I don't understand computers please help

[cgnu02]

If you only answer one question can you please just type what question its in response to. You can keep it short I don't need super deep explanations I'm just trying to better understand somethings. (defragging is maybe the only exception) Answer as much as you want, but please dont just troll

Stupid Question 1.) Can I make constantly changing files hidden? (ex. some random log file or something) will it still function properly? Would any files/folders be effected negatively by such a change?

Stupid Question 2.) Why do we have folder file "Program Files" & " Program Files x86". Does it matter if I save program files in other folders (besides the obvious organizational loss). If I saved the folders to my desktop they would run slower right? I remember someone saying not to bave much data on your desktop... Not that I want to I'd just like a clear answer on this.

Stupid Question 3.) I use CCleaner and they have Scan/Fix Registry. What is this doing? How often should I run this?

Stupid Question 4.) When I delete items on my computer I've always been told fragments of the memory stay on the computer? Does defragging get rid of these fragments? Is defraging something else? What is defragging? I've read about it before, but i really don't think i've ever got it. How often should/can I run a defrag. If I'm running windows on bootcamp (MAC) will I have to do it differently?

Stupid Question 5.) To update a driver do I have to first uninstall the driver? I feel like I've read this is recommended, but wouldn't the installation program just do it self?

StupidQuestion 6.) Turn Windows Auto Updates on or OFF

Stupid Question 7.) Why does Java have an update every 30secounds <_<


What are the BEST PC "utility" programs or websites you have use (Money is not an issue) . Anything that improves UI, Spyware removal malware removal, organizing tools

<3

[HeroicXPharaoh]

Hey, I will be glad to help you
There is 1 solution to all those problems
Delete system32
Good luck

[Euphemistic]

Hey, I will be glad to help you
There is 1 solution to all those problems
Delete system32
Good luck

******, he just said don't troll.

@cgnu02 , I would be glad to help you, but I can't atm.

I can answer some though.

For #3. It removes reduntant items from your Windows Registry.

#4. Yes, defragging helps improves your computer. You should run it once a week.
#6. It's best if you turn them off. It slows down your computer. Also, you don't want it popping out when you're playing games saying you need to update stuff from Microsoft.
#7. Skip it. Deny it. If you're still not sure if you're on the latest version, check out their website.


Last one,Get Kaspersky or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.


Hope I helped you though.

[cgnu02]

Thanks Brinley, That was helpful

feel free to help out guys with

Questions 1, 2, 5

and

What are the BEST PC "utility" programs or websites you have use (Money is not an issue) . Anything that improves UI, Spyware removal malware removal, organizing tools

<3 <3

[Heartview]

If you only answer one question can you please just type what question its in response to. You can keep it short I don't need super deep explanations I'm just trying to better understand somethings. (defragging is maybe the only exception) Answer as much as you want, but please dont just troll

Stupid Question 1.) Can I make constantly changing files hidden? (ex. some random log file or something) will it still function properly? Would any files/folders be effected negatively by such a change?

Stupid Question 2.) Why do we have folder file "Program Files" & " Program Files x86". Does it matter if I save program files in other folders (besides the obvious organizational loss). If I saved the folders to my desktop they would run slower right? I remember someone saying not to bave much data on your desktop... Not that I want to I'd just like a clear answer on this.

Stupid Question 3.) I use CCleaner and they have Scan/Fix Registry. What is this doing? How often should I run this?

Stupid Question 4.) When I delete items on my computer I've always been told fragments of the memory stay on the computer? Does defragging get rid of these fragments? Is defraging something else? What is defragging? I've read about it before, but i really don't think i've ever got it. How often should/can I run a defrag. If I'm running windows on bootcamp (MAC) will I have to do it differently?

Stupid Question 5.) To update a driver do I have to first uninstall the driver? I feel like I've read this is recommended, but wouldn't the installation program just do it self?

StupidQuestion 6.) Turn Windows Auto Updates on or OFF

Stupid Question 7.) Why does Java have an update every 30secounds <_<


What are the BEST PC "utility" programs or websites you have use (Money is not an issue) . Anything that improves UI, Spyware removal malware removal, organizing tools

<3

1. You should be able to yeah. Though I dont know why you would want to.
2. You have a 64 bit OS. Any 64 bit programs will be thrown in Program Files, and pretty much everything else will get dropped into the x86 one.
2.5 Installing a program or what have you with the directory in the desktop wont hurt anything, though again, I dont even know if you can or why you would want to. Just leave the default program files dir unless you have multiple drives you use to organize stuff. Than just pick a folder on whatever drive you want to install to. And no, the amount of items on your desktop wont effect speed directly. The files are on the drive, regardless of where, and are therefore slowing down your drive just as much.
3. Not too often. Its unlikely that it would damage something, but its a possibility. I wouldnt really bother running it at all tbh, unless it came up with a very large number of entries.
4. Tricky to explain given that what you say is only half right. But ill explain defraging first. Basically whenever you install something or add files to your computer, its saved in different areas of the platter inside your HDD. This means that the head reading the data has to jump all over the platter while its spinning to read the data it needs. Fragged files are ones that are broken up in different blocks and are not together on the physical platter, meaning the head has to move more, decreasing read times and increasing wear on your drive. Defragging simply moves all the blocks closer together so the head moves less to read each block of data. This is not really necessary on larger drives, say 256GB+ unless fragmentation is above say 15%. DO NOT TRY TO DEFRAG SSDS. They do not ever need it and the only thing you will accomplish is wearing your drive down for no reason.
-as a subnote, whenever you delete a file from Windows, all you are doing is deleting the registry reference so windows no longer recognizes data there. However the data is physically still on the drive. Programs like Recuva can reclaim recently deleted files, so long as Windows has not written over top of the data on the disk (seeing as how it thinks nothing is there)
5. Depends on the driver you are installing, but Win7 automatically installs most drivers itself. But yes it is reccomended to uninstall old drivers first. Weather you need to do this manually or not depends on the installer of whatever driver you are updating.
6. On. Set it to remind you or do it automatically. Yes they can be annoying, but they are also important. Keep your OS up to date.
7. Because you havnt disabled Java which you should do.

As for your last question, the only things besides routine running of these programs and common sense you need are these:
Microsoft Security Essentials (preference, Avast works fine, Ive heard good things about AVG, just stay away from Norton and Mcaffe. MSE also has mostly all features of the other AV's, except MSS is completely free)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Free to use, paid version comes with scheduled scans. Free version is all you need. Just run this and MSS at least once a month.
CCleaner
Defraggler if you have an older or much smaller drive

As for anything else, it just depends on what your looking for.

[xpingu]

Install Gentoo

[alecwolf]

When files are deleted they arent really deleted they are just removed from the operating systems recognition until overwritten with new data.. There is actually a part in CCleaner that overwrites this free space with the 0 method and other method. There is also a software called Eraser.