it pretty much does the same job as CCleaner as far as I remember, check that out if you're interested

depends on what you mean by "optimizer" :D

ccleaner is good, but it only deletes obsolete files (temporary files) and you can use it to clean up your registry (but I don't think this affects performance much)

try getting defraggler (from the makers of ccleaner) to defragment your HDD, that might help a bit (but be sure to have at least 20 % of your discs free otherwise it will run for a VERY LONG TIME)

in regards of "bad code", you might try adaware, spybot and also free antivirus avast! (it's free for home use)

as far as I recall, all the "optimizer" softwares do is just that = they clean your temps, optimize your registry and possibly defragment your discs... they usually just do what you might do yourself, but in a pretty user interface :o)

if you want to get some heavier weapons, try AOMEI Partition Assistant (again, free for home use) and do a full scan of all your hard drives

but bear in mind = to get the ABSOLUTELY BEST results of all this, you should have a clean Windows installation, as nothing runs as quickly and flawlessly as a clean, fresh Windows... (for a couple of months at least :)

1
"Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools" -> Defragment & Optimize Drives

2
Do a check Disk:
CMD (run as admin)-> chkdsk c: /r /f etc


3
Or format and reinstall again the os: Win 7 x86 /32 bits (depends on available memory)

Ultra defrag:
http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/en/index.html

Super anti-spyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html

Whoops, sorry I mean Disk Defrag is what I'm looking for. sorry for the confusion

You might have some spyware/adware installed that will slow down your computer; I recently scanned my GF's computer with Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) and it seemed to work well on one nasty browser hijacker in particular. Give it a try?

I suggest you backup all your stuff and do a complete reinstall of Windows 7.
After a few years Windows just becomes contaminated by usage, at least every two years I will always give my computer a good scrubbing.

It does if you install and uninstall a lot of stuff. The amount of shit that installers and uninstallers will often leave behind is astounding. Firewall rules for apps that no longer exist, filename extensions leading to software no longer installed, the list goes on.

It's amazing the difference that a CCleaner run through, a disk scan and a defrag will do for performance.

well, it's true I've never tried these softwares on a computer that has never, EVER been cleaned :D

If I missed it sorry but I swear by MalWare Bytes. It won't do everything and obviously you still need a good defrager but for spyware, adware, and just shit you don't need it's a must.

fresh OS re-install is the best cleaner

agreed, but to learn to clean your computer on a regular basis is the basic rule to keep you from reinstalling you OS every 6 months :o)

true :)

And it's FREE too.